Residency Application & General Information

General Information

The Veterinary Medical Centers (VMCs) within the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, offer more than 50 house officer training positions each year. The school’s house officer program remains the world’s largest, boasting 133 trainees in 39 specialty disciplines. Residents undertaking 3-year programs comprise the majority of participants. The residents serve in areas from equine surgery to ophthalmology to dairy production medicine, learning from boarded specialists while practicing on caseloads intensive enough to provide advanced training.

In general, minimum qualifications for a residency training program include graduation from an approved School of Veterinary Medicine and a one-year internship or equivalent practice experience. Qualifications for internships and fellowships vary depending on the specific service involved. The selection process will consider academic achievement, career objectives, letters of recommendation, interpersonal skills, clinical skills, interest in teaching, and relevant experience. Applications from graduates of foreign veterinary schools are also considered, provided that they meet the minimum requirements specified above and proficiency in English as well as being eligible for a J1 or TN visa.

House officers are usually not permitted to work toward an advanced degree during their training program. However, Dairy Production and Food Animal Reproduction/Herd Health residency programs provide an opportunity for the resident to obtain a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degree. Following successful completion of the house officer training program, a certificate is awarded. It is anticipated that residency training programs will fulfill, in part, the eligibility requirements for specialty board certification in most disciplines. The majority of the house officer's time is spent in their specialty at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital* where they will participate in patient care or clinical diagnostics and teach veterinary students under the direct supervision of a faculty member in that specialty. Residents in Laboratory Animal/Primate Medicine are assigned to the Center for Laboratory Animal Science, the California National Primate Research Center, the Comparative Pathology Laboratory, and the Animal Care and Use Committee. Residents in Dairy Production Medicine are based at the Veterinary Medical Teaching and Research Center in Tulare.

Depending on specialty Board requirements, remaining time may be used for seminars, rounds, research, elective rotations in other specialties to provide broader personal advancement, and for vacations. As in most advanced training programs, much of the benefit derived from our training programs is directly related to the effort the candidate expends. It is anticipated that each house officer will present in rounds discussions and seminars each year, and author at least one manuscript for publication. House officers are required to present the findings of their research at our annual Veterinary Internship and Resident Research Symposium.

The VMCs are committed to building strong relationships with their constituents. A major part of the house officer's duties, therefore, include timely communications with referring veterinarians and clients. All house officers in receiving services are required to hold a valid California license (full California license or University veterinary license) in order to be employed as a veterinarian in the VMCs.

House officers with after-hour and on call duties may be required to be able to arrive at the Hospital within 15-20 minutes of an emergency call; therefore, House Officers should plan to live within reasonable mileage of the Hospital, however each service will have specific expectations.

Resident training programs are for two to four years, and internships or fellowship programs are for one to two years. The initial appointment to multi-year programs is for one year, with continuation in the program for successive years contingent upon satisfactory performance. The current salary for the first year resident is $TBD. Benefits include 24 days of vacation each year, and health, dental and vision insurance.

SPECIAL NOTE: All veterinarians practicing in our state, including those employed by the University of California, must hold a current California veterinary license. If a selected applicant does not already hold a current California veterinary license, they must apply with the California Veterinary Medical Board to obtain their California State Veterinarian License or University license as soon as possible after acceptance to a program. Our House Officer Coordinator will provide licensing information to selected candidates. Licensing fees are not paid by the program and are the responsibility of the candidate.

Residency Program Applications:

House Officer positions are critical positions and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.
Candidates should be US citizens, US permanent residents, or foreign nationals eligible for a J1 scholar visa (and at the time of application not be subject to holds, bars or in-country rules) or Canadian/ Mexican citizens eligible for a TN visa. We will NOT pursue other visa categories. Candidates will be expected to pay for their visa fees. The offer of a residency may be withdrawn if written evidence of a visa is not provided by July 1, 2024.
Information for Foreign Applicants

Application outside of VIRMP matching program:

1. a completed UCD-VMTH application form that includes a letter of intent
2. transcripts from veterinary school(s) (an official English translation must be included )
3. three letters of recommendation
4. a curriculum vitae
5. letter of intent

Send materials electronically to the House Officer Program Coordinator, with the program you are applying to and your name in the subject line. (vmthhouseofficerapplication@ucdavis.edu)

The application deadlines for programs outside of VIRMP match are:

Radiology: Nov. 4, 2023

Equine Integrative Sports Medicine: TBD

Equine Field Service Internship: March 4, 2024 (Applications received after to be reviewed on a rolling basis)

Ophthalmology: Nov. 13, 2023

All other application deadlines will be 9:00PM EST, January 8, 2024.

Applicants for programs that utilize the match should follow the instructions on the virmp.org website.

Programs utilizing the VIRMP match will not require the separate institution application for UC Davis. All materials should be sent directly to the VIRMP website.

Recruitment dates and deadlines for the house officer programs are described on the VIRMP website. Please read carefully as some positions have earlier deadlines for submission of applications.

For application questions please contact:

House Officer Program Coordinator
University of California
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
One Garrod Drive
Davis, California 95616-8747

The VMCs do not offer programs which qualify individuals to meet California State or National Board exams, nor does the residency program meet the requirements for Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT NEW RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS BE AVAILABLE TO BEGIN THEIR TRAINING PROGRAMS ON AUGUST 1 OF EACH YEAR. Most internships begin starting July 27.

The University of California, Davis VMCs are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.

UC Davis is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus