People who want to start their career in veterinary medicine have several options.
They may not want to spend several years in school and training programs.
One option that allows people to work in a veterinary clinic, a veterinary hospital, or other settings is to become veterinary assistants.
One reason that this is a great option is the growing demand for qualified veterinary assistants across the country.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the job outlook for vet assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is “much faster than average” through at least 2034.
Although there were an estimated 117,800 veterinary assistants in the U.S. as of 2024, there will be more than 10,000 new jobs added over the next few years.
There are two questions that people are likely to want to know if they are considering a career working at a veterinary practice in this position.
How do I become a veterinary assistant?
How do I get a license to work as a veterinary assistant in my state or in another state?
The fact is that no state in the U.S. requires veterinary assistants to have a license.
That does not mean that there are no requirements.
Veterinary assistants must still complete the training and education that is required in their state or by their employer.
They may also want to earn certifications or become members of professional organizations or associations.
They also need to make sure that when they look at the license and certification requirements for their state that they are looking at the requirements for veterinary assistants, and not for veterinary technicians.
The two are different job titles and have different requirements in each state.
States that Require Veterinary Assistants to Have a License
It is important to know the difference between having a license and having a certification.
The two are sometimes confused with each other as being the same thing.
There are differences between having a professional license and a certification.
A license is granted by a government entity.
It gives people the legal authority to work in their occupation.
People who want to work in professions that require them to have a license are not allowed to do so until they have been granted their license.
A certification is awarded to people who complete the requirements for earning the credential.
It is a voluntary credential.
It shows that people who have a certification have the required knowledge and skills that they need to work in their profession.
Certifications are awarded by private associations or organizations.
None of the states in the U.S. requires veterinary assistants to have a license.
Some states do recommend that vet assistants earn a certification.
States That Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
None of the states requires veterinary assistants to have a certification.
The primary requirement for vet assistants in the various states is that they meet age requirements.
Vet assistants also need to have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED to meet the education requirements.
Although there are no certification requirements, many sources express the fact that having a certification can lead to better career opportunities.
Although the average annual salary for veterinary assistants varies by state, there are several sources that indicate that having certifications and experience can increase the salary for vet assistants.
One credential that future vet assistants may choose to increase their employment opportunities, since the states do not require them to have a certification, is the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA).
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) explains that after future veterinary assistants complete a NAVTA-approved vet assistant program, they may sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant exam.
The certification is available to anyone in any state who wants to earn the credential.
They will be recognized with the AVA designation if they pass the exam.
Some states do have specific mandates for veterinary assistants, regarding their scope of practice and training.
California
The California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB) explains the laws and regulations that give a definition of what a veterinary assistant is and their duties.
It also describes their limitations in their scope of practice.
The state defines a vet assistant as anyone who is not a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or a veterinarian.
Vet assistants are not allowed to perform any surgeries.
They cannot provide a diagnosis or a prognosis for any animal by themselves.
They may only do so under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
Veterinary assistants who work in California may earn the Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VASCP).
The permit is a credential that allows vet assistants to administer controlled substances to animals.
The credential allows them to perform direct and indirect auxiliary health care tasks in an animal hospital setting.
The tasks may be performed under the direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian.
California recently passed a new bill, AB 516, in October 2025.
The bill allows vet assistants to perform animal health care services in animal shelters, at societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and at humane societies.
They may perform these duties so long as they are not otherwise prohibited by law.
Texas
Texas law has some laws that restrict the scope of practice of vet assistants.
Section 801.363 Delegation and Supervision of Animal Care Tasks indicates that supervising veterinarians shall determine the appropriate level of supervision for tasks that are delegated to vet assistants and to certified vet assistants.
Certified veterinary assistants may have more duties and responsibilities compared to tasks that are assigned to vet assistants who do not have a certification.
The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) offers the Certified Veterinary Assistants Program.
The TVMA established the requirements that must be met for someone who wants to earn the CVA Level I certification.
The requirements include:
- Must complete 500 hours of work experience under the supervision of a veterinarian who is licensed to practice in the U.S. or under the supervision of a Licensed Veterinary Technician
- Must gain and demonstrate all the required Level I materials
- Must gain and demonstrate the required hands-on skills
- Must have the exam application and the skills checklist completed and approved by a licensed vet or licensed vet technician
- Must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70 percent
Certified Level I veterinary assistants must wait at least six months before they can apply to take the Level II exam.
The same is true for Certified Level II veterinary assistants who want to take the Level III exam.
