collageAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019), there are currently 2,100 of these animal healthcare professionals employed in the state. Not only do these people earn more than national averages for this occupation (see “job outlook” below), but the number of openings is expected to explode in coming years.
From the heart of the Chesapeake Bay and along the Appalachian Mountains, the Old Dominion State boasts a wide range of plant and animal life. For those interested in taking care of furry, feathered, or scaly-skinned patients, there are a number of veterinary clinics, farms, laboratories, zoological parks, and universities to name a few of the organizations that employ veterinary technicians in Virginia.
In fact, CareerOneStop—a data organization sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor—estimates that positions for veterinary technologists and technicians will increase 30 percent in Virginia between 2016 and 2026, faster than the 19 percent growth expected nationally for this field (2018-2028).
So how does one join this dynamic, high-growth, and rewarding field? Read on below to learn how to become a veterinary technician in Virginia, Colleges With Vet Tech Programs In Virginia, vet tech to veterinarian bridge program, best online vet tech programs 2021, vet tech salary virginia as well as the job outlook, accredited vet tech colleges in the state, and professional licensure information.
| SCHOOL WEBSITE | MAIN ADDRESS | ONLINE PROGRAM | AVMA ACCREDITED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | 1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, Virginia, 24486-0080 | Yes | Yes |
| Northern Virginia Community College-Loudoun | 21200 Campus Drive, Sterling, Virginia, 20164-8699 | Yes | Yes |
| Tidewater Community College | 121 College Place, Norfolk, Virginia, 23510 | No | Yes |
ACCREDITED VET TECH PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA (VA)
To become a licensed vet tech in Virginia, one must have graduated from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are over 220 qualified schools nationwide with associate’s and bachelor’s programs in veterinary technology, including two schools in Virginia offering a total of four AVMA-accredited programs:
Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) in Weyers Cave—a charming area northwest of Charlottesville— offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. BRCC boasts both on-campus learning as well as a distance education option.
The on-campus program takes five semesters or two years to complete, one of those being a summer semester. Students complete an externship during the summer between the first and second year which includes 350 hours of veterinary hospital work.
The Blue Ridge Community College distance education option is for Virginia residents only or those who are engaged in a preceptorship in the state of VA, therefore it is not listed on the CVTEA-accredited distance-based learning programs page.
Northern Virginia Community College-Loudoun (NOVA) in the Potomac Falls area also offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. With convenient on-campus and distance-based learning formats, courses at NOVA include animal breeds and behavior; anesthesia of domestic animals; animal dentistry; clinical pathology; and more. Students complete the program with a vet tech preceptorship.
The on-campus program is full-time and takes two years to complete. It begins in the fall and covers five semesters consecutively including a summer semester. The online program is part-time and takes three years to complete, and is AVMA-accredited just like the on-campus program. Again, for the online program here, students must make a minimum of two to three visits to the Loudoun Campus per semester. In addition, online students must work at least 20 hours per week in a veterinary practice, supervised by a licensed veterinarian, for the entire three-year program.
best online vet tech programs 2021
What is an Online Veterinary Science Degree?
Programs that teach how to become a vet tech provide challenging courses and practical, clinical experience requirements. There will be science, mathematics, and general education courses in any program that you choose.
Veterinary technicians perform a wide range of complex procedures including:
- Collecting specimens and performing laboratory procedures
- Preparing for and assisting in surgery
- Administering anesthesia
- Performing diagnostic imaging and educating clients
All these technical and medical procedures require training, both in the science behind the work and in the hands-on care of animals. Vet tech programs are meant to be rigorous and challenging to produce capable, competent veterinary technicians for an in-demand profession.
Online animal science associate degree programs are either “Associate of Science” or “Associate of Applied Science” degrees, depending on what a school offers. With a high school transcript or a GED, students can begin applications. Some programs will require students to take the general education portions of the program before beginning a specialized curriculum. General education requirements will include writing, humanities, mathematics, science, and social sciences. Many programs also include coursework in communications, since this profession requires communication skills with colleagues and clients.
The specialized portion of any online veterinary science degree will include an animal-focused curriculum and hands-on skills development under the mentorship of a veterinarian or licensed vet tech. The vast majority of these practices deal primarily with small animals, though some programs require practical work with farm and food animals too. Some programs also have exotic/laboratory animal clinicals.
Associate degree programs typically take two years of full-time study, but online veterinary classes can vary in length. If you are working, you may want to study part-time, and some programs even require you to go slower through the coursework. While much of these programs are offered asynchronously, some online veterinary science degrees will require on-site attendance to lectures and discussions. Plan to work outside of class time on each course each week, especially with the challenging courses provided to earn this professional degree.
Licensure for Vet Techs
To be licensed as a veterinary technician, you must check with your state for requirements. In most cases, you are required to pass a national exam, the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), that is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Educational programs are often accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), through their Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Online animal science associate’s degree programs that are accredited by this board are checked for educational and institutional quality, so you can be assured of a good program if it is approved. Once a graduate passes the exam and fulfills any other state requirements, they can apply for licensure in their state.
Get ready for the first step towards a career as a veterinary technician by checking out the different programs available for this growing profession online. Consider the emphasis of the program you want, in addition to cost and schedule.
1. Penn Foster College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Technician
- Low tuition price below $100 per credit hour; Penn Foster College also offers payment plans with no interest.
- Award-winning faculty and a strong vet tech student community
- Interactive coursework
- Clinical externships can be completed with one of the national veterinary hospital partners
- Courses include live webinars and asynchronous course elements and are mobile-friendly
- Up to 75% of credits toward the degree may transfer from other institutions
- Can be completed in four semesters
- Prepares students to take the VTNE
2. San Juan College – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Accredited by the AVMA
- Multiple start dates—fall, spring or summer
- Specialized vet tech courses last 12 weeks each
- 100% asynchronous online program designed for working professionals
- Hands-on labs designed to be performed at a veterinary clinic in student’s area
- Students work with both a companion animal site and a Food and Farm Animal site
- Fast-track labs for large animal skills on-site in Waco, Texas or another off-campus clinical instruction site
- One to four courses per semester
- Full-time students can complete the program in two years and then sit for the VTNE or similar state exams
- Open to international students
- Prior relevant work experience or college credit may be transfer credits or allow students to test out of some courses
3. Purdue University – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Part-time program that can be completed in three to five years
- “Veterinary nursing program” is a term that accurately represents the rigorous science-based curriculum and job duties of this profession
- Students may already work in veterinary practice
- Students are responsible for securing their own mentorship sites
- Online veterinary science degree graduates have a 90% pass rate on the VTNE
- Open to international students
- All students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residence
- Hands-on skills practiced with a mentor in the student’s area; Purdue holds on-campus workshops for students seeking large animal experience
4. St. Petersburg College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology
- Accredited by the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association
- Training includes radiology, nursing, dentistry, anesthesia, surgical preparation, and clinical laboratory tests
- Students must complete 18 or 22 credits of the general education requirements and have worked or volunteered at least 40 hours in an animal hospital before applying to the online animal science associate’s degree
- Coursework is completely online; students complete the clinical practicum with a mentor in their area
- Most learning is asynchronous
- Students must spend at least 20 hours per week in a veterinary clinic
- Florida residents pay less than a third of the tuition charged out-of-state students; there is the possibility to combine on-campus and online learning to fit the schedule needs of area students
5. Colby Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- The convenience of distance learning can be combined with weekend on-campus mentorships for specialized subjects
- All coursework can be completed online asynchronously with practicums in student’s residential area
- On-campus weekend mentorships for large animals, laboratory/exotic animals, and microbiology
- Online students required to work with veterinary hospitals in their area to cover hands-on skills
- Can be completed in three years part-time or two years full-time
- Tuition is very affordable, especially for Kansas residents, but tuition for out-of-state and international students is also very low
- Courses are offered three semesters per year, though not all courses are offered every semester
6. Barton County Community College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Medicine
- Cost per credit hour is very low for all students regardless of residency
- Transfer credits are allowed but must be verified by transcript
- The online animal science associate’s degree program is a total of 64 credit hours and begins with a number of general education requirements, including foundation studies, humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics
- Required courses for the Veterinary Medicine emphasis are chemistry, physics, and zoology; there are elective options in anatomy and physiology, statistics, and organic chemistry
- Flexible scheduling allows for shorter or longer course terms, from four-week intersession courses up to sixteen-week full semester classes
- Free online tutoring is available through this military-friendly school
- Practicum requirements, field work, internships, and clinical experiences
7. Allen County Community College – Associate of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Tuition well under $100 per credit hour
- Credit for prior learning or military experience is available after completing 12 credit hours of work
- The recommended sequence of courses allows students to complete the program in as little as four semesters
- Specialty courses for the veterinary technician program include animal science and industry, fundamentals of animal nutrition, and agricultural economics
- Transfer agreements with public universities in Kansas for further education
- Open to international students and out-of-state students with the same incredibly low tuition costs
- Writing center for individual tutoring, math tutors, access to the online library, and technical assistance
vet tech salary virginia
Vet Tech Median Annual Salary
According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 2020 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.
