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Depending on the state in which you plan to work, you’ll have to become certified, licensed, or registered to practice as a veterinary technician. Every jurisdiction uses a different designation, but you’ll need some type of authorization to work in your state. To qualify as a credentialed vet tech, you’ll have to meet general education, experience, and examination requirements, along with any other state-specific criteria.
Education
A 2-year associate’s degree is the most common educational path for veterinary technicians, although some students opt to earn their 4-year bachelor’s. You can find vet tech education programs at technical schools, community colleges, and 4-year universities. There are online education options too, though it’s likely that you’ll still need to participate in some hands-on clinical experiences. Curriculum in a vet tech program includes instruction in all aspects of animal nursing and handling, including laboratory and surgical procedures.
When considering vet tech programs, it’s important to look for one that’s accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Graduates of CVTEA-accredited programs are eligible in most states to take the required certification exam. You can expect these programs to include at least 60 credit hours and 240 clock hours of an on-site practicum.
As a prospective student, selecting an accredited vet tech program can help you:
- Ensure that you receive an education that meets the highest-quality standards
- Earn credits that can be transferred to other accredited schools
- Create employer confidence in your educational credentials
- Provide access to U.S. government financial aid
If you plan on using your associate’s degree as the basis for a 4-year bachelor’s, it’s important to ensure that your school also holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This will improve your chance of having your associate’s degree credits accepted by another institution if you want to transfer them toward an advanced degree.
Certification
While every state sets its own criteria for regulating vet techs, most entry-level candidates have to take a credentialing exam. The Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), prepared by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), is the most common exam used. This 3-hour computer-based test consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, with 150 of them being scored. The remaining 20 questions are used for constructing future exams.
The VTNE is divided into the following 9 major subject areas:
VTNE Subject Areas
Pharmacy and pharmacology
Surgical nursing
Dentistry
Laboratory procedures
Anesthesia
Animal care and nursing
Pain management and analgesia
Emergency medicine/critical care
Diagnostic imaging
To prepare for the exam, you can download sample questions and review materials from the VTNE website. You can also purchase online practice tests from the AAVSB to improve your readiness for the test. Immediately after taking the exam, you’ll receive a score report at the testing center, though this is for personal use only. Your official scores will be forwarded to your state veterinary board within a few weeks and, if you pass, you can complete any additional steps necessary for credentialing.
After earning your vet tech credential, most states require you to complete a set number of continuing education (CE) credits to renew your certificate, license, or registration. Requirements vary, so be sure to check with your state board of veterinary medicine.
How To Become A Vet Tech
As mentioned above, the requirements to become a vet tech vary by state and specialty. There are different regional laws that define the scope of practice in this field. For example, states such as New Jersey do not require their vet techs to be professionally credentialed. Other states such as Tennessee or Indiana require that these animal healthcare workers be licensed and registered, respectively.
For areas requiring professional certification, registration, or licensure, the requirements typically involve completing two to four years of postsecondary education at an approved institution, in addition to paying an application fee and maintaining the credential through the completion of continuing education (CE) hours.
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide for how to become a vet tech:
STEP 1: Graduate from high school or get a diploma-equivalent like a GED. In addition to a love of animals and empathy, vet techs typically have strong backgrounds in science with high marks in classes such as biology, physiology (if offered), and chemistry. Due to the hands-on lab work involved in many vet tech positions, students must be comfortable handling sensitive scientific instruments, conducting tests, and interpreting results. Some people at this stage may find it useful to volunteer in animal clinics, shelters, or other facilities handling furry, feathered, or scaly-skinned patients.
STEP 2: Complete an accredited degree program in veterinary technology or animal science (two to four years). Regardless of one’s state of residence, it’s advisable to seek out associate or bachelor’s degree programs accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a branch of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The CVTEA evaluates factors such as a program’s comprehensiveness of curricula, student outcomes, quality of facilities, finances, and admissions processes.
