Vet Tech Schools: How to Become a Veterinary Technician

Getting a Vet Tech Certification

Veterinary technicians play a very crucial role in every veterinary practice. But before you can start aiding sick and injured animals you will need to complete your education requirements and earn a veterinary technician certification. Although most vet techs enter the field with an associate’s degree you may also choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

By earning your bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine or technology you can advance your career and take on higher paying positions with more responsibility.

Here is a quick comparison of both associate and bachelor vet tech degree programs.

• Associates Degree: The most common degree path chosen by veterinary technicians primarily because it is the quickest path to certification taking only about 16 to 24 months. You can often find these degree programs available at community colleges.
• Bachelor’s Degree: Although less common, a bachelor’s degree will be more valuable and make you more competitive in the job market. Although it takes a bit longer to earn, you will be eligible for higher paying positions and have more opportunities with a bachelor’s degree.

Classes Taken at Vet Technician Schools

The goal of a vet technician program is to prep you for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Additionally, vet tech school should help you gain immediate placement in a lab or clinic both for a job after graduation and for an internship required as part of your education. Make sure you ask school advisors about these program features.

You may choose to pursue either an associates degree or a bachelors degree. Regardless, you will need to have an understanding of animal nursing, assisting in all aspects of animal care, performing lab procedures, and assisting with surgical procedures.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) oversees the process to become a certified veterinary technician. Common courses in most veterinary technician education curriculums would include:

• Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology
• Anesthesiology
• Veterinary Practice Management
• Animal nursing
• Surgical nursing
• Dentistry
• Biochemistry
• Animal & Zoonotic diseases
• Parasitology
• Imaging
• Laboratory Procedures
• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutical Training
• Small and large animal medicine
• Vet Pathology
• Radiography for veterinary technicians

Vet Tech Internships & Externships

One of the most important parts of your vet tech education is hands-on experience obtained through an internship or externship.

Accredited veterinary technician schools must include hands-on clinical experience for all of their students. This period of hands on practice is referred to as practicum or preceptorship, or more commonly known as internships and externships.

Learning through hands-on experience in an internship will really help prepare you for your first vet tech job.

Which Veterinary Technician Certification Do I Need?

Each state regulates veterinary technicians separately and provides its own guidelines and requirements for gaining legal employment as a licensed, registered, or certified vet tech.

In general, to be eligible and competitive in job markets around the country you will need to complete your degree from a program that is accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and also pass the national exam known as the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam).

By earning your degree and passing the exam most states offer a licensing application making you eligible for employment. Depending on the state you will become certified, licensed, or registered as a veterinary technician.

The VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam)

You will need to complete the 200 multiple choice question 4 hour Veterinary Technician National Exam. This exam is offered exclusively through the AAVSB.

The exam is offered at certain times throughout the year in each state.

There are 7 areas of veterinary tech education covered on the exam that you should study and become proficient in.

1. Pharmacology for Vet Techs
2. Animal Surgical Procedures
3. Dental Procedures
4. Lab Procedures
5. Medical Nursing for Vet Techs
6. Animal radiography and ultrasound
7. Anesthesia for Vet Techs

You can start preparing for the VTNE by purchasing practice exams and downloading sample questions available on the AAVSB website.

List of Accredited Vet Tech Schools

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medicine Association) is the organization responsible for accrediting veterinary colleges. Vet Tech school reviews and accreditation are done by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. Attending an accredited vet tech school provides more opportunities for financial aid and employment with an education accredited by a national organization.

Below is both a nationwide list of accredited veterinary technician schools with a list of foreign accredited schools at the bottom.​​​