Here’s what the BLS has to say about vet tech salaries by state:Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
National data
Median Salary: $36,260
Bottom 10%: $25,520
Top 10%: $52,410
Projected job growth: 14.9%
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,440 | $21,600 | $43,950 |
| Alaska | $43,880 | $29,730 | $52,370 |
| Arizona | $36,180 | $27,870 | $47,220 |
| Arkansas | $31,050 | $22,150 | $45,290 |
| California | $46,370 | $32,070 | $64,610 |
| Colorado | $37,590 | $27,530 | $50,200 |
| Connecticut | $42,980 | $32,840 | $71,070 |
| Delaware | $33,070 | $26,490 | $47,160 |
| District of Columbia | $45,740 | $31,260 | $168,490 |
| Florida | $34,590 | $24,210 | $49,160 |
| Georgia | $33,850 | $25,570 | $45,810 |
| Hawaii | $37,370 | $27,240 | $51,610 |
| Idaho | $32,520 | $23,960 | $47,100 |
| Illinois | $37,200 | $26,770 | $58,180 |
| Indiana | $34,510 | $25,540 | $42,770 |
| Iowa | $33,550 | $26,580 | $44,380 |
| Kansas | $34,210 | $25,000 | $50,840 |
| Kentucky | $30,840 | $21,510 | $47,760 |
| Louisiana | $26,680 | $20,420 | $38,690 |
| Maine | $36,610 | $27,430 | $50,380 |
| Maryland | $36,440 | $27,200 | $52,050 |
| Massachusetts | $44,590 | $32,740 | $64,400 |
| Michigan | $36,260 | $26,730 | $50,860 |
| Minnesota | $37,370 | $27,920 | $50,070 |
| Mississippi | $32,890 | $21,770 | $55,940 |
| Missouri | $30,730 | $22,180 | $49,150 |
| Montana | $32,210 | $26,280 | $42,040 |
| Nebraska | $36,780 | $27,690 | $48,020 |
| Nevada | $48,360 | $32,310 | $64,440 |
| New Hampshire | $37,850 | $27,760 | $50,060 |
| New Jersey | $39,230 | $28,990 | $52,190 |
| New Mexico | $35,320 | $23,420 | $49,770 |
| New York | $42,730 | $31,380 | $60,380 |
| North Carolina | $35,470 | $25,750 | $48,310 |
| North Dakota | $34,450 | $25,950 | $48,070 |
| Ohio | $35,650 | $26,230 | $47,920 |
| Oklahoma | $32,060 | $22,720 | $54,390 |
| Oregon | $36,930 | $27,740 | $56,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,110 | $25,020 | $50,310 |
| Rhode Island | $38,230 | $27,950 | $49,070 |
| South Carolina | $33,850 | $24,860 | $45,840 |
| South Dakota | $35,320 | $26,960 | $45,500 |
| Tennessee | $27,760 | $20,800 | $40,180 |
| Texas | $31,360 | $21,960 | $48,610 |
| Utah | $30,990 | $21,940 | $39,570 |
| Vermont | $35,090 | $26,390 | $45,120 |
| Virginia | $44,740 | $32,660 | $61,740 |
| Washington | $41,150 | $33,090 | $52,220 |
| West Virginia | $31,170 | $25,220 | $43,010 |
| Wisconsin | $35,550 | $26,320 | $47,420 |
| Wyoming | $32,370 | $25,980 | $42,190 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2020 median salary; projected job growth through 2030. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
How Do Veterinary Technician Salaries Compare?
Salaries for Other Veterinary Roles
| Vet Role | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Care and Service Workers | $26,370 |
| Medical/Clinical Lab Techs | $54,180 |
| Veterinarians | $99,250 |
| Veterinary Assistants/Lab Caretakers | $29,930 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics
*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Animal caretakers need talented assistants and the field of technology around animal care is growing. Because of this, new treatments and procedures are available to keep animals healthy and alive longer, so there will be an increase in services needed.
vet tech to veterinarian bridge program
The transition from Veterinary Technician to Veterinarian does not happen overnight. Instead, this career progression will span the course of many years. This is because both careers in healthcare involve the passing of an accredited academic program, a license and registration. The process of successfully gaining employment first as a Vet Tech and then later as a Vet typically encompasses a full decade. Here are the details on how to get started:
What is a Veterinary Technician
Before becoming a Veterinary Technician, interested professionals must first learn what exact this occupation entails. As a Vet Tech, these caregivers are tasked with observing the behavior and condition of animals. They are essentially the “right hand” of their supervising Veterinarian(s).