They must also complete the continuing education requirement for certification renewal.
States With No License Requirement but Employer-Based Standards
Alabama
There are no license requirements for vet assistants in Alabama.
The fact that there are more than 1,000 veterinary assistants in the state means that employers are likely to choose those who have completed a veterinary assistant program or who have a certification.
Alaska
Alaska vet hospitals, clinics, and other facilities that hire vet assistants are more likely to hire those who have formal training beyond high school.
Arizona
Arizona has more than 2,000 vet assistants.
Employers will likely hire those who have a certification or education beyond a high school diploma.
Arkansas
Employers often have standards for vet assistants who work for them.
Veterinary assistants who work in Arkansas must meet the age requirement and the education requirement.
Vet assistants who have earned a certification or who have completed an education or training program are likely to get the best jobs.
Colorado
Colorado employers who hire veterinary assistants usually require them to have a high school diploma or GED.
They often require vet assistants to complete a vet assistant education program.
Connecticut
Complete a veterinary assistant program or earn a certification to have the best job opportunities in the state of Connecticut.
Delaware
Employers in Delaware will likely choose applicants to work for them who have completed a vet assistant program.
Some employers may want vet assistants to have the Certified Vet Assistant Level I certification.
Florida
Florida employers who hire vet assistants are likely to know that they can choose the best ones in the state, since there are an estimated 7,000 or more vet assistants in Florida.
Many employers will likely require that vet assistants have completed a training or education program.
They may also require them to earn a certification.
Georgia
Earn a certification or complete a veterinary assistant program if you want to have the best vet assistant job opportunities in the state of Georgia.
The state does not require a license or certification, but employers may require credentials for their vet assistants.
Illinois
Illinois veterinarians, animal hospitals, humane societies, and other employers who hire vet assistants may have employer-based standards.
Hiring the best vet assistants means considering if applicants have completed a vet assistant program or earned a certification.
Indiana
The state of Indiana does not require veterinary assistants to earn a certification.
Employers have their own standards for hiring vet assistants.
They may require them to have a certification.
Some other employers will likely give preference to applicants who have a certification or who have completed a vet assistant program.
Iowa
The state of Iowa does not have license or certification requirements for vet assistants.
Employers often look at things like whether applicants have completed a veterinary assistant education program.
Completing a training or education program may improve job opportunities.
Maryland
Maryland does not require vet assistants to have a certification.
Employers may still consider hiring vet assistants who do have a certification or AVA designation over those who do not have the credentials.
Michigan
The state of Michigan does not require vet assistants to complete a certification.
Employers are more likely to consider those who do have a certification.
This is especially true since there are more than 4,000 vet assistants in the state.
New York
There are many opportunities for vet assistants who work in New York.
Employers who hire vet assistants require them to meet employer-based standards.
Many employers are likely to require that their veterinary assistants have a Level I Certified Veterinary Assistant credential.
They may also require them to renew their certification when required to do so.
North Carolina
The state of North Carolina does not require that veterinary assistants complete a veterinary assistant education program.
It also does not require them to earn a certification.
Animal hospitals, vet practices, and other places that hire vet assistants often require them to have completed these things for employment.
Ohio
The state of Ohio has more than 4,000 veterinary assistants.
Places that hire them are likely to have employer-based requirements that vet assistants must meet certain education and certification requirements.
Pennsylvania
Veterinary assistants who work in Pennsylvania do not have to have a certification.
They will likely find it much easier to get a job if they have the Certified Veterinary Assistant credential.
South Carolina
South Carolina does not require veterinary assistants to complete a vet assistant program.
The state also does not require them to earn certifications.
Vet assistants are more likely to find a good job with a good salary if they have credentials.
Employers may require them.
Virginia
People who want to work as vet assistants in Virginia do not have to have a certification.
They do not have to show that they completed a veterinary assistant education program.
Animal hospitals, clinics, vet practices, and other places that hire vet assistants will be more likely to hire those who have the best education and a certification.
Washington
Several sources indicate that the state of Washington has more than 4,700 veterinary assistants.
Many of them likely earned a certification so that they can meet employer-based standards for hiring vet assistants.
Completing a vet assistant education program also raises the chances of getting a good vet assistant job in the state.
West Virginia
The state of West Virginia, like many other states, does not require veterinary assistants to earn a certification.
They are also not required to show that they completed a vet assistant education or training program.
People who earn the Certified Veterinary Assistant credential and who complete an education program are more likely to get the best vet assistant jobs.
