What is a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)?
A DVM is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, the graduate degree required to legally practice veterinary medicine and treat animals in most U.S. states including Colorado.
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is the terminal professional degree earned by veterinarians who diagnose and treat health problems in animals. In Colorado, holding a DVM from an accredited veterinary school is a legal requirement to practice veterinary medicine and obtain a Colorado veterinary license.
Earning a DVM typically requires four years of graduate education at an accredited veterinary school, plus prerequisite coursework completed during undergraduate studies. The curriculum covers animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgery, internal medicine, and clinical practice across multiple animal species. Graduates must then pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and meet Colorado state licensing requirements before opening a practice or working at an animal hospital.
The DVM credential differs from a veterinary technician (CVT or LVT license), which requires less education and allows techs to perform certain tasks under a veterinarian's supervision, such as lab work and radiography. It also differs from specialty credentials (Diplomate status) that veterinarians earn through additional residency training in fields like surgery, dermatology, or internal medicine. Most general veterinary providers in Denver hold a DVM and may specialize further depending on their training and interests.