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The field of veterinary medicine isn’t linear. Rather, it’s a broad and ever-growing industry that covers a myriad of professions. There are veterinary technicians and technologists, for instance, who work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. They help veterinarians diagnose, treat and prevent disease and injuries in animal patients. While they share many of the same responsibilities, though, veterinarian technicians aren’t the same as technologists.

What Is a Veterinary Technician?

A veterinary technician is an animal care professional who assists a veterinarian with his or her daily tasks. They typically work at private clinics alongside a veterinarian where they provide medical care to animal patients. Veterinary technicians are formally trained to treat a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, fish, birds and more.

What Is a Veterinary Technologist?

Like veterinary technicians, a veterinary technologist is an animal care professional who provides assistance to a veterinarian. They also work at private clinics under the supervision of a veterinarian. Veterinary technicians and technologists even share many of the same responsibilities, all of which involve medically caring for patient animals.

Shared responsibilities of veterinary technicians and technologists include the following:

• Drawing blood and tissue samples
• Taking x-rays
• Interviewing clients about the history of their pets
• Performing physical examinations of animals
• Sterilizing instruments for surgery
• Preparing animal patients for surgery
• Administering vaccines
• Administering anesthesia
• Creating medical records
• Offering advice to clients
• Providing emergency first aid

The Difference Between a Veterinary Technician and Technologist

The primary difference between a veterinary technician and technologies is that the latter requires more undergraduate education than the former. To become a veterinary technician, you must earn an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology. To become a veterinary technologist, on the other hand, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology.

To become either a veterinary technician or a technologist, you’ll need to enroll in an accredited college of veterinary medicine, of which there are about 30 in the United States. Veterinary technicians, however, typically only need an associate’s degree, which is a two-year program. In comparison, veterinary technologists require a bachelor’s degree, which is a four-year program.

In addition to their nuances in formal education, there are a few subtle differences regarding the responsibilities of veterinary technicians and technologists. Because they have more formal training, veterinary technologists are capable of performing a wider range of tasks than technicians. A veterinary technologist, for example, might be able to analyze blood and tissue samples on behalf of a veterinarian.

Licensing for Veterinary Technicians and Technologists

After graduating from an accredited college of veterinary medicine with a degree in Veterinary Technology, you’ll need to fulfill your state’s respective requirements for licensure and accreditation. Most states, for instance, require graduates to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). It’s a comprehensive three-hour-long examination that will gauge your level of competency on veterinary medicine, specifically that which relates to the professions of veterinary technicians and technologists.

The VTNE uses a score system, with 100 being a perfect score. So, what score do you need in order to pass the VTNE? The minimal passing score is determined by the state in which you are seeking licensure and accreditation. Some states have a lower minimal passing score, such as 425, whereas others have a higher minimal passing score. Prior to taking the VTNE, you should check the requirements for your state.

It’s important to note that most states only offer licensing and accreditation for veterinary technicians. An exception is Missouri, which offers licensing and accreditation for both veterinary technicians and technologists. You can still become a veterinary technologist — you’ll just have to obtain licensure and accreditation as a veterinary technician unless you intend to practice in Missouri.

Which Veterinary Profession Is Right for You?

So, which of these veterinary professionals is right for you? As previously mentioned, veterinary technicians and technologists are very similar. They both work at private clinics under the supervision of a veterinarian. Veterinary technologists, however, are often capable of performing more tasks, such as blood and tissue analyses, than their technician counterparts.

Of course, to become a veterinary technologist, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology. Veterinary technicians only need an associate’s degree. If you’re not willing to invest four years into formal education, perhaps a technologist is the right profession for you. Both veterinary technicians and technologists are high-paying professions in the veterinary industry that will open the doors to other career opportunities.

In Conclusion

Along with veterinary assistants, technicians and technologists are animal care professionals who assist veterinarians. They help veterinarians diagnose and treat medical conditions in patient animals. The difference between these two professions is that veterinary technicians require two years of formal training at an accredited college of veterinary technology, whereas the veterinary technologists require four years of formal training at an accredited college of veterinary technology.