Veterinary technicians have challenging yet rewarding careers.
They use their knowledge, skills, and expertise to assist veterinarians in the care of animals in various settings.
They are educated professionals who comply with the requirements of the state where they work as vet technicians.
People who want to consider becoming vet technicians need to have the ability to perform a range of tasks, including participating in medical
procedures.
Vet technicians perform various laboratory tests.
They actively participate in patient care and the monitoring of pets.
Some veterinary technicians have additional responsibilities.
The additional responsibilities may include things like delegating tasks to vet assistants.
The career growth over the next several years opens doors for new vet technicians or for those who want to advance to a vet technician career.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects there to be more than 12,000 new jobs and much faster than average job growth for vet technicians through at least 2034.
The various states have different education, license, and certification requirements for vet technicians.
Some states require veterinary technicians to have a license, while others require vet technicians to hold a certification or to be registered vet technicians.
Learn the requirements for your state or the state where you want to work as a vet technician.
Vet Technician License Requirements by State
Knowing the license requirements by state is important for anyone who wants to become a vet technician.
It is important to understand that some states may have other requirements, such as requiring vet technicians to hold a certification or to become registered vet technicians.
These states require vet technicians to have a license.
Alabama
The state of Alabama requires vet technicians to obtain a license to work in the state.
They must first graduate from an education program that is an accredited American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) veterinary technician program.
Students must sit for and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
They may then apply to the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to take the state licensing exam.
Once they pass it, new vet technicians will receive their license.
Alaska
Alaska requires vet technicians to be licensed to work in the state.
Candidates who want to become Licensed Vet technicians in Alabama must graduate from an AVMA-accredited vet technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE before applying for their license to the Alaska Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Delaware
People who want to work as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Delaware must complete a veterinary technician degree program that is accredited by the AVMA.
They must also pass the VTNE.
Once they complete these requirements, they can apply for review to the Delaware Board of Veterinary Medicine. The board issues licenses to vet technicians.
The state of Delaware does not allow people who have a criminal record or a criminal conviction to become licensed vet technicians.
Georgia
Georgia requires veterinary technicians to have a license.
People who want to become licensed vet technicians who work in the state must complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program.
They must pass the VTNE before they submit their application for a license to the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Licensed Veterinary Technicians in Georgia must renew their license every two years.
Kentucky
The state of Kentucky requires people who want to work as vet technicians in the state to have a license.
Candidates must first graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE exam before they submit their application for licensure to the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.
Maine
The state of Maine requires future vet technicians to complete a minimum of a two-year vet technician program that is certified by the standards of the AVMA.
People who want to become veterinary technicians must read the Board of Veterinary Medicine Licensing Rules.
They must also read Title 32, Chapter 71-A, Maine Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
People who want to work as licensed vet technicians in the state of Maine must pass the VTNE before they apply to the Maine Board of Veterinary Medicine for their license.
Licensed Vet technicians must renew their license every year to continue working in the state of Maine.
Michigan
Candidates who want to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Michigan must graduate from an AVMA-accredited vet technician education program.
People who want to get their license must also pass the VTNE before they can submit their license application to the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Montana
The state of Montana recently started requiring vet technicians to have a license.
People who want to become licensed vet technicians who work in the state must graduate from an accredited program and pass the VTNE.
They can then submit their license application to the Montana Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Nebraska
Nebraska requires vet technicians to have a license if they want to work in the state.
They must also graduate from an accredited veterinary technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE and submit their license application to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Nevada
The state of Nevada requires vet technicians to complete several requirements to get their license.
People who want to work as a Licensed Veterinary Technician must graduate from an accredited vet technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE and submit their license application to the Nevada Veterinary Medical Association.
New York
Licensed Veterinary Technicians who work in New York must first complete an AVMA-accredited vet technician program.
They then must sit for and pass the VTNE. Candidates then submit their license application to the New York State Education Department.
North Dakota
The state of North Dakota has requirements for people to become licensed vet technicians that are like some other states.
Complete an accredited vet technician program.
Sit for and pass the VTNE. Submit the license application to the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
South Carolina
South Carolina requires people who want to work as veterinary technicians to have a license.
They must first graduate from an accredited vet technician program and pass the VTNE.
Candidates can then submit their license application to the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Tennessee
The state of Tennessee requires people who want to become veterinary technicians to complete an accredited veterinary technician program.
They must pass the VTNE before they submit their license application to the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Virginia
Virginia requires its vet technicians to complete an accredited vet technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE before they can submit their license application to the state board.
The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine reviews the applications and issues the licenses.
Washington
People who want to become vet technicians in Washington need to graduate from an accredited vet technician program.
Students then sit for and pass the VTNE before they apply for their license.
They must also pass the Washington State Jurisprudence Examination.
The Washington State Department of Health issues the licenses.
States that Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
Some states do not require vet technicians to have a license.
They may require them to earn a certification.
Some other states refer to their vet technicians as registered vet technicians.
It is the responsibility of those who want to become vet technicians to know what the requirements and regulations are to become vet technicians in their state.
Arkansas
The state of Arkansas requires people who want to become a Certified Veterinary Technician to complete an accredited Veterinary Technician program.
They need to pass the VTNE and submit their application for certification to the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
Idaho
People who want to become vet technicians in the state of Idaho must earn a certification.
The state requires that vet technicians graduate from an accredited vet technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE to earn the Certified Veterinary Technician credential.
Illinois
The state of Illinois requires vet technicians to earn a certification.
People need to complete an accredited vet technician program and pass the VTNE.
They may then submit their application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.
Mississippi
Mississippi requires its vet technicians to become certified to work in the state.
They need to complete an accredited vet technician program.
They must also pass the VTNE.
Once they complete these requirements, they can submit their application for certification to the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Vet technicians must also provide three letters of recommendation with their application for certification.
Oregon
Vet technicians in Oregon must have a certification.
The state requires them to graduate from an accredited veterinary technician program.
They also need to pass the VTNE.
They can then submit their certification application to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania requires vet technicians to complete the requirements to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.
They need to complete an accredited vet technician program.
They need to pass the VTNE before they can submit their application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Wisconsin
Certified Veterinary Technicians in Wisconsin complete several requirements before earning their certification.
They complete an accredited vet technician education program.
They sit for and pass the VTNE.
They also must pass the state exam.
People who want to earn the certification then submit their application to the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board.
States with No License Requirement but Employer-Based Standards
Most states in the U.S. require vet technicians to have a license or a certification.
Some states have voluntary requirements for licensure, certification, or registration for their vet technicians.
This means that vet technicians may want to earn the certification or other credential, but they don’t need to do so in that state.
People who want to become vet technicians need to know that employers often have their own standards.
People who meet these employer-based standards are more likely to get the best vet technician jobs.
The employer standards may depend on the work setting.
One example is that there may be different standards or a scope of practice in an animal hospital, compared to a small vet practice.
No state in the U.S. has specific employer-based standards.
Vet technicians need to pay close attention to employer standards that are listed in job postings, and when they go to vet technician interviews.
Knowing these standards or requirements can possibly make the difference between getting a good job and having opportunities for advancement.
Look for employer standards such as requiring veterinary technicians to have experience or additional training.
Ask potential employers if they have any employer-based standards beyond the state license, registration, or certification requirements.
