
How do I become a licensed veterinary technician in Texas?
The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners issues licenses for Veterinarians ( DVM ), Licensed Veterinary Technicians ( LVT ), and Equine Dental Providers ( EDP ). Applicants must pass the state licensing exam prior to becoming licensed in Texas.
Who regulates veterinary technicians in Texas?
A law passed by the 83rd Legislature authorizes the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to license and regulate veterinary technicians. This law became effective on September 1, 2014.
What are the job opportunities for veterinary technicians in Texas?
Employment opportunities for veterinary technicians in Texas is projected to grow 30 percent nationally from 2012 to 2022. Vet Tech positions will also increase as more veterinarians utilize trained technicians and technologists replacing lower skilled veterinary assistants.
Why become a veterinarian in Texas?
In addition to a huge population of cows, Texas provides the natural habitats for a wide range of amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles – creating astounding demand for veterinary technicians within the state.

Can you be a vet assistant without a degree in Texas?
Texas does not have any requirements for becoming a veterinary assistant. It is recommended, however, that individuals who want to work in this field have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED.
What can a vet tech do in Texas?
As a Licensed Veteran Technician your tasks may include:recording a canine's, or another animal patient's, medical history;assisting with surgeries and other medical procedures;collecting blood, urine or stool samples;developing radiographs;preparing animals and equipment for surgery;Processing laboratory tests.More items...
What is the difference between a vet assistant and a vet tech?
Vet techs provide routine and emergency care to animals using their clinical knowledge. In comparison, a vet assistant is a professional who helps complete daily tasks and works under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician.
How much do vet technicians make in Texas?
How much does a Veterinary Technologist make in Texas? As of Jun 21, 2022, the average annual pay for a Veterinary Technologist in Texas is $41,366 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.89 an hour. This is the equivalent of $796/week or $3,447/month.
Can Vet techs give vaccines in Texas?
Veterinary technicians are responsible for providing care to surgical patients, vaccinating wellness pets, and educating clients using TCAP's services.
How do I become a vet tech without college?
Are there states where you can be a vet tech without a degree? Yes. States such as Alaska, California, and Wisconsin allow vet techs to take the VTNE if they complete a certain amount of work experience or an alternative training program.
Can Vet techs draw blood?
Phlebotomy is a skill practiced daily by veterinary technicians. Blood samples are used for numerous diagnostic tests that guide patient care. While it seems some technicians can “hit” every vein they look at, it is a skill that can be developed and mastered by any technician with time and practice.
Is being a vet tech worth it?
Becoming a vet tech is certainly worth it for individuals who want to work with animals and outside of an office environment. To date, the career is experiencing tremendous growth, with about 10,000 new jobs hitting the market each year. The field also provides plenty of job security and room for growth.
How long is vet tech school?
about 2 yearsAccording to the BLS, veterinary technician's typically have an associate degree, which can take about 2 years to complete. Length of time to complete a program will vary based on course load, costs and availability.
How do you become a vet tech in Texas?
In order to qualify to licensure as an LVT in Texas, a person must submit an application, proof of graduation from an AVMA-accredited vet tech program and pass two exams: the VTNE (first) and Texas's special state exam, the LVTE. Renew license annually.
What type of vet tech makes the most money?
Emergency & Critical Care Vet Tech Salary The salaries of emergency and critical care vet techs were also the highest on Salary.com, where the average salary for vet techs in emergency and critical care at companies like Ethos Veterinary Health in the United States was $91,979.
What state pays the highest for vet techs?
The states and districts that pay Veterinary Technologists and Technicians the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($66,850), Connecticut ($48,620), Nevada ($48,390), California ($47,580), and Massachusetts ($46,480).
How much does a veterinarian technician make in Texas?
$29,000 per year is the average salary per year for Veterinarian Technician working in Texas. $28,900 annually is the average in the U.S. as a whole or about $13 per hour. Incomes for veterinarian technicians are slightly lower than the national average. Salaries can range from $20,000 just starting out after graduation to $48,000 for more specialized positions often requiring additional education and training.
How many hours of continuing education do you need to renew your veterinary license in Texas?
Continuing Education in Texas. In order to renew you Veterinary Technician’s license in Texas you are required to take 10 hours of continuing education per year, 5 hours of which may be Online Continuing Education Courses.
