The guide below outlines all the major requirements that candidates need to know to start a successful veterinary technician career in Iowa. We begin by exploring some of the educational requirements, including the necessary prerequisites for securing admission into a training program and the licensure and certification requirements needed to secure employment.
Individuals interested in discovering the state’s top destinations for accredited training will also find a list of notable alternatives below. To conclude the guide, we outline the annual average salary that veterinary technicians in Iowa can look forward to, depending on factors such as location and experience.
How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Iowa
The following steps are needed to launch a successful veterinary technician career in Iowa.
Step 1: Having a High School Diploma or Earning a GED
As a basic prerequisite to securing admission into a training program and becoming certified as a veterinary technician in the state, candidates in Iowa are advised to have a high school diploma. Those who don’t have one may utilize a GED equivalent in its place.
Step 2: Finishing an Accredited Program
Finishing an accredited program is mandatory for anyone wanting to become a certified veterinary technician in Iowa. Not only is this needed to qualify for the national examination, but it is also a requirement within the state.
Of course, it is also during their time in training that a candidate will learn about key topics in the field that will help them develop the skills needed for the jobs. These topics include small-animal veterinary medicine, large-animal veterinary medicine, pharmacology, and parasitology.
Candidates may expect to complete their training in 2 years, but some programs can last as long as 4 years.
Step 3: Passing the VTNE
The national examination referenced above for veterinary technicians in Iowa is the VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) administers the exam.
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Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Iowa
The entries below are considered to be among the top veterinary technician training programs in Iowa.
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA Online + Campus
Kirkwood Community College is one of the accredited destinations in Iowa that offers veterinary technician training. The associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology program available here is offered through the Department of Agricultural Sciences and contains 83 credits of instructions that can be completed in 2 years.
Tuition
$5,700 - $7,604Contact
(319) 398-7600
admissions@kirkwood.edu
Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines, IA Online + Campus
Des Moines Area Community College has an accredited vet tech program. The school had an 86% first-time pass rate in the VTNE between 2018 and 2021.
Tuition
$5,340 - $10,680Contact
(515) 965-7337
Admissions@dmacc.edu
Other Options
Other accredited veterinary technician programs in Iowa can be found at the Iowa Lakes Community College, Iowa Western Community College, Muscatine Community College, and Northeast Iowa Community College,
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Licensure and Certification Requirements
The steps below are the requirements the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine (IBVM) sets for anyone who would like to become a certified veterinary technician. However, it is important to note that candidates do not necessarily need to be certified through the board to work professionally in the state.
This process is regarded as the norm, not because it is the law, but because it is a very effective way for candidates to enjoy several professional opportunities and set themselves apart to appeal to employers across the area.
Along with completing the steps mentioned above, those who want to be certified by the board must also complete the Iowa Veterinary Technician Exam. Once certified, they must maintain their credentials by completing 30 hours of continuing education credit every 3 years.
Salary & Career Outlook
Fresh veterinary technicians in Iowa earn an annual average salary of $32,572 – if they find themselves among the mid-point of vet techs by salary. Those among the top earners take home an annual average salary of $42,705, while those who earn the least take home an annual average salary of $24,843.
Sorting by experience alone, vet techs with less than a year on the job take home an annual average salary of $30,443, while those with more than 10 years’ worth of experience make an annual average salary of $40,586.
Sorting by location alone, Ames is the city with the highest pay for veterinary technicians in the state, with an average annual salary of $47,180. It is followed by Bettendorf with an annual average salary of $35,889; West Des Moines with an annual average salary of $32,534; Grimes with an annual average salary of $33,256, and Ankeny with an annual average salary of $33,035.
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