How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania

Accredited Pennsylvania Veterinary Technology Programs

We are sure that you already know that there are a number of quality vet tech schools in Pennsylvania.

However, we think that selecting the one for your future education can be a daunting task, So, we decided to offer you a short description of each program available and enable you to make a decision easier.

In order to become eligible for practice, you must graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Now, the question you might be asking yourself is: “Why is accreditation so significant?”

Actually, it ensures that schools are meeting standards of quality, including instruction, curriculum, clinical opportunities, and student outcomes, and only those who graduate from an accredited program are allowed to take a certification examination.

Prior to enrolling in a program, all prospective veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania are advised to check the AVMA status of the selected programs, as well as enrollment prerequisites.

Harcum College, located in Bryn Mawr, offers students an associate of science (AS) degree program in veterinary technology.

During this program, students have the opportunity to gain clinical experience at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine besides having regular classes.

This program will last six semesters which is the time required to complete both the didactic and clinical practicum requirements.

The Institute of Medical and Business Careers in Erie offers a veterinary technician associate in specialized technology (AST) program.

Students enrolled in the program can expect to receive hands-on experience with animals at partnered clinical sites such as the ANNA West shelter.

In addition to veterinary-related coursework students enrolled in the program are expected to complete general education requirements such as English, math, and biology.

The program takes 1.5 years  and it is offered in a daytime or evening format.

The Vet Tech Institute is available at locations in six cities across the country.

This is a very popular veterinary technician school in Pennsylvania being that it takes only 18 months to complete the whole curriculum.

Furthermore, what makes this program so attractive is the fact that it prepares students to sit for the veterinary technician national exam (VTNE) in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Manor College is another school in Pennsylvania accredited by the AVMA since 1992.

The campus offers hands-on labs in surgery, large and small animals, radiology, and more and the clinical sections are relatively small with only six to nine students.

This guarantees adequate individual instruction.

Wilson College in Philadelphia is another one of the available vet tech schools in PA and it features a four-year bachelor’s of science (BS) degree in veterinary technology.

This program has three concentrations for students depending on their career aspirations: veterinary biology, veterinary business management, and Equi-Assist.

The vet biology concentration has courses in biology, chemistry, microbiology, and college algebra.

The veterinary business management concentration has courses in financial accounting; biology; management; entrepreneurship and small business management; marketing and others.

The Equi-Assist concentration has courses in equine management; ground training the horse; equine health management; advanced equine techniques; equine clinical and surgical practices; and more.

The YTI Career Institute in York, PA boasts a 21-month associate in specialized technology degree.

Some parts of the program are taught at Leg Up Farm and White Oak Farm.

That is an excellent opportunity for students to learn and practice their skills with large animals such as cows and horses.

Johnson College offers a 71-credit associate of science (AS) degree in veterinary technology.

It is worth mentioning that students gain hands-on knowledge and skills at the Johnson College Animal Care Center, and they are required to attend courses including clinical applications for small and large animals; animal anatomy and physiology; parasitology and immunology; animal husbandry/breeds/nutrition; surgical nursing; and more.

Lehigh Carbon Community College is another educational institution in Pennsylvania that offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

In collaboration with Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA, also offers an AAS degree in veterinary technology.

Another option is offered through Lancaster County Career and Technology Center and students must complete a 21-month, 74-credit associate degree program (AST) at the Willow Street campus.

As you can see, the opportunities are numerous and this is not the end.

There is yet another institution and that is the Pittsburgh Career Institute.

It offers an associate in specialized technology (AST) degree in veterinary technology through an 88-credit program that combines hands-on practice at their on-campus laboratory, x-ray, and surgical facilities, as well as at clinical instruction sites.

You can also enroll in a distance-based vet tech program if you cannot attend on-campus classes.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania

These are the requirements that each person has to meet so as to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Pennsylvania.

Here are the typical steps to become a veterinary technician in Pennsylvania:

You will need to pass prerequisite classes in high school during four years of education – those are algebra I/II, biology, and chemistry, while some programs also recommend classes in physics, calculus, or statistics.

The applicant must graduate from an accredited vet tech program in Pennsylvania which takes two to four years – the program has to be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) resulting in an associate of science (AS), an associate of applied science (AAS), an associate in specialized technology (AST), or a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) after completing all requirements.

He/she has to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and pass it with a score of at least 425.

To become a certified vet tech (CVT) in Pennsylvania, prospective healthcare professionals must get credentialed. The good thing is that there is no special state test or jurisprudence exam in Pennsylvania, but students must complete an application in addition to sending their VTNE exam scores.

So as to maintain certification which expires after two years, candidates must complete 16 hours of continued education.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in  Pennsylvania

Job prospects are great in Pennsylvania and future vet techs can expect to earn quite good salaries ranging between $28951 and $40880.

Regional Salary in Pennsylvania

Veterinary Technicians by State