In fulfilling this role, Vet Techs will often be asked to collect and record animal’ case histories, prepare instruments and equipment for procedures and surgeries and restrain animals during exams or procedures. Their obligations which are more hands-on include providing grooming care (bathing animals, cutting their nails, brushing them, etc.), conducting imaging tests, administering medications and performing laboratory examinations. Furthermore, some Vet Techs will be asked to provide emergency first aid as needed, and to administer anesthesia to animals and monitor their responses.
Become a Vet Tech
Once a learner fully understands the role of a Veterinary Technician, the first step toward entering this medical career is to enroll in a post-secondary education program. There are many different program options, the two most popular of which is an associate’s degree program. Students interested in a career in veterinary technology should have an aptitude for general science, math and biology and demonstrate basic language and communication skills. Therefore, prerequisites to these programs normally include high school courses in anatomy, biology, physiology and mathematics.
In addition to these educational and registration qualifications, there are a few interpersonal qualities that a prospective Vet Tech should possess as well. For example, Veterinary Technicians should exhibit kindness and compassion to both their animal patients and their owners. They should also be precise and manually dexterous to be able to maneuver instruments during tests and procedures.Furthermore, strong problem-solving skills help enable Vet Techs to know when to act during emergency situations.
What is a Veterinarian
Another extremely important role in the realm of veterinary medicine is that of Veterinarians. They are responsible for examining animal patients, assessing their conditions, diagnosing ailments and performing procedures and surgeries. They will also treat and dress wounds, administer vaccinations and prescribe medications.
As a Vet, professionals must be prepared to communicate with animal owners and advise them on best practices and at-home treatments. Conveying medical conditions to pet owners must be done in a way that they can easily understand. In some circumstances Veterinarians must also be prepared to perform euthanization. While performing this procedure is not one of the more enjoyable aspects of work as a Vet, the act remains a relied upon element of the healthcare career.
Become a Veterinarian
Is working as a Vet Tech before beginning the path to becoming a Vet beneficial? Definitely!
Often, entering the field of veterinary medicine as a Vet Tech is a great first step on the road to becoming a Veterinarian. This is because Vet Tech programs typically result in either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. While a bachelor’s degree is required to apply to veterinary school, an associate’s degree is already halfway there!
Interestingly, the “Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris” (VMD) degree is an alternative degree which is awarded to Veterinarians by the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. This degree is equivalent to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree awarded by all other United States veterinary schools.
Note: Admission to veterinary programs is extremely competitive. Formal experience prior to applying to these programs, such as previous work with Veterinarians, healthcare professionals or scientists can give students an advantage over their peers.
Once enrolled, these programs take four years to complete and involve classroom, laboratory and clinical components. During these separate educational components, students will have the opportunity to take courses on animal anatomy and physiology, as well as disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The final year is typically when clinical rotations in a veterinary medical center or hospital are completed. They will also learn about the different specialties of veterinary medicine. Currently, there are 22 AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organizations comprising 41 distinct specialties. These specialties include:
- Anesthesia
- Animal Welfare
- Behavior
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Emergency and Critical Care
- General Care
- Internal Medicine (Including cardiology, neurology and oncology)
- Laboratory Animal Medicine
- Livestock
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Poultry
- Preventive Medicine
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Surgery (Including orthopedics and soft tissue)
- Theriogenology
- Toxicology
- Zoology
After the completed of a veterinary school, prospective Vets must become licensed in the state which they intend to practice. Licensing requirements will vary from state to state, but all states require future Veterinarians to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Ultimately, graduates of a veterinary program can begin practicing as soon as they receive their license.
Increased Credentials
At this point, some Vets choose to enter an internship for residency program to gain increased experience and an edge over their colleagues. Although certification is not required for in this field, this advanced credential can also demonstrate exceptional skills, expertise and determination. Employers of Veterinarians, including veterinary clinics, private practices, the federal government, academic institutions and research facilities, all value advanced credentials and experience.
Overall, now is a great time to become a Veterinary or a Veterinary Technician! Both careers are something to be proud of. If you aspire to work in healthcare, help make a difference in animals lives and constantly keep learning and evolving as a professional, you will love a career in veterinary medicine!
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