Vet Tech Certifications

Anyone tending to animal health daily will acknowledge that skilled veterinary technicians form the backbone of any thriving veterinary clinical practice. The demand continues to rise for these highly skilled, licensed veterinary technicians as the field advances. With various vet tech certifications and specializations, these vets deliver: 

• Reliable emergency care
• Assistance with surgical procedures
• Critical care for farm animals
• And much more

What does the successful completion of a certification exam for veterinary technicians mean? In many states, these credentials allow vet techs to assume important clinical responsibilities with or without the supervision of a veterinarian. Still, this training and knowledge goes well beyond a basic Veterinary Technician National Examination. 

Below are some details about certification and training details for vet techs to inform aspiring veterinary technicians and forward-thinking veterinary practice owners about their options.

Understanding Certification for Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary technician certifications are specialized credentials. Most veterinary technicians want to earn them to demonstrate advanced competency in very specific areas of veterinary medicine. Typically, professional organizations offer these credentials and require the following:

• Fulfilling educational prerequisites
• Gaining relevant work experience
• Passing rigorous examinations

Getting certified signifies a vet tech’s commitment to professional development. The expertise also leads to better job opportunities and increased recognition in the field.

Basic Requirements for Becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician

So, how can you become a licensed veterinary technician? Firstly, all vet techs-to-be must fulfill specific requirements from the state and potential employers. 

For example, someone seeking to become a licensed and registered veterinary technician might need to complete the following steps:

• Earn a high school diploma
• Complete an associate degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association or AVMA-accredited veterinary school
• Gain hands-on training by completing clinical hours
• Achieve a passing score on the VTNE or another standardized exam based on your state requirements. (Most states require only the VTNE, but some areas require an additional state exam to officially title you a “certified veterinary technician”)

Of course, after you become a certified veterinary technician, you can always continue to level up your vet tech education. Continuing Education courses hone your skills or help you to become certified in more advanced positions in critical care, anesthesia, and other specialization areas.

Types of Vet Tech Certifications & Programs

The advance of veterinary technology also means that veterinary technician certification holders don’t need to stay in one position forever–the sky’s the limit! Sometimes, certification programs and more hands-on experience will progress career paths or direct you into various specialties, such as:

• Animal anatomy
• Emergency vet care
• Anesthesia
• Laboratory procedures

How can you shape your veterinary technician career or that of the vet techs in your clinic? Understanding the vet tech certifications and educational programs out there helps. For example, many certified veterinary technicians study the following to expand their education:

Veterinary Technician Specialist

Becoming a licensed veterinary technician specialist is a common option for those hoping to progress their career within the field while gaining experience. Licensed Veterinary Technician Specialists are certified to complete more advanced tasks like:

• Critical care
• Emergency care
• Animal dentistry
• Anesthesiology
• Surgery

Still, every VTS specialty comes with its own requirements. You may need to pursue experience in a related vet tech program, such as case logs, case reports, proven skills, or even additional exams. 

Fear Free Certified Professional Vet Tech

What does the Fear Free Certified Professional program teach veterinarians, vet techs, and other veterinarian professionals? A vital skill–how to eliminate fear and anxiety in the animals they care for. Completing this certification helps licensed veterinary technicians maintain their skills and expand their career opportunities.

Also, in addition to benefiting the pets your practice treats, offering this vet tech program to registered veterinary technicians is a great way to improve the service quality you provide. That way, every pet receives excellent care. 

Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner

The CVPP is one of the more challenging courses, but it is open to any licensed veterinary technician looking to expand their education and career with more credentials. What does completion of this certification and all the required credentials promise veterinary technology professionals? For one, it brings the skills needed to enhance pet pain management.

This focus allows better health outcomes and comfort for the animals themselves. Required credentials may include five years of working in a clinic plus two years of experience in a clinical role that involves managing pet pain.

