JobMinglrJobMinglr
← All career paths

Healthcare

How to become a Veterinary Technician

Supports a veterinarian with anaesthesia, lab work, imaging and nursing care for animal patients. From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
2 years
Typical pay
$36k–$48k
Starting from
No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

Commonly asked for

  • Associate degree from an AVMA-accredited program required
  • No prior experience required to enrol
  • VTNE exam and state registration required in most states
See veterinary technician jobs open now

The route

  1. Finish an AVMA-accredited program

    Two-year degree covering anaesthesia, radiology, lab work and nursing.

    Course that covers thisCertified Veterinary Clinical Assistant & Laboratory TechUdemy · around $19.99

  2. Pass the VTNE

    The national veterinary technician exam.

    VTNE

    Get it from American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB)

  3. Register with your state

    Titles vary — RVT, LVT or CVT depending where you are.

  4. Destination

    Veterinary Technician

    Browse jobs now

Course links are Udemy affiliate links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.