How To Become a Veterinary Technician in Alabama

A career as a veterinary technician can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time. Like any other career, veterinary technicians must undergo a great deal of training to perform their jobs at a very high level.

While there are a few distinctions between becoming a veterinary technician in Alabama compared to other states, the underlying, most crucial step remains the same - to enroll in a top-quality veterinary technician program and graduate successfully.

The following sections contain everything you need to know to do this smoothly and straightforwardly. We also include other key information such as potential salary, job outlook, certification, and licensing requirements for veterinary technicians in Alabama, among others.

Steps To Become a Veterinary Technician in Alabama

Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or GED

The first step to becoming a veterinary technician in Alabama is to earn a high school diploma or GED. While the credential itself is important, its use is usually to secure admission into an accredited veterinary technician training program.

Most of these programs insist on candidates having either of these credentials because it shows a strong foundation in key areas that will prove invaluable once postsecondary training begins.

Step 2: Enroll in an Accredited Program

There are several accredited training programs in Alabama for veterinary technicians. Usually, students should seek admission only into programs accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the American Veterinary Medical Association’s primary accreditation body for veterinary technician programs.

Those who receive education from a non-CVTEA accredited program may apply to the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (ASBVME) to have their education recognized.

Step 3: Complete an Externship and Work Experience Requirement

On-the-job training is crucial for veterinary technicians. For one, it provides the hands-on experience they need to finally put everything they have learned in classrooms to actual use.

Additionally, it is often a requirement for certification and licensing. For this reason, most aspiring vet techs enroll for externships after training.

To make this process easier, some schools already have partnerships with clinics and institutions where such hands-on experience can be acquired.

Step 4: Pass the VTNE

States have different certification and licensing requirements, but passing the VTNE is a common step for all vet techs.

The VTNE (short for the Veterinary Technician National Examination) is available for all new vet tech graduates three times a year. While passing the VTNE is enough in most states to start practicing, there are a few extra steps to get to this point in Alabama.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• How to become a vet assistant in Alabama.

Alabama State Licensure and Certification Requirements

The Alabama Veterinary Practice Act mandates licensure for all practicing vet techs. Employers who hire non-licensed technicians would be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

To get licensed, vet techs in Alabama must have a high school diploma, graduate from an accredited program, pass the VTNE with a score of at least 70%, and apply for licensure with the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Examiners.

Candidates must submit two photos and documentation of citizenship and pay a $100 fee.

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Alabama

Explore nearby states for education:

• Veterinary technician schools in Mississippi

Alabama Veterinary Technician Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 1,060 veterinary technicians in Alabama, earning an annual average salary of $30,980. This figure is slightly lower than the national average of $37,860.

The Bureau also projects that the demand for veterinary technicians nationwide is set to increase by a 16% margin between 2019 and 2029. This will see an addition of about 18,300 new jobs in the field.