What are the duties of a vet technician?
As a Licensed Veteran Technician your tasks may include: 1 recording a canine’s, or another animal patient’s, medical history; 2 assisting with surgeries and other medical procedures; 3 collecting blood, urine or stool samples; 4 developing radiographs; 5 preparing animals and equipment for surgery; 6 Processing laboratory tests. 7 Some veterinary technicians also serve as office managers for animal hospitals. 8 providing treatment for routine problems 9 assisting the veterinarian with physical exams 10 developing x-rays and radiographs 11 performing anesthesia 12 administration of medications 13 recording temperature, pulse and respiration 14 dressing wounds 15 operating electrocardiographic equipment 16 sterilizing laboratory and surgical equipment 17 vaccinating animals
How many hours of clinical experience do you need to become a vet tech?
Earn your AVMA CVTEA accredited associate degree through our flexible, affordable, and career-focused vet tech program online. The program includes 270 hours of clinical experience, giving you hands-on practice working with animals while you do your coursework online.
How much does a VTNE exam cost?
It is three hours long and has 150 questions. Cost is $300.
What classes are included in small animal nursing?
Small animal nursing classes will teach you the unique handling techniques, and the use of medical equipment and medicine required to care for small animals. Restraining animals for examining and grooming may also be included. Anatomy and Physiology.
What is the job of a veterinarian?
recording a canine’s, or another animal patient’s, medical history; assisting with surgeries and other medical procedures; collecting blood, urine or stool samples; developing radiographs; preparing animals and equipment for surgery; Processing laboratory tests.
How to renew a veterinary license in Texas?
If you wish to renew your license by mail, please request a paper renewal form by email: [email protected] or call 512-305-7555.
When did the TBVME licensing fees go into effect?
UPDATED LICENSING FEES: On its December 5, 2017, the TBVME Board voted and passed new licensing fees. These fees went into effect on January 1, 2018. Please click here to download a copy of the new fee schedule.
What is a veterinary technician in Texas?
Veterinary technicians in Texas (and anywhere else for that matter) are in charge of helping the veterinarian constantly, of making the pet owners feel welcome and understood and finally, and most impotantly, of helping the animals as much as is within your power.
How many colleges in Texas have veterinary technology programs?
Texas has as many as ten colleges that have accredited veterinary technology programs.
Why is it important to raise public awareness about the importance of a vet technician's job?
It is important to raise public awareness about the importance of a vet technician’s job, because people far and wide believe that this job is easy and not demanding at all.
Do vet tech schools have prerequisites?
When it comes to requirements before applying into the mentioned schools that offer accredited programs for vet technicians, you should know that every school has its own prerequisites that you’ll have to complete before you enroll.
Is there a future for a vet technician in Texas?
Though at the beginning you may not be satisfied with the paycheck you get at the end of a long day, try looking at it this way: there’s a bright future for you as a vet technician in Texas, even though it doesn’t look that way at the beginning.
How long does it take to become a vet tech?
Vet techs complete a 2-year technical program, which can be done at a traditional on-sight training school or by taking online courses. Once the student has completed his coursework, he takes a board-certified examination in order to become registered.
What is a vet tech?
Vet techs assist veterinarians with the care of animals and provide a variety of services for the veterinarian including record keeping , animal nursing, obtaining and reviewing lab results, and much more. Vet techs can also assist zookeepers in the care of exotic animals housed in zoos.
What classes do you need to be a vet tech?
Though each degree differs in terms of curriculum, most vet tech programs require that students take core classes in their first semesters which introduce them to veterinary medical terminology, animal anatomy and physiology, and parasitology— or the study of animal parasites.
How long does it take to get a veterinary degree in San Juan?
St. Petersburg College offer’s an Associate’s science degree in Veterinary Technology, which is often completed by the student in two years. San Juan College offers an associate’s degree in Applied Science, which is also designed to be completed in 2 years. Because of the flexibility of the online degree, some students take longer to obtain their degree than those enrolled in a location-based program.
Vet Tech Schools in Texas
If you want to obtain your veterinary technician training in the Lone Star state, you are in luck! All of the following schools are fully accredited and offer veterinary technician training that is approved for licensing by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Admission Requirements
After choosing one of the above schools for your veterinary technician training, you will need to fulfill various admission requirements before you can begin your program. These requirements may vary from one school to another; however, you will find some common requirements listed below.