The Benefits Vet Tech Certification Programs

Additional credentialing benefits anyone working in veterinary technology. Whether you’re a certified veterinary technician or a vet practice owner eyeing Continuing Education courses, the following advantages make gaining new vet tech skills a win:

• Increased job opportunities: Credentialing opens up new vet tech jobs and potentially higher-paying opportunities.
• Enhanced health knowledge: Continuing Education courses, clinical hours, and other certification requirements teach veterinary technicians valuable information for enhanced health care. The pets in the clinic may have better health outcomes as the veterinary technology team handles all scenarios adeptly.
• Heightened recognition and respect: A veterinary technician with higher credentials can earn more respect and recognition within the veterinary technology community, ensuring more opportunities down the line.

How To Prepare for the Veterinary Technician National Exam and Additional Testing

We’ve covered the advanced credentialing options for registered veterinary technician teams. However, there’s more to know about how to get vet tech certification. One major thing after getting your degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school is passing the VTNE to get your vet tech license and certification.

Here are some preparation tips for the veterinary technician exam:

• Prepare far in advance. For all vet tech certifications, allow ample study time
• Review the sample questions. Look at the American Association of Veterinary State Boards’ material
• Pay attention to the details. Common abbreviations, references, content domains, and task lists are important
• Take your time. The exam is challenging but worth it

Beyond graduating from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school and passing the VTNE, some veterinary technician students may need to sit for state-specific exams to get full licensure in veterinary technology. Certain employers may also require a full bachelor’s degree from an AVMA-accredited school (not just a two-year degree).

Integrating Training Programs Into Your Veterinary Practice

Investing in education goes a long way for veterinary technology staff. Accredited education programs empower your veterinary technology team with the skills and knowledge to handle emergency situations, surgical exams, stressed animals in pain, and much more. 

Won’t a veterinary technician with higher credentials better support your veterinarians to provide superior medical care and client satisfaction? If you are not already encouraging your certified vet techs to take Continuing Education courses, certification programs, or other career advancement steps, it is a great time to start.

Long-Term Career Advancements Through Certification Training for Veterinarians

Attending an AVMA-accredited school does not need to be the only formal education in a certified vet tech’s career. Continuing Education courses and certification programs accelerate career development, even placing veterinary technology professionals into specialized roles or management positions.

If you’re a veterinary technician looking to move up in the ranks, certification programs are invaluable. If you own a clinic that struggles with employee turnover, investing in the education of your veterinary technician team offers long-term value.

Understanding Certification for Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary technician certifications are specialized credentials. Most veterinary technicians want to earn them to demonstrate advanced competency in particular areas of veterinary medicine. Typically, professional organizations offer these credentials and require the following:

• Fulfilling educational prerequisites
• Gaining relevant work experience
• Passing rigorous examinations

Getting certified signifies a vet tech’s commitment to professional development. The expertise also leads to better job opportunities and increased recognition in the field.

Basic Requirements for Becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician

So, how can you become a licensed veterinary technician? Firstly, all vet techs-to-be must fulfill specific requirements from the state and potential employers. 

For example, someone seeking to become a licensed and registered veterinary technician might need to complete the following steps:

1. Earn a high school diploma.
2. Complete an associate degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association or AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
3. Gain hands-on training by completing clinical hours.
4. Achieve a passing score on the VTNE or another standardized exam based on your state requirements. (Most states require only the VTNE, but some areas require an additional state exam to officially title you a “certified veterinary technician.”)

Of course, after you become a certified veterinary technician, you can always continue to level up your vet tech education. Continuing Education courses hone your skills or help you to become certified in more advanced positions in critical care, anesthesia, and other specialization areas.

Types of Vet Tech Certifications & Programs

The advance of veterinary technology also means that veterinary technician certification holders don’t need to stay in one position forever–the sky’s the limit! Sometimes, certification programs and more hands-on experience will progress career paths or direct you into various specialties, such as:

• Animal anatomy
• Emergency vet care
• Anesthesia
• Laboratory procedures

How can you shape your veterinary technician career or that of the vet techs in your clinic? Understanding the vet tech certifications and educational programs out there helps. For example, many certified veterinary technicians study the following to expand their education:

Veterinary Technician Specialist

Becoming a licensed veterinary technician specialist is a common option for those hoping to progress their career within the field while gaining experience. Licensed Veterinary Technician Specialists are certified to complete more advanced tasks like:

• Critical care
• Emergency care
• Animal dentistry
• Anesthesiology
• Surgery

Still, every VTS specialty comes with its own requirements. You may need to pursue experience in a related vet tech program, such as case logs, case reports, proven skills, or even additional exams. 