Admissions committees at CVTEA-accredited programs generally call for official high school transcripts (with coursework specified above); official test scores (SAT or ACT, and TOEFL for non-native speakers of English); undergoing a background check; providing proof of immunizations and health insurance; and paying an application fee.
Some of the more competitive programs may call for veterinary experience, letters of recommendation, or candidate interviews as well. Typical courses in these veterinary technology programs include mammalian anatomy & physiology; veterinary medical calculations; pathology; parasitology; veterinary clinic management; research methods; animal nursing; anatomy & physiology; microbiology; pharmacology; diagnostic imaging; animal dentistry; clinical toxicology; anesthesia; and veterinary medical ethics.
There are both on-campus and online vet tech schools available. It’s crucial to note that some state credentialing entities may waive the education requirement if a vet tech has several years of experience. Please verify regional requirements with local boards, a list of which is provided by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVB), or reference the “Vet Tech Licensing & Renewal By State” chart below.
STEP 3: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (timeline and state requirements vary). This test—commonly referred to as the VTNE—is offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The VTNE is a typical requirement for licensure, certification, or registration as a vet tech in most U.S. states. As a proxy for program quality, national law mandates that schools must disclose their three-year, VTNE first-time passing rate among program graduates.
Prospective students are encouraged to check out their program’s pass rate on this important exam to verify that past students have met national standards. This $320 exam is offered during three monthlong periods annually and tests candidates’ knowledge in nine distinct domains: pharmacy & pharmacology; surgical nursing; dentistry; laboratory procedures; animal care and nursing; diagnostic imaging; anesthesia; emergency medicine; and pain management.
STEP 4: Apply for state credentialing (timeline and state requirements vary). As mentioned above, vet tech credentialing standards vary by state but typically involve sending official transcripts from a CVTEA-accredited program; submitting VTNE scores; and paying an application fee. Some states such as Washington also require a state examination as part of their credentialing process, and others ask for official proof of American citizenship, passport photos, or a background check.
States also vary by the nomenclature of their credentialing in the profession, whether it be registered veterinary technician (RVT), certified veterinary technician (CVT), or licensed veterinary technician (LVT). For more information on the professional credentialing process, please reference the section below or individual state program pages.
STEP 5: Renew credential and complete continuing education (CE) requirements (timeline and state requirements vary). Vet techs must maintain their professional licensure, registration, or certification through the completion of CE hours. These can be fulfilled through qualified conferences, publications, presentations, online coursework, and other methods. The types of approved CE vary by region. A list of every state’s credentialing requirements, agencies, and CE information is in the vet tech licensing chart below.
Veterinary Technician Salary
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $35,703 | $2,975 | $687 | $17.16 |
| New York | $33,831 | $2,819 | $651 | $16.26 |
| New Hampshire | $32,739 | $2,728 | $630 | $15.74 |
| California | $31,912 | $2,659 | $614 | $15.34 |
| Massachusetts | $31,158 | $2,597 | $599 | $14.98 |
| Vermont | $30,885 | $2,574 | $594 | $14.85 |
| Wyoming | $30,257 | $2,521 | $582 | $14.55 |
| Hawaii | $30,187 | $2,516 | $581 | $14.51 |
| Idaho | $30,009 | $2,501 | $577 | $14.43 |
| Maine | $29,583 | $2,465 | $569 | $14.22 |
| West Virginia | $29,400 | $2,450 | $565 | $14.13 |