General Education Requirements
All veterinary technician students must complete several general education courses and laboratories before they can begin the vet tech program. While the exact courses and number of classes you will need to take depends on your placement test scores, typical general education courses are listed here.
The Vet Tech Curriculum
Upon completion of the required general education coursework, you can then begin the vet tech curriculum. This curriculum consists of a variety of occupational-related lectures and clinics designed to prepare you for a career in the field. While these courses may vary from school to school, some common coursework is listed below.
The National Veterinary Technician Exam
After you complete your veterinary technician program, you must apply for and complete the National Veterinary Technician Exam, or NVTE. This test is given at various locations during the year by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, and you can find all of the information you may need on the AAVSB’s website.
Obtaining a Vet Tech License in Texas
In the state of Texas, you will need to meet various requirements before you can obtain a vet tech license. These requirements have been set by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, which is where you will need to apply for your licensing. Currently, the requirements you must meet for vet tech licensing in Texas are as follows.
How long does it take to become a vet tech in Texas?
Graduate from a vet tech program in Texas accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This process normally takes two to four years, depending on a student’s educational goals. Some students choose to enroll in a two-year associate degree program featuring coursework in veterinary nursing care, animal radiology, and surgical assisting techniques, to name a few. Other students choose to pursue a lengthier, more in-depth bachelor’s degree program which may be recommended for people interested in taking on more specialized work, responsibilities, and leadership opportunities.
How many vet techs are there in Texas?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019) reports that there are 12,280 vet techs working in the state, and this number is expected to swell 22 percent in Texas between 2018 and 2028 (Projections Central).
What is the degree in veterinary technology at McLennan Community College?
McLennan Community College in Waco provides an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology which typically takes six semesters to complete. This 60-credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for the Texas LVT process, and features courses such as veterinary anatomy, clinical pathology, and parasitology. McLennan graduates had a first-time VTNE pass rate of 74 percent between 2017 and 2020.
How to become a LVT in Texas?
In order to qualify to licensure as an LVT in Texas, a person must submit an application, proof of graduation from an AVMA-accredited vet tech program and pass two exams: the VTNE (first) and Texas’s special state exam, the LVTE. Renew license annually.
What is a vet tech?
Veterinary technicians are the nurses of the animal world, responsible for tasks that aid veterinarians in tasks such as diagnosis, treatment delivery, and surgery. According to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, vet techs in Texas can draw blood, take testing samples, and perform most non-medical, office-related tasks without direct supervision. Under the supervision of a licensed vet, Texas vet tech responsibilities may include suturing existing incisions, inducing anesthesia, extracting loose teeth, performing euthanasia, and administering rabies vaccines.
What is the AAS degree in veterinary technology?
Here is a synopsis of the AVMA-accredited vet tech programs in Texas: The Vet Tech Institute of Houston provides an 18-month associate of applied science (AAS) degree program in veterinary technology.
How many accredited veterinary tech programs are there in Texas?
11 Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Texas. In order to become a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) in Texas, it is imperative to graduate from a program accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a branch of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are currently 11 of these programs, ...
How many certification levels are there for veterinary techs?
There are three certification levels offered by the AALAS for veterinary techs.
Where do veterinary technicians work?
Veterinary technicians work in many different settings, from labs to veterinary offices and even in colleges.
Why do zoos need vet technicians?
Veterinary technicians are needed to help the animals who are sick or injured. Zoos: Jobs at zoos are very competitive since there aren’t a lot of positions open. The vet technicians in the zoos help the veterinarians with emergency and routine care at the zoo.
How much does a vet technician make?
For most people who work as veterinary technicians, their annual salary goes anywhere from $21,890 to $47,410. On average, veterinary technicians earn $17.40 per hour, though this amount can go up or down depending on where a veterinary technician works.
What is a LVT in veterinary?
An LVT, or a Licensed Veterinary Technician – This credential is given by the veterinary medical board of the state.
How much will the veterinary technician field grow in 2026?
The veterinary technician field is expected to grow by 20% between this year and 2026.
What is the job of a veterinary technician?
But one thing that every veterinary technician has in common is that they help to care for the animals. As a veterinary technician, you will be helping the animals, the veterinarian, and the animals’ owners.
