Veterinary Technician Careers: Pathways, Credentials, and the Role of CE by Lisa Coder, MS, DVM

Many types of veterinary professionals, with varying levels of education, can be found within a clinic or veterinary medical facility, each with a different and important role to play. Veterinarians are medical doctors, with eight or more years of training, and are solely responsible for diagnosing, prescribing treatment, and performing surgery. A licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician or veterinary technologist acts generally as the veterinarian’s assistant (think of them like a super-nurse). They may also have duties that include radiology, dental hygienist, laboratory, anesthesia, surgical assistant, patient advocate, and client educator, among other things. In general, although it may vary by state, the term ‘veterinary technician’ indicates a veterinary professional who has passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination, while a ‘veterinary technologist’ is for credentialed technicians who also hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a veterinary course of study. ‘Veterinary assistants’ generally do not hold any type of credentials and have not passed any licensing examination. Depending on the state, they may be limited in what duties they are legally allowed to perform within a veterinary medical environment.

What Vet Techs Do

On a daily basis in a veterinary clinic, veterinary technicians can be found taking x-rays, drawing blood, placing intravenous catheters, administering medications, coordinating patient care, planning and conducting anesthesia, assisting in surgery, performing dental cleanings, and many more things. Veterinary technicians and technologists can, in most states, perform all tasks that are not specifically designated to veterinary doctors. Veterinary technicians or technologists are specially trained to perform comprehensive patient care under the supervision of a veterinarian. They may also be responsible for training other employees, supervisory or management duties, providing client education, and equipment maintenance. Many veterinary technicians are in charge of the entire operation of a veterinary clinic. You can find veterinary technicians or technologists in more places than just veterinary clinics; in fact, you will find vet techs in all aspects of animal care, including biomedical research, zoo/wildlife medicine, industry, military, livestock health management, pharmaceutical sales, pathological laboratories, telehealth operations, and many other places.

How Do I Become a Credentialed Veterinary Technician?

In general, veterinary technicians and technologists are required to complete a degree in Veterinary Technology or related field and then take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) in order to earn their title. Veterinary technicians earn associates degrees and veterinary technologists have a bachelor’s degree. You can explore Veterinary Technology programs in your area to see which is the best fit for you. Once they have completed their degree, they can then apply to their individual state for credentialing. The exact type of credential a vet tech receives depends on the individual state and whether they license, register, or certify their technicians; different states either have Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT), Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT), or Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT). Some states require a state-specific examination in addition to the VTNE and others do not. While a few states may give credit for on-the-job training and allow applicants to take the VTNE without a degree and if they pass, issue them credentials, the American Association of State Veterinary Boards (AASVB) recently ruled to disallow this pathway. You can explore what your state requires and review the process for yourself through the AASVB or check with your school for more information. If you have additional questions, you can look up the regulatory body in your jurisdiction here.

What is a “Specialized” Veterinary Technician (VTS)?

A specialized veterinary technician is a technician or technologist who has extensive education in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has taken a rigorous test to ensure they have the knowledge and talent to be considered a specialist. There are many different VTS specialties recognized and managed by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians  in America (NAVTA). These technicians may work in specialty clinics, provide advanced care in specific areas of veterinary medicine, take on teaching or leadership roles, or may simply enjoy their specialty.

The role of Continuing Education (CE) in a Vet Tech Career

Continuing Education is of utmost importance in veterinary professionals. Veterinary medicine is constantly changing and improving, and veterinary technicians need to be able to keep up with all of the advances in order to care for their patients well. CE can also allow technicians to explore special interests and career opportunities. There are many pathways a veterinary technician can use to comply with CE requirements in their jurisdiction. The specific route taken depends on many factors - career goals, special interests, and the current work environment are just a few. Vet techs might want to take practical CE, online CE, attend a conference, or even work towards an internationally respected further qualification like a Vet Tech Certificate. Continuing education is the cornerstone of excellent patient care, client communication, and a veterinary technician’s ability to help their doctors to the best of their abilities. The best technicians in the profession take CE that supports their special interests, hones their abilities, and fuels their passion for their craft.

FAQs About Being a Veterinary Technician in the US

Q) Can I become a “vet nurse” in the US? A) No. At this time in the US, “nurse” is a protected title that is only able to be held by nurses in human medicine. There is an initiative to try to either be allowed to use the term “vet nurse” or to have one unifying set of nomenclature to refer to technicians. Q) Do online CE hours count for vet tech CE requirements? A) Each state or jurisdiction has its own rules about which CE is accepted for your license. In most cases, any RACE-approved CE is counted toward your requirements. You can check with your state board or check our state-by-state CE guide Q) Do I need a degree to become a vet tech in the US? A) Yes, in the majority of US states you need a degree to become credentialed. There are a few states, however, that may permit on-the-job training and allow you to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and state examination (if one exists) without a degree. You can contact your state board for more information. Q) What is the next step up for a vet tech? A) The next step up for a vet tech completely depends on career goals, talents, and interests. You can find work in a specialty clinic with a VTS, teach or train new employees at a clinic or veterinary technician school, manage or run a practice or laboratory, work in research, vaccine and pharmaceutical development, or in animal production, just to name a few. A veterinary technician certificate may be a good step toward finding your passion within the profession.

Veterinary Technicians: A Challenging and Rewarding Career

Veterinary technicians are the backbone of the veterinary profession. The best patient care comes from well-educated technicians who are dedicated to their occupation. Continuing education allows veterinary technicians to fulfill this vital role and both excel and enjoy their careers. If you think becoming a veterinary technician is the right step for you, you can find out more information through the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). This is a great starting point to prepare to enter one of the most challenging and rewarding careers out there. If you love animals and helping people take the best care of their pets, you can learn more about the profession by visiting a veterinary technical college, checking out the resources at NAVTA, or even job-shadowing at your local veterinary clinic. In most cases, you’ll find helpful people who can point you in the right direction to launch a new passion - your veterinary technician career!

Author

The Improve Team

Veterinary Technician Careers: Pathways, Credentials, and the Role of CE by Lisa Coder, MS, DVM

What Vet Techs Do

How Do I Become a Credentialed Veterinary Technician?

What is a “Specialized” Veterinary Technician (VTS)?

The role of Continuing Education (CE) in a Vet Tech Career

FAQs About Being a Veterinary Technician in the US

Veterinary Technicians: A Challenging and Rewarding Career

Author

Inside the program: Exploring anesthesia with Devon Kilminster RVN

The impact of a feline certificate on me, my patients, and my practice

How to know you’re ready for advanced veterinary training

Top Questions Veterinarians and Vet Techs Have About CE Certificates (and Their Answers) by Lisa Coder, MS, DVM

7 expert tips for postgraduate veterinary assessments – how to ace your revision and technique!

Veterinary Technician Careers: Pathways, Credentials, and the Role of CE by Lisa Coder, MS, DVM

What Vet Techs Do

How Do I Become a Credentialed Veterinary Technician?

What is a “Specialized” Veterinary Technician (VTS)?

The role of Continuing Education (CE) in a Vet Tech Career

FAQs About Being a Veterinary Technician in the US

Veterinary Technicians: A Challenging and Rewarding Career

Author

Related content

Related content

Inside the program: Exploring anesthesia with Devon Kilminster RVN

The impact of a feline certificate on me, my patients, and my practice

How to know you’re ready for advanced veterinary training

Top Questions Veterinarians and Vet Techs Have About CE Certificates (and Their Answers) by Lisa Coder, MS, DVM

7 expert tips for postgraduate veterinary assessments – how to ace your revision and technique!