Requirements to Become a Veterinary Technician

Veterinary technologists and technicians are typically animal lovers who have managed to turn their passion into employment. While some may use the terms "veterinary technologist" and "veterinary technician" interchangeably, there are distinct differences between the two, most notably in terms of education. The opportunity for employment is above average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.

Function

• Just as a nurse assists a physician, veterinary technicians assist veterinarians. Each veterinarian has a different skill set that she looks for in a veterinary technician. And while veterinary technologists and technicians might perform the same functions, veterinary technicians will be more likely to work in private practice veterinary offices, while the veterinary technologist might find employment in a more research-oriented job because of the higher level of schooling that a technologist requires.

Significance

• Veterinary technicians perform valuable services for the licensed veterinarians who employ them. While the veterinarian might be focusing on either diagnosis or treatment of a sick animal, it is the veterinary technician who is assisting the pet owner, as well as taking either blood or fecal samples. Naturally, one of the requirements for being a veterinary technician is the ability to deal with sick or elderly animals, taking samples as necessary.

Education

• In order to become a veterinary technician, specialized schooling is required. When applying to a veterinary technician school, it is helpful to have at least three years of math, three years of science and four years of English. Although an overall average of C-plus might gain you entrance into a veterinary technician school, it would be much more helpful to have a higher average grade. A heavy science background is also important to most schools.

Testing

• Some states require veterinary technicians to successfully pass a state exam in order to become a registered veterinary technician. While states such as Texas do not require a veterinary technician to be registered, it usually helps when searching for employment in the state to be a registered veterinary technician. Each state has its own requirements and these requirements can be found at the American Association of Veterinary State Boards website (see Resources).

Wages

• According to the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey Program, the median salary of veterinary technologists and veterinary technicians was slightly under $29,000 in May 2008. The low end of the scale were just under $20,000, while the 10 percent at the top of the pay scale made around $41,000.