how to become a vet tech in arkansas

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To become a veterinary technician in Arkansas, a person must apply for certification through the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Examining Board by submitting the following:

• Proof of US citizenship
• A photograph
• A copy of one’s diploma from an AVMA-accredited program in veterinary technology
• Official copy of college transcript
• Passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
• Notarized letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinarian
• Application fee ($40.00)

To maintain active status as a certified veterinary technician (CVT), candidates must submit an annual renewal application with $25.00 and proof of having completed six hours of continuing education (CE). The renewal period begins each year on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following year. Finally, Arkansas allows students to complete two of the six required CE hours online. A variety of web-based CE opportunities are available through these services:

• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA)
• VetMed Team
• Purina
• Vetfolio

VET TECH PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

As mentioned in the discussion of Arkansas vet tech schools, attending an accredited program is essential to qualify as a certified vet tech (CVT) in the state. The main accreditation body is a branch of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). The CVTEA evaluates vet technology programs according to the following criteria:

• Student outcomes (e.g., VTNE passing rates)
• Quality of curricula, faculty, and facilities
• School finance management
• Organization & communications within program
• Availability of libraries & other resources
• Admissions processes
• Institutional accreditation

Finally, the CVTEA is a programmatic accreditation body, but there are institutional accreditation bodies as well. Although the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Examining Board doesn’t have explicit recommendations regarding this type of accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is the main regional body that approves schools as a whole in AR. To learn more about each of these types of accreditation, please visit the CVTEA accreditation standards and HLC websites.

In Arkansas, there’s a growing pool of job openings in the field of veterinary technology. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2020) predicts that the number of positions in this field will increase 16 percent nationwide between 2019 and 2029. This is four times the average growth projected for all occupations during that time period (4 percent), adding 18,200 fresh vet tech positions around the country. And the swelling number of job openings is only part of the story.

These skilled professionals can seek employment in a range of facilities in AR and beyond, including veterinary hospitals, biomedical research facilities, specialty animal clinics (e.g., avian, equine, exotic, etc.), food inspection agencies, zoo and wildlife centers, parks, farms, shelters, kennels, aquariums, public policy organizations, and humane societies.

Indeed maintains active vet tech job postings in AR with opportunities at places such as Bellevue Animal Clinic, Benton Veterinary Hospital, Spring Park Animal Hospital, Hancock Veterinary Services, and Wedington Animal Hospital. Additionally, the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a careers page and advertises vet tech openings as well.

Finally, to enhance one’s salary or employment prospects, some AR vet techs invest in acquiring the specialized knowledge and skills needed to become a veterinary technician specialist (VTS). To become a VTS, candidates typically need to seek certification through an organization such as the Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians or the Academy of Veterinary Clinical Pathology Technicians.

To qualify, vet techs must generally have at least 1,000 or more hours of experience in their specialty of choice, letters of recommendation from supervising veterinarians, and a passing score on a comprehensive examination. Other specialties include clinical practice, dentistry, veterinary nursing, internal medicine, dermatology, equine nursing, nutrition, and zoological medicine.

To learn more about how to become a VTS, check out the vet tech careers page.

VET TECH SALARIES IN ARKANSAS

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2020), the 109,490 veterinary technicians employed across the United States earned an average salary of $37,860 per year. The table below shows how vet tech salaries in Arkansas compare to national averages at all various salary percentiles:

While vet tech salaries are lower in Arkansas than national averages, it’s important to note that the cost of living is also substantially below average and therefore lower salaries come with more purchasing power in the Land of Opportunity. By illustration, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2021) ranked AR the fourth most affordable state in the United States. Arkansas boasts particular savings in housing, healthcare, and utility costs relative to the rest of the country.