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Are you looking to become a veterinary technician? There’s a strong demand for these paravetinary workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in fact, the number of veterinary technicians operating in the United States is expected to grow by 16% over the next eight years. That’s much faster than the average growth rate for all jobs. To secure a job as a veterinary technician, though, you’ll have to meet all the necessary education and licensing requirements.

Make Sure It’s Right for You

Before embarking on your journey to become a veterinary technician, you should familiarize yourself with this job to ensure that it’s right for you. As previously mentioned, veterinary technologists are paravetinary workers. In other workers, they assist and work alongside licensed veterinarians.

Veterinary technologists aren’t considered licensed veterinarians. Nonetheless, they provide essential medical services to animals in need. As a veterinary technician, some of your duties may include drawing blood, conducting X-rays, collecting tissue samples, administering vaccinations and providing assistance during surgeries.

Find a Veterinary Technology Program

All veterinary technicians must complete a veterinary technology program. A veterinary technology program is a learning program offered by various colleges that focuses on the fundamentals of veterinary technology. There are dozens of colleges throughout the United States that offer American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA)-accredited veterinary technology programs. When enrolled in one of these programs, you’ll learn about veterinary technology while positioning yourself a little closer to becoming a veterinary technician.

How long does a veterinary technology program last exactly? For most colleges, veterinary technology programs are either two or three years long. You’ll essentially earn an associate’s degree after completing a veterinary technology program. It’s important to note that there are four-year veterinary technology programs available as well. These longer programs, though, are designed for aspiring veterinary technologists. Veterinary technologists require more schooling than their technology counterparts. To become a veterinary technologist, you’ll need to complete a four-year veterinary technology program, resulting in a bachelor’s degree. Veterinary technicians, on the other hand, only need to complete a two-year veterinary technology program.

Complete the College’s Prerequisites

After finding a veterinary technology program at an accredited college, you should check the college’s prerequisites. At a minimum, for example, you’ll need a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a General Education Development (GED). Most colleges only accept students who’ve earned a high school diploma or an equivalent.

Some colleges may also require volunteer work involving animals. You can typically volunteer at an animal shelter or a veterinary clinic to secure the necessary number of hours of volunteer work. Once you’ve completed the college’s prerequisites, you can enroll in its veterinary program, assuming you meet all of the college’s other prerequisites.

Complete the Veterinary Technology Program

The completion of a veterinary technology program is essential to becoming a veterinary technician. As previously mentioned, veterinary technology programs are either two or three years long. You’ll have to complete a veterinary program in order to practice as a veterinary technician.

While the curriculum varies depending on the college, most veterinary technology programs cover the following information:

• The different types of veterinary practices
• Animal behavior
• Animal restraint and handling methods
• Physical examinations
• Computer applications
• Animal anatomy
• Radiography
• Biology
• Small animal medicine
• Large animal medicine
• Animal nutrition
• Animal aging
• Animal reproduction
• Animal anesthesia
• Animal parasitology
• Surgical nursing

Get Licensed or Certified

After completing the college’s veterinary technology program, you’ll need to become either licensed or certified in the state where you wish to practice. Like with most veterinary professionals, states are responsible for regulating animal technicians. Some states require veterinary technicians to become licensed, whereas other states require them to become certified. Regardless, you can’t practice as a veterinary technician in a given state until you meet the state’s requirements.

Most states will require you to pass a test to become licensed or certified. Known as the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), it’s designed to evaluate your level of competency regarding veterinary technology. It’s offered three times a year at testing centers throughout the country. You can visit one of these testing centers to take the VTNE. Assuming you pass it, you can become licensed or certified as a veterinary technician in your respective state.

You can learn more about the VTNE, as well as schedule an appointment to take the VTNE, by visiting the American Association of Veterinary State Boards website here.

In Conclusion

Becoming a veterinarian technician may sound difficult, but it’s relatively easy if you’re willing to put forth the time and effort. You just need to earn your high school diploma or an equivalent, followed by enrolling in a veterinary technology program at a college. After completing the program, you can take the VTNE to become licensed or certified as a veterinary technician, thereby allowing you to practice while helping animals in need.