How To Become a Veterinary Technician in Hawaii

Veterinary technicians enjoy diverse career opportunities, from general practice to specialized fields such as anesthesia, exotic animal care, and emergency medicine. Whether they choose to specialize or not, all vet techs must obtain a strong base education from an accredited program.

Thankfully, there is plenty of impressive schools in Hawaii for aspiring veterinary technicians. Below we look at some of the most prominent of these schools and provide a breakdown of additional steps involved in becoming a veterinary technician in Hawaii.

Steps To Become a Veterinary Technician in Hawaii

Interested individuals must obtain certification from the state board to become a veterinary technician in Hawaii. Before they get to that point, however, they must have satisfied the following requirements:

• Have a High School Diploma or GED Equivalent - a high school diploma is needed to gain admission into a training program and get certified. A GED is also admissible as an alternative.
• Graduate from an Accredited Program - Accreditation of veterinary technology program is usually carried out by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Most training programs offer a two-year associate of applied science degree.
• Obtain Real-World Experience - Real-world experience is important for vet techs before securing employment. Through internship programs, they consolidate their classroom training with real-world duties.

They also get to experience for the first time how it feels to work as part of a vet team with other professionals.

• Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination - Aspiring veterinary technicians who graduate from an accredited program are only halfway to practicing professionally. One of the last few hurdles to cross is the veterinary technician national examination, taken by all graduates of accredited vet tech programs nationwide.

Related: If you have a passion for veterinary medicine and are thinking about pursuing a career in Hawaii, becoming a veterinary assistant could be a great option to explore. You can find valuable insights into pursuing a rewarding career in animal care in this beautiful state.

Hawaii Licensure and Certification Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

To become a registered veterinary technician in Hawaii, you must have completed an accredited training program and passed the veterinary technician national examination. You must also register with the state.

It used to be that candidates must have a base level of experience before they could apply, but nowadays, no such requirement exists anymore.

Hawaii also allows the transfer of licenses from other states under certain conditions.

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Hawaii

Aspiring vet techs in Hawcan choose between on-campus, online, and hybrid programs. On-campus programs offer a feeling of familiarity, while online programs are known for their flexibility and convenience.

Those seeking both may choose the hybrid options. Below are some of the most noteworthy options in these categories.

1. Windward Community College

The associate of science degree program in veterinary technology at Windward Community College is the only CVTEA-accredited program in the state. Students can also enroll in a three-year part-time hybrid format with more flexibility and the two-year full-time option.

Both programs include 73 credits covering around 200 skill sets specified by the AVMA. The full-time on-campus program combines classroom sessions with hands-on laboratory courses every Monday through Friday.

Students who wish to study while they work may enroll in the hybrid program.

2. Purdue University

Purdue University is one of a handful of CVTEA-accredited vet tech programs that can be completed online. This provides a veritable alternative for students in Hawaii who wish to consider a different option to the one above.

Graduates of the vet tech program at Purdue graduate with an associate of applied science degree after taking 35 classes. These classes provide hands-on instruction in animal nursing, management, microbiology, animal agriculture, etc.

The program may take up to 5 years to complete.

3. Penn Foster College

Another popular online program for students in Hawaii looking for an accredited vet tech program, Penn Foster College, teaches the fundamentals of veterinary technology, focusing on key topics such as clinical pathology, medical mathematics, veterinary nursing, office management skills, radiography, and pharmacy procedures.

The program is known for its comprehensive coursework and a high first-time pass rate among graduates who sat for the veterinary technician national examination.

Related: If you’re worried about the financial aspect of your education, don’t let it hold you back. Discover various scholarship opportunities that can help alleviate the financial burden. Pursuing a career as a Veterinary Technician in Hawaii is within your reach with these valuable scholarships.

Veterinary Technician Salary and Job Outlook in Hawaii

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 210 veterinary technicians in Hawaii, and they all earn an annual average salary of $38,580. This figure is only slightly lower than the national average of $37,860.

Those in the top ten percent of earners in the state earn an annual average salary of $51,610, while those in the bottom ten percent earn $27,240 on average yearly.

The BLS also projects that the demand for veterinary technicians nationwide is set to increase by a 16% margin in the next ten years.