Is becoming a veterinary acupuncturist right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming a veterinary acupuncturist is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a veterinary acupuncturist or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become a Veterinary Acupuncturist
Becoming a veterinary acupuncturist requires significant time and dedication, but it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career for those who are passionate about providing alternative or complementary therapies for animals.
To become a veterinary acupuncturist, you will typically need to complete the following steps:
- Obtain a veterinary degree: To become a veterinary acupuncturist, you must first become a licensed veterinarian. This typically requires earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or a Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree from an accredited veterinary school.
- Gain clinical experience: After completing veterinary school, you will need to gain some clinical experience by working as a veterinarian in a variety of settings. This will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose and treat a wide range of animal health conditions.
- Complete acupuncture training: To become a veterinary acupuncturist, you will need to complete specialized training in acupuncture. This typically involves completing a post-graduate acupuncture program that is approved by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) or the Chi Institute. These programs typically require several hundred hours of training and cover topics such as acupuncture points, needling techniques, and acupuncture treatment plans.
- Obtain certification: After completing acupuncture training, you may be eligible to become certified in veterinary acupuncture by organizations such as the IVAS or the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA). Certification typically involves passing an exam and meeting other requirements such as completing a certain number of acupuncture treatments.
- Maintain licensure and certification: Once you become a veterinary acupuncturist, you will need to maintain your licensure as a veterinarian and your certification in veterinary acupuncture by completing continuing education courses and meeting other requirements as set forth by the licensing board and certifying organization.