How to Become a Vet Tech

Portions of the following article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform. The article was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by multiple members of our editorial team prior to publishing.

Are you passionate about animals and interested in a career that allows you to contribute to their health and well-being? If so, you may want to consider becoming a veterinary technician or veterinarian technologist, often referred to as a vet tech.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with comprehensive information on how to become a vet tech, including the steps involved, the education and certification required, and the potential salaries.

Becoming a vet tech requires obtaining the necessary education and certification. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your path to becoming a vet tech.

Getting your high school diploma or GED certificate is the first step toward getting into an accredited veterinary technician program.

During high school, aspiring vet techs should take subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and math. These subjects provide essential knowledge that will be crucial in understanding your future studies in animal anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.

Before enrolling in a program, it’s important to understand the difference between a vet technician and a vet technologist:

When deciding which path to pursue, consider factors like the time and financial commitment you can make, your career aspirations, and whether you prefer a practical, hands-on role or a more research-focused or managerial position.

Once you decide which career path to take, the next step is to enroll in a veterinary technician or technologist program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Completing an AVMA-accredited program guarantees a quality education recognized by the veterinary profession and makes you eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

These programs typically take about two years to complete for an associate degree and about four years for a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum covers essential subjects like animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and surgical procedures.

Gaining hands-on experience is a crucial part of the educational process. Many vet tech programs include externships or internships that help students gain practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or credentialed vet tech. These opportunities provide invaluable learning experiences, helping students develop practical skills, build confidence, and make professional connections in the veterinary field.

After graduating from an accredited program, the next step is to pass the VTNE, a standardized exam administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) that assesses your knowledge and skills in veterinary technology.

While studying for the VTNE, it’s important to exercise good study habits, such as using practice exams and flashcards, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and gaining practical experience.

After passing the VTNE, you’ll need to meet any additional state-specific requirements to become officially credentialed. This could include passing a state exam, undergoing a background check, or fulfilling specific educational prerequisites.

The specific title and credentialing process can vary by state and may include titles such as Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).

Once you have your credentials, it’s time to start your job search. There are several strategies for finding job opportunities as a vet tech, such as engaging in specialty certification or advanced training, developing a professional online presence, staying active on social media, attending professional meetups and educational events, and leveraging your professional network.

You can also explore leadership roles within veterinary hospitals. Consider working as a relief vet tech or consultant. You can even look into opportunities in related industries, such as technology companies or pharmaceutical sales.

As you gain experience and knowledge in the field, you may want to consider specializing or pursuing further education. Specializations can include areas such as surgical assistance, marine animal health, animal nutrition, shelter medicine, and wildlife rehabilitation.

These specializations often require additional certifications, degrees, or specific training, but they can lead to higher salaries and increased job satisfaction. Advancing to a leadership role, seeking continuous education, or even transitioning to become a veterinarian are other viable paths for career growth.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Vet techs are key members of the veterinary healthcare team who support veterinarians and ensure animals receive the best care possible. They provide routine and emergency nursing care to animals, such as conducting medical tests to diagnose injuries and illnesses, conducting X-rays and diagnostic tests, and assisting veterinarians in surgeries. Vet techs also administer medications and vaccines, insert catheters, and draw blood.

The length of time it takes to become a vet tech depends on the requirements in your state and your specialty. In some states, vet techs can gain work experience to get an exemption from the educational requirements. Generally, it takes about 2-3 years to complete a training program and then get credentialed. The typical associate in veterinary technology degree takes two years to complete when students go to school full time.

Some schools may offer accelerated or part-time programs that alter the graduation timeline. A program’s length depends on its format and the vet tech requirements, including academic credits and clinical hours. Additionally, pursuing a specialization may require thousands of hours of work experience in your specialty area, as well as continuing education courses.

Vet techs earn a median annual salary of $43,740 or $21.03 per hour. Several factors can influence their earnings, including the level of education and training, geographic location, type of employer, years of experience, and any specializations or certifications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth of 21% for vet techs between 2022 and 2023.

As of 2023, the lowest 10% of earners in this field made a median annual salary of less than $30,180, while the highest 10% earned more than $59,310. Vet techs in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry received the highest annual average wage of $73,640, or $35.41 per hour.

Top-paying states for vet techs are Washington, D.C., California, New York, Washington State, and Virginia.