| Connecticut | $29,377 | $2,448 | $565 | $14.12 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,259 | $2,438 | $563 | $14.07 |
| Texas | $29,084 | $2,424 | $559 | $13.98 |
| Rhode Island | $28,939 | $2,412 | $557 | $13.91 |
| Alaska | $28,756 | $2,396 | $553 | $13.82 |
| Montana | $28,683 | $2,390 | $552 | $13.79 |
| Maryland | $28,679 | $2,390 | $552 | $13.79 |
| New Jersey | $28,677 | $2,390 | $551 | $13.79 |
| North Dakota | $28,530 | $2,378 | $549 | $13.72 |
| Nevada | $28,529 | $2,377 | $549 | $13.72 |
| Arizona | $28,389 | $2,366 | $546 | $13.65 |
| Nebraska | $28,224 | $2,352 | $543 | $13.57 |
| Indiana | $28,207 | $2,351 | $542 | $13.56 |
| Minnesota | $27,902 | $2,325 | $537 | $13.41 |
| Tennessee | $27,882 | $2,323 | $536 | $13.40 |
| Virginia | $27,854 | $2,321 | $536 | $13.39 |
| Wisconsin | $27,773 | $2,314 | $534 | $13.35 |
| South Dakota | $27,697 | $2,308 | $533 | $13.32 |
| Ohio | $27,680 | $2,307 | $532 | $13.31 |
| Kentucky | $27,464 | $2,289 | $528 | $13.20 |
| Georgia | $27,385 | $2,282 | $527 | $13.17 |
| Utah | $27,313 | $2,276 | $525 | $13.13 |
| Oregon | $27,272 | $2,273 | $524 | $13.11 |
| Louisiana | $27,060 | $2,255 | $520 | $13.01 |
| South Carolina | $26,934 | $2,244 | $518 | $12.95 |
| Kansas | $26,867 | $2,239 | $517 | $12.92 |
| Colorado | $26,834 | $2,236 | $516 | $12.90 |
| Delaware | $26,801 | $2,233 | $515 | $12.89 |
| Alabama | $26,746 | $2,229 | $514 | $12.86 |
| Iowa | $26,631 | $2,219 | $512 | $12.80 |
| New Mexico | $26,390 | $2,199 | $507 | $12.69 |
| Oklahoma | $26,232 | $2,186 | $504 | $12.61 |
| Florida | $25,811 | $2,151 | $496 | $12.41 |
| Arkansas | $25,196 | $2,100 | $485 | $12.11 |
| Michigan | $25,183 | $2,099 | $484 | $12.11 |
| Mississippi | $25,170 | $2,097 | $484 | $12.10 |
| Illinois | $25,060 | $2,088 | $482 | $12.05 |
| Missouri | $24,654 | $2,055 | $474 | $11.85 |
| North Carolina | $22,952 | $1,913 | $441 | $11.03 |
Veterinary Technician Work Environment
According to the BLS, the most common work environments for veterinary technicians are animal hospitals and private veterinary clinics. Other employers include laboratories, zoos, humane societies, and colleges and universities.
You can expect to perform a wide range of veterinary duties as you interact with animals, pet owners, and the other veterinary staff. Since many veterinary clinics are open evenings, weekends, and holidays, it’s likely that your work schedule will include nontraditional hours. And like most medical fields, working set hours may not be an option if an emergency case arrives outside of your usual schedule.
The work environment for a vet technician can be demanding in other ways as well. Your duties can include standing for long periods of time as you assist in exams and medical procedures. Restraining animals that may be hurt or scared can put you at risk for injury from scratches or bites. And working as a vet tech can also take an emotional toll when you’re working on cases that involve illness, abuse, or euthanasia.
However, if you’re an animal lover, you’re likely to find satisfaction in using your knowledge and skills to help animals lead their best possible lives. You’ll take pride in watching animals grow from babies to healthy adults, and you’ll have the compassion needed to tend to animals whose time is limited.
Vet Tech Specialties
While you’ll have to learn general animal nursing techniques to succeed as a certified vet tech, there are many different vet tech specialties you can choose to pursue if you want to focus your career. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers an advanced credential to vet techs interested in mastering skills and education in a specific area. NAVTA recognizes and awards VTS designation in the following 16 categories:
Areas of Specialty
- Anesthesia/analgesia
- Animal behavior
- Clinical practice
- Clinical pathology
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Diagnostic imaging
- Equine
- Emergency and critical care
- Internal medicine
- Laboratory medicine
- Nutrition
- Ophthalmology
- Physical rehabilitation
- Surgery
- Zoology
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