Fear Free Certified Professional Vet Tech

What does the Fear Free Certified Professional program teach veterinarians, vet techs, and other veterinarian professionals? A vital skill–how to eliminate fear and anxiety in the animals they care for. Completing this certification helps licensed veterinary technicians maintain their skills and expand their career opportunities.

Also, besides the benefit to the pets your practice is treating, offering this vet tech program to registered veterinary technicians is a great way to improve the service quality you provide. That way, every pet receives excellent care. 

Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner

The CVPP is one of the more challenging courses, but it is open to any licensed veterinary technician looking to expand their education and career with more credentials. What does completion of this certification and all the required credentials promise veterinary technology professionals? For one, it brings the skills needed to enhance pet pain management.

This focus allows better health outcomes and comfort for the animals themselves. Required credentials may include five years of working in a clinic plus two years of experience in a clinical role that involves managing pet pain.

The Benefits Vet Tech Certification Programs

Additional credentialing benefits anyone working in veterinary technology. Whether you’re a certified veterinary technician or a vet practice owner eyeing Continuing Education courses, the following advantages make gaining new vet tech skills a win:

• Increased job opportunities: Credentialing opens up new vet tech jobs and potentially higher-paying opportunities.
• Enhanced health knowledge: Continuing Education courses, clinical hours, and other certification requirements teach veterinary technicians valuable information for enhanced health care. The pets in the clinic may have better health outcomes as the veterinary technology team handles all scenarios adeptly.
• Heightened recognition and respect: A veterinary technician with higher credentials can earn more respect and recognition within the veterinary technology community, ensuring more opportunities down the line.

How To Prepare for the Veterinary Technician National Exam and Additional Testing

We’ve covered the advanced credentialing options for registered veterinary technician teams. However, there’s more to know about how to get vet tech certification. One major thing after getting your degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school is passing the VTNE to get your vet tech license and certification.

Here are some preparation tips for the veterinary technician exam:

• Prepare far in advance. For all vet tech certifications, allow ample study time.
• Review the sample questions. Look at the American Association of Veterinary State Boards’ material.
• Pay attention to the details. Common abbreviations, references, content domains, and task lists are important.
• Take your time. The exam is challenging but worth it.

Beyond graduating from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school and passing the VTNE, some veterinary technician students may need to sit for state-specific exams to get full licensure in veterinary technology. Certain employers may also require a full bachelor’s degree from an AVMA-accredited school (not just a two-year degree).

Integrating Training Programs Into Your Veterinary Practice

Investing in education goes a long way for veterinary technology staff. Accredited education programs empower your veterinary technology team with the skills and knowledge to handle emergency situations, surgical exams, stressed animals in pain, and much more. 

Won’t a veterinary technician with higher credentials better support your veterinarians to provide superior medical care and client satisfaction? If you are not already encouraging your certified vet techs to take Continuing Education courses, certification programs, or other career advancement steps, it is a great time to start.

Long-Term Career Advancements Through Certification Training for Veterinarians

Attending an AVMA-accredited school does not need to be the only formal education in a certified vet tech’s career. Continuing Education courses and certification programs accelerate career development, even placing veterinary technology professionals into specialized roles or management positions.

If you’re a veterinary technician looking to move up in the ranks, certification programs are invaluable. If you own a clinic that struggles with employee turnover, investing in the education of your veterinary technician team offers long-term value.

Weave’s Veterinary Clinic Management Skills Also Support Your Career Growth

The right certification offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth wherever you are in your veterinary journey. If you’re looking to elevate your career in veterinary medicine, consider pursuing certification programs. Any savvy veterinary clinic owner will want to encourage their team to do the same.

Weave designs communication solutions to support your veterinary clinic’s success. Whether you’re just getting into things, boosting vet tech certifications, or running a clinic, these veterinary clinic management products boost patient satisfaction and the team’s efficiency. Get a demo today to see how our software could streamline everything, from automating appointment scheduling to empowering pet owners to communicate with their vets through easy text messages.