By: All Allied Health Staff
Updated: January 27, 2026
Veterinary technicians are a crucial part of the veterinary practice. In order to help animals that are injured or sick, you’ll need a formal education and veterinary technician certification. The majority of veterinary technicians enter into the field with an associate degree, but that isn’t the only option available to you.
Key takeaways
- The majority of veterinary technician programs are associate degree programs, though some schools do offer bachelor’s degrees.
- The primary accrediting body for veterinary technician programs is the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA)’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).
- Though alternative education routes may be available, graduation from a CVTEA-accredited program can make it easier to obtain vet tech certification in your state.
What degree levels are available for vet techs?
Even though most vet tech programs come in the form of associate degrees, there are some accredited bachelor’s degrees as well. Earning a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology or medicine could help you advance in your career, and move into positions with more responsibility (and more earnings).
Quality programs are designed to prepare you for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and immediate placement in a clinic or laboratory. Additionally, accredited veterinary technician programs are required to include internship/externship opportunities in their curriculum. Be sure to look for these features when you consider program options.
Here’s a rundown on what these degree programs entail:
Associate degree
This is the most common degree path for veterinary technicians and takes less time (approximately 18 to 24 months) to complete than a bachelor’s degree. This is a big plus if you want to get the ball rolling on your new career as quickly as possible. Typically, these degrees are offered through community colleges and technical schools. Most programs award an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Bachelor’s degree
There are fewer bachelor’s degrees available for veterinary technicians, but the degree level is made all the more valuable because of that. Holding a bachelor’s degrees might make you eligible for higher earning opportunities, but the downside is it takes longer to achieve (approximately four years) and costs more, delaying the start of your career.
Do vet techs need a degree?
In most cases, yes. Vet tech education is crucial for gaining the veterinary knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to assist veterinarians and care for animals. But that’s not the only reason why.
Vet techs must be certified in almost all states. Certification requirements vary by state, but most require graduating from an accredited veterinary technician program to qualify. If you did not graduate from an accredited program, you may still qualify for certification if your state’s certification board deems the program acceptable according to their academic standards.
Vet tech program curriculum
Vet tech programs are designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to be a veterinary technician, from emergency procedures to understanding animal behavior. If you choose to specialize in a specific area of vet tech studies, your courses might look slightly different than other programs. General courses you can expect to take in a vet technician program include, but are not limited to:
Vet tech programs also include skills training and clinical practice, particularly as you advance in your degree.
Internships and externships
Hands-on experience working with real animals is crucial part of a veterinary technician’s education. In order to qualify for accreditation, schools are required to include a period of hands-on clinical experience for all students that totals at least 240 hours of instruction. This period is typically called an internship, externship, preceptorship or practicum.
The importance of vet tech school accreditation
One of the most important factors when you are choosing a veterinary technician school is the program’s accreditation. Accreditation means that a school, university or program has been reviewed and approved by a third-party accrediting organization, stating that the veterinary technician school meets or exceeds the organization’s standards.
The accrediting body for vet techs
The most influential accrediting organization in the veterinary field is the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA). The AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is responsible for the review process that sets the standards vet tech schools must meet before earning accreditation. The AVMA publishes a list of accredited veterinary technician schools that have passed their review process. As of January 2026, there are 217 CVTEA-accredited vet tech programs in the country, 28 of which offer bachelor’s degrees.
Attending an accredited veterinary technician school has multiple advantages: