Most veterinary technicians earn a two-year associate degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, then pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and register with their state. Depending on the state, the credential is called CVT, LVT or RVT. Some people instead complete a four-year bachelor’s in veterinary technology, which can open doors to research, teaching or management.
What vet techs actually do
A vet tech is to a veterinarian roughly what a nurse is to a physician. The veterinarian diagnoses, prescribes and performs surgery; the technician makes much of the rest happen.
- In the exam room: taking histories and vital signs, restraining patients safely, drawing blood and placing IV catheters.
- Behind the scenes: running lab tests, taking radiographs, preparing and monitoring anesthesia, cleaning teeth, and caring for hospitalized patients.
- With people: explaining discharge instructions, calming nervous owners and supporting families through euthanasia.
- Settings: general practices, emergency and specialty hospitals, shelters, research facilities, zoos and farm practices. Emergency hospitals run nights, weekends and holidays.
Vet tech or vet assistant?
The titles get mixed up. Veterinary assistants usually train on the job or through a short course and handle feeding, cleaning, restraint and basic support. Veterinary technicians have formal education and a credential, and in most states they can do more, such as inducing anesthesia under a veterinarian’s direction. Working as an assistant first is a smart way to test the field.
Training and the VTNE
- Associate degree: about two years at a community college or technical school, with lab work and clinical placements. This is the most common route.
- Bachelor’s degree: about four years, useful for research, lab animal work, teaching or practice management.
- Distance programs: some accredited programs are online, with required clinical hours completed at a veterinary practice where you work or volunteer.
- The VTNE: a national computer-based exam covering pharmacology, surgical nursing, dentistry, lab procedures, anesthesia, imaging and more.
Each state sets its own rules, the title it uses and whether alternate routes exist. Most require graduation from an accredited program. Check your state veterinary licensing board before you enroll.
A step-by-step plan from high school
- Take biology, chemistry and algebra, and work on clear communication. You will explain things to stressed owners every day.
- Get a job or volunteer role at a clinic, shelter, boarding kennel or grooming shop.
- Choose an accredited veterinary technology program. Ask about clinical placements and recent VTNE pass rates.
- Graduate, pass the VTNE and complete your state credential.
- Start in general practice or emergency, then consider a specialty. Experienced techs can pursue Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) recognition in areas like anesthesia, dentistry or emergency and critical care.
Try it before you enroll
- Shadow a technician through a full shift, ideally in a busy practice.
- Spend a summer as a kennel attendant or assistant.
- Talk to techs in two or three settings through informational interviews. A shelter tech and an emergency tech have very different days.
- If you are weighing a longer program, read how to become a veterinarian and compare.
The people who stay, and why some go
Vet techs who do well are steady with animals and people, detail oriented with doses and records, and physically up for lifting and standing all shift. People leave over pay, physical strain, limited room to advance in some clinics and compassion fatigue. Talking with a licensed mental health professional is the right step if the grief and stress pile up. In a crisis, call or text 988. Many techs move into specialty work, practice management, research, teaching or industry roles.
Switching careers into veterinary technology
Career changers do well here, especially people from customer service, medical or lab backgrounds. An evening or distance program can let you keep working while you train. Our guides to changing careers, careers that skip the four-year degree and starting at community college cover the bigger picture. For pay and outlook, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps a young adult explore whether animal care is the right fit, compare programs, stay on track through coursework and clinical hours, and prepare for interviews and the first job. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors, admissions counselors or licensing experts. Learn about our career and education mentoring and young adult mentoring.
Related
- Career paths: guides to dozens of careers
- How to become a dental hygienist
- How to become a nurse
- Careers for people who like helping
Common questions
How long does it take to become a vet tech?
Most people finish an associate degree in about two years, then take the VTNE. A bachelor’s route takes about four years.
What is the difference between CVT, LVT and RVT?
They are state titles for the same basic role. Which one applies depends on the state where you work, and the requirements behind each are set by that state.
Can I work as a vet tech without a credential?
In many states you can work in a clinic as an assistant, but using the technician title and doing certain tasks requires the state credential. Rules vary, so check your state board.
Is vet tech a good step toward vet school?
It gives excellent veterinary experience, which admissions committees value. You still need the full pre-vet prerequisites and a DVM.
Get started
Love animals and want a clear plan into veterinary work? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.