How to earn a vet tech certification
- 1. Earn your high school diploma or equivalent ...
- 2. Research your state's licensing requirements ...
- 3. Attend an accredited veterinary technician school ...
- 4. Take and pass the veterinary technician national examination ...
- 5. Complete any clinical hours required by your state ...
- 6. Apply for your credentials and register as a veterinary technician ...
Full Answer
How much school is required to be a vet tech?
Veterinary technicians typically have a two-year associate degree, while technologists have a four-year bachelor’s degree and may take on greater responsibilities in a clinic. In both fields, the scope of practice and laws governing professional credentialing vary widely by state.
What college courses are needed to become a vet tech?
- Two semesters of general chemistry with lab (CHEM 110, 111, 112, and 113)
- Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab (CHEM 202 and 203; or CHEM 210, 212, and 213)
- One or two semesters of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with laboratory (B M B 211, 212, and 221; or B M B 401 and 402)
What education is required to become a vet tech?
What Are the Requirements to Become a Vet Tech?
- Complete High School. Future vet techs need either a high school diploma or GED certificate. ...
- Get an Associate Degree. Most states require veterinary techs to hold an associate degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. ...
- Get Specialized Training. ...
- Earn Credentials. ...
How many years does it take to become a vet tech?
It typically takes two years to become a vet tech. The process involves going through a vet tech degree program, which lasts two years. The program must be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Why Become a VTS?
The BLS projected a 16 percent expansion in openings for vet techs across the country between 2019 and 2029, quadruple the average growth anticipated across all occupations during that time period (4 percent).
What is a vet anesthesia tech?
Veterinary anesthesia techs offer pain management to animals undergoing invasive veterinary procedures by preparing and administering various sedatives to animals. They are credentialed by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA).
What is the qualification for a vet tech?
In order to qualify for credentialing in any vet tech specialty, candidates must typically be licensed/credentialed/registered vet techs who have the requisite training, experience, and education to qualify for an academy’s specialty exam.
What is a CVTS?
In 1994, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) established the Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS) to recognize specific credentialing bodies (i.e., academies) and professional associations seeking to unite vet techs who are interested in a specific veterinary discipline (i.e., societies).
What is a vet tech?
As the nurses of the animal medicine world, veterinary technicians are an essential part of the animal healthcare team. By taking on administrative, customer-facing, and routine clinical tasks, vet techs extend the capacity of a veterinarian to focus on diagnosis, surgery, and treatment planning.
How many hours of CE do you need to become an animal behavior psychologist?
To maintain certification, candidates need 60 hours of CE every five years or they can retake the VTS (Behavior) exam. To learn more about this specialty, check out these pages: vet psychologists and animal behavior programs, how to become an animal psychologist, and top 15 animal behavior professors.
What is a VTS certification?
Earning a VTS certification is proof of deep dedication to the vet tech occupation, and to a vet tech’s commitment to perpetual growth within the specialization, which can translate into more opportunity and/or more earning. With most VTS certifications requiring a minimum of three years and thousands of hours of experience dedicated to a specialty, having the certification is a clear sign and signal to employers of quality knowledge and skills. While not easy to attain, VTS can help a job candidate to be more competitive in the job market or earn more at their current position.
How long does it take to become a vet tech?
Veterinary technicians typically have a two-year associate degree , while technologists have a four-year bachelor’s degree and may take on greater responsibilities in a clinic.
How many hours do you need to be a vet tech?
Veterinary surgical technicians—the group requiring the most rigorous training—must have 10,000 hours (i.e., five years) of experience as a vet tech prior to seeking credentialing through the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians (AVST). At least 6,000 of these hours must have been in a surgical environment with 4,500 dedicated exclusively to performing surgical duties.
How many hours of experience do you need to become a vet tech?
The main credentialing entity in this field is the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Techs, which requires candidates to show proof of state vet tech credentialing; have at least 4,000 hours of relevant experience; complete 40 hours of qualifying CE; and provide evidence of advanced competence through case logs, in-depth case reports, and letters of recommendation. This VTS specialty can be completed in either clinical or research areas.
What does a vet tech do?
What is a Veterinary Technician and What Do Vet Techs Do? A veterinary technician—a trained nurse for animals—carefully opens a sleeping dog’s mouth. They reveal two rows of sharp teeth and start taking x-rays to show weaknesses where the enamel has worn down over time.
What is anesthesia tech?
Veterinary anesthesia techs help provide pain management during animal surgical procedures. These specialists are credentialed by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA) after accumulating 4,500 hours in administering anesthesia; completing at least 50 case logs; writing four in-depth reports; submitting 40 hours of continuing education (CE); and passing an exam.
How long is a dermatologist's certification valid?
The certification is valid for three years.
What is a veterinarian practice technician?
Veterinary clinical practice technicians have targeted skills working in an animal healthcare clinical setting, typically with a specific species. The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice (AVTCP) offers three specialized VTS credentials in this area: canine/feline, exotic companion animal, or production medicine.
What does a vet tech do?
A vet tech works with a licensed veterinarian to conduct medical tests, diagnose animals' injuries and illnesses, and work with owners to maintain a high quality of life for their pets. This job focuses on ensuring animals are handled carefully, treated humanely and cared for properly. Some vet tech responsibilities include:
Average salary
On average, veterinary technicians make $15.86 per hour. This salary is reported on Indeed from vet techs and other users. Vet techs usually spend less than one year with an employer.
How to become a vet tech
If you want to pursue a career as a veterinary technician, you should be highly organized, dedicated and love animals. Veterinary technicians require a high school diploma or equivalent to begin specialized education for the career. Here are the basic required steps to becoming a vet tech:
Important characteristics of vet techs
The role of a vet tech requires a unique set of qualities that help guarantee the success of a clinic and the health of the animals they care for. Some essential characteristics of a successful vet tech include:
Frequently asked questions
These are some answers to common questions about being a veterinary technician:
