How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Tennessee

Veterinary Technician Job Description

For animal-lovers interested in getting involved in this rapidly growing career, one of the quality veterinary technician schools in Tennessee (TN) can be an excellent choice.

In Tennessee, veterinarians seek to hire the most qualified, dependable, and skilled individuals for the role, so you will need to work hard during your education to reach this goal.

Accredited Tennessee Veterinary Technology Programs

As you want to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician working in Tennessee, you have to know what an important job it is to care for and treat sick and injured animals.

That is one of the reasons why Tennessee has strict requirements for licensing as a Veterinary Technician.

By requiring the licensure so as to be allowed to work, the state ensures that the medical services the Vet Tech offers are based on education and high standards of practice.

The state of Tennessee boasts six campus-based programs accredited through the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

It is worth noting that only four of these programs have full accreditation and the other two are in the initial stages of the process.

So as to be able to enroll in any of the programs, you need to meet typical requirements and they are the following:

• sending your official high school transcripts;
• completing specific coursework – biology, chemistry, algebra, English);
• submitting test scores from the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL for non-native speakers of English only;
• passing a background check;
• showing proof of immunizations and health insurance;
• and paying an application fee.

Future vet techs can choose to enroll in Austin Peay State University (APSU) which offers a 120-credit hour CVTEA accredited bachelors of science in agriculture with a concentration in veterinary technology.

During your studies, you will meet general education requirements, as well as learn about livestock, domestic animals, farm animals, companion animals, animal nursing, animal nutrition, and more.

APSU is very well known for offering engagement in agriculture through their pre-vet club, beef cattle show team, agricultural honor societies, agricultural fraternities, and professional development organizations.

Chattanooga State Community College is another educational institution that offers a CVTEA-accredited associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

Its courses include animal nursing, clinical pathology, and general education requirements.

This is a 70-credit program and students will be able to apply what they learn in supervised internships across local veterinary clinics, hospitals, and farms.

Columbia State Community College offers its students a fully accredited, 21-month AAS program in veterinary technology.

One great advantage of classes at Columbia is that there is a maximum of 30 people.

Lincoln Memorial University of Harrogate has two CVTEA-accredited programs: a two-year associate of science (AS) and a four-year bachelor of science (BS), both in veterinary medical technology.

While the AS program is focused on diagnostic imaging, animal husbandry and nutrition, medical technology, the 66-credit BS program focuses on probability and statistics, animal behavior, equine management, advanced anesthesia, and emergency and critical care.

The University of Tennesee Martin offers a vet tech program where the veterinary health technology option is a part of the animal science concentration of a bachelor of science in agriculture.

Students will need to attend general education courses, as well as those related to exotics, and pocket pets, exotic animal management during this 120-credit hour UT Martin program.

Vol State Community College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) in veterinary technology and the reason why it is very attractive to young generations is that it prepares vet techs for careers in agricultural businesses, veterinary practices, research facilities, wildlife rehabilitation, and only 24 students are enrolled per year.

So as to be considered a potential student, you must complete 20 hours of observation before applying.

Students who cannot attend the regular classes on campus can apply for distance-based programs which consist of web-based classes and clinical work to be completed at approved facilities close to a student’s home.

There are ten approved online vet tech programs across the US that Tennessee residents may attend.

For instance, Colby Community College based in Kansas provides an online associate degree in veterinary technology or the Purdue University of Indiana which offers a CVTEA-accredited, distance-based associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Tennessee

Now, if you want to know how does a person become a veterinary technician in Tennessee, we are here to give you one possible path to joining this career:

You will need to graduate from high school, completing coursework in biology, chemistry, and algebra in addition to taking on volunteer work in animal care hospitals or centers which is always considered as an advantage.

Then, you will need to complete a two- to four-year veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

Next, you have to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and apply for licensure through the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Tennessee

It is good to mention that aspiring veterinary technicians in Tennessee should not worry about their future job, being that the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job openings will increase 19 percent nationally.

Veterinary technicians earn the average annual salary of $ 31997 which is lower than in the rest of the country, due to the fact that the cost of living is lower as well.

In fact, it is cheaper to live in TN than in many other US states.

Regional Salary in Tennessee

Veterinary Technicians by State