Those who complete the 4 year course are often called veterinary technologists instead of veterinary technicians but in practice, in the vast majority of work environments vet technicians and vet technologists do much the same work.

Accredited vet tech schools

The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) accredits around 160 schools, mostly community colleges, in the US to provide the relevant training for the 2 year Associate degree.

Pre-course requirements

Many vet tech schools require applicants to provide proof of passing at college exams in biology, sometimes chemistry and math, usually at C grade before they can start their training.

Certified vet tech programs

The vet tech programs offered in the various schools may be structured differently but they end up covering much the same ground.  A two year course typically covers 5 semesters and the subjects covered in different modules are something like this:

• General Biology
• Introduction to Chemistry
• Applied Math Topics
• Clinical Technology*
• Professional Communication
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• Clinical Pathology
• Lab Animal Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Veterinary Work Experience
• Veterinary Pharmacology
• Surgical Nursing
• Veterinary Anesthesiology
• Large Animal Nursing
• Vet Tech Internship

The last on the list is one of the most important parts of the training program offered by a vet tech school.  Students are required to do voluntary work at a local hospital or clinic.  For example at the Muscatine College in Iowa students “will be required to log 246 hours in the 8 week session of their fifth semester. The student needs to split up their time (as equally as possible) in the following areas: surgery, treatment and emergency, exam room, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, and reception.”

*Clinical Technology in this case means understanding the basics of what a vet tech does, such as general animal welfare and restraint, as well as essential administrative procedures such as record keeping and the use of computers.

Licensure and certification

States license and regulate veterinary technicians in different ways.  Most states require them to pass an exam following graduation from their vet tech program. Passing the state exam provides an assurance that the technician has sufficient knowledge and skills to work in a veterinary clinic or hospital. The exam tests competency through oral, written, and practical tests.  Exam contents and standards are defined by a state board of veterinary examiners, although the title of the board is different from state to state.  The majority of states use the National Veterinary Technician Exam (NVTE) although some states require candidates to pass both the national exam and a state exam.

In most cases certified vet tech programs and licensing in one state usually enables vet techs to be licensed afresh if they move to another state, although some states may require an additional exam.

The employment prospects for veterinary technicians are positive based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions. With visions of a great career floating before your eyes, let us turn our thoughts to something more practical, getting the qualifications you need to become a veterinary technician.

The BLS is a trusted source of information for all things pertaining to education and employment. You need a high school diploma to gain admission to an associate’s (two year) degree program or a bachelor’s (four year) degree program.

If you are sure about your career choice and have decided the course of study will be via an internet based vet tech program, you have several options to choose from. One thing we recommend you bear in mind is to select an accredited program. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) provides accreditation for colleges offering vet tech programs based on their compliance with AVMA’s requirements. Accreditation ensures the student gets a well rounded quality education.

How does an internet-based vet tech program work?

Internet veterinary technology programs have the same academic requirements as campus-based education. The course is designed to provide instruction in veterinary medicine and animal healthcare as the focus and on related areas.

Internet-based online vet tech programs offer their courses through web seminars, exams and clinical mentorships that allow students to gain practical work experience in a clinical environment. Online instruction may be provided through videos on a variety of topics. For example, you will be shown a video to demonstrate how to draw blood from a dog – how to secure the animal, disinfect the area and take the blood sample. The knowledge you gain through coursework needs to be applied in your hands-on clinical practice.

Clinical practice is an essential part of the program, so before choosing an internet based vet tech program, you need to find out whether there are local practices affiliated to your college where you will get your required clinical practice.

Choosing an internet based vet tech program should be based on whether the program is accredited by the AVMA. Most programs will be accredited through state and region specific accrediting association for higher learning. Do not confuse this accreditation with the accreditation provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association. You can only earn licensure if you graduate through an accredited internet based vet tech program.

Employers are not interested in whether you graduate through on-campus learning or distance learning. The importance is on whether the program through which you earn your degree is accredited.

Veterinarians work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, animal shelters, research facilities, zoos, aquariums, animal farms, and other facilities that provide animal healthcare.

In the U.S., there are several schools with offline and online vet tech programs and students can choose in-house institutions, part time study, full time study or distance learning. With a high school diploma in hand, anyone with the aspiration to become a veterinary technician can easily do so.

Schools with vet tech programs provide ideal instruction for motivated individuals who love animals and want to spend their working life caring for them. A sampling of the coursework includes: animal safety, animal behavior, physical examination procedures, veterinary ethics and law, grooming, drug administration and record keeping.

Some schools offer specialized courses related to animal healthcare including: surgical preparation assisting; laboratory and dentistry procedures; zoonotic diseases, animal psychology, nursing animals and ultrasound and radiology.

A list of some schools with vet tech programs is provided for your information and reference:

Sanford-Brown offers a veterinary technology program to provide students with practical and technical knowledge to become successful veterinary technicians. The curriculum is structured to provide theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. The final part of the program will involve supervised clinical work.

Vetterrot College offers the veterinary technician associate of applied science degree. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, competencies and skills necessary for real-life work positions as entry-level veterinary technicians. Students will learn how to draw blood samples, restrain animals, provide nursing care, manage veterinary office procedures, sterilization, pharmacology, parasitology, blood chemistry and more. Students also learn about animal anatomies, physiology, surgery assistance, surgical techniques, laboratory procedures and diseases.

Platt College offers associate degrees in veterinary technology specifically designed to give students in-depth study, training and practical experience to qualify them for entry-level positions as veterinary technicians in the animal healthcare industry. A veterinary technician performs many of the same tasks a nurse would. The program is centered round medical treatments, surgical assistance, laboratory tests, anesthesia, radiology, x-rays, nursing and critical care.

Jefferson State Community College offers the veterinary technology program. Students wishing to enroll in the program need to contact enrollment services for forms and application guidelines. The program is offered through distance learning and has been granted provisional accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Theoretical knowledge coursework will be provided via internet instruction. The clinical skills part of the program will be performed at the clinical site where the student is employed. Some travel may be required by out-of-state students, so you need to check whether this college will be a suitable choice.

There are many schools with vet tech programs to help you begin the journey to one of the most rewarding careers.