Texas is a land of “big” – big spaces, big hearts, and big opportunities for relief veterinarians. It leads the nation in dog ownership, according to the AVMA. With amazing barbeque, friendly neighbors, and plenty of patients, now is a good time to look into becoming a relief veterinarian in Texas.

Becoming a Relief Veterinarian in Texas

All DVMs in Texas must pass the NAVLE or NBE and CCT. In addition, all DVMs must pass the Texas boards. Texas board certifications can be taken at any time through a COMIRA testing center. Upon passing, a relief veterinarian in Texas can expect their credentials within 7 days.

There are no special out-of-state licensing requirements. There is a $515 application fee.

Working as a relief veterinarian in Texas

Texas does not have any significant changes from federal labor laws in terms of break times, unlike veterinarians in California. Opportunities happen at both corporate veterinary clinics, like Banfield, and also in private veterinary practices. There are more opportunities in the cities than a small town, even in Texas.

Most relief vets are independent contractors, so a flexible schedule is a must. Working in relief means that vets give up some exceptional benefits for freedom and flexibility. On the positive side, relief doctors can pick and choose their work environment.

Veterinary practitioners use relief services to cover long-term leave as well as short-term absences. Some relief services just give the time, date and place of your shift. Holiday Vet is trying to make the relief segment of the veterinary industry a better place by giving you all the relevant information on the clinic‘s work environment and software in your shift schedule.

Common tasks on a job description include:

• Anesthesia
• Surgery
• Preventative care
• Emergency medicine
• Treatment of diseases

Payment and taxes

Texas is a great place to be a relief veterinarian from a financial perspective. A full-time veterinarian in Texas makes on average $60/hour, one of the highest rates in the country, according to the US Bureau on Statistics. Please note that this competitive salary is for traditional veterinary practitioners as a W-2 employee. Relief vet pay rates in Texas may be very different, depending on location, size of clinic, and experience required. 

 Even better, there’s no state income tax in Texas. There’s still federal income tax, but you net much more as a relief veterinarian in Texas than neighboring Oklahoma, which has a 5% state income tax.

Find personal time as a relief veterinarian in Texas

Holiday Vet is founded on the principal of allowing relief vets to balance their work and personal lives. A big part of that is finding free time on your terms. As a relief veterinarian in Texas, you choose your hours, making time for relaxing time with family or a vacation just for you.

“I love the flexibility to take off for weeks as needed throughout the year when family needs arise.”

Dr L, Texas

Texas City Tips

Texas cities show the influence of history and modernity. Metropolises like Houston and Dallas tend towards the modern side, but still have significant Spanish and Mexican influence. Austin has struck its own path, going high-tech and high-nature, and San Antonio holds on to traditions, history and a mix of cultures.

Fun in Austin for Relief Veterinarians

When your slogan is “Keep Austin Weird,” you can expect to see some wild and crazy sights in the Texas capitol. Home to the tech and music festival South by Southwest (SXSW) and a roaring live music scene, Austin is definitely on the must-see list. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the world’s largest population of urban bats, even if they’re not animals that you’d usually treat as a relief vet in Texas.

San Antonio

“Remember the Alamo!” – that’s it’s just one of five historical Spanish missions and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. After taking in the missions, explore the River Walk, a 15 mile pathway along the San Antonio River, flanked with shops and restaurants. If 15 miles is too long, there are river cruises as well.

Wide open spaces in Texas

Palo Duro Canyon

The second largest canyon in the United States makes for a great day or days of exploring on foot, bike, or horseback. Shaped as a park by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s, Palo Duro has hoodoos and other landscapes that you usually expect from Utah. The jewel of the Texas State Park system also has a theatre that hosts a family-friendly musical in season.

Big Bend National Park

The more remote of Texas’s National Parks is host to dramatic canyons, wild rivers, historic artifacts and a variety of desert flora and fauna. This slice of the Chihuahuan Desert offers fantastic hiking and night sky viewing. If you’re a relief veterinarian in Texas that also loves bird watching, Big Bend is home to more than 450 species of birds, more than any other National Park.

Texas is a great destination for relief vet work

With high pay rates and no state tax, it makes economic sense to pick up relief veterinarian Texas shifts. It’s easy to get a license too.

And you can balance out work with multiple options to play in both the city and the country. Dramatic views, intriguing history, and a mix of cultural influences await.

Holiday Vet has open shifts in Texas right now.