How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Kentucky

Along with treating pets and providing much-needed care, veterinary technicians in Kentucky also play an educator role, teaching pet owners essential techniques to take care of their pets and develop stronger bonds with them.

To start their careers, veterinary technicians in the state must receive a rigorous form of education. They also have to fulfill a handful of requirements designed to ensure a high standard of training and proficiency.

Below, we look at all of these requirements, ensuring that aspiring veterinary technicians in Kentucky who consume this resource have every crucial piece of information they need to start their career straightforwardly.

Steps to Become a Veterinary Technician in Kentucky

Below are the critical steps involved in becoming a veterinary technician in Kentucky.

Complete Veterinary Technician Education

It would be impossible for an aspiring veterinary technician in Kentucky to carry out their duties without knowing what they are or how to go about them in the first place. Usually, the best way to acquire veterinary technician education in Kentucky is to apply for a training program.

While there are several training programs for veterinary technicians in the state, a crucial thing to consider when choosing from the field is to always go with a program that the American Veterinary Medical Association accredits.

Importance of Accreditation

Enrolling in an accredited program is essential because these programs operate at a high educational standard and provide a straightforward path to getting certified by the state board. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) is the committee responsible for accrediting veterinary technology programs in Kentucky.

Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination

The Veterinary Technician National Examination is a standardized exam designed to test a candidate’s skills in various areas of veterinary technology. Candidates must pass this exam to qualify for state certification.

Obtain State Certification

Lastly, after completing the above steps, the next important step in becoming a veterinary technician in Kentucky is to apply for certification from the state board. More on this below.

Consider exploring careers with similar paths:

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Kentucky

State Licensure & Certification Requirements

The state board responsible for veterinary technician registration in Kentucky is the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners. The board requires proof of graduation from an accredited program and a copy of VTNE results before candidates can be registered.

Applicants must also send a notarized letter from a supervising veterinarian and a $25 application fee.

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Kentucky

Three training programs in Kentucky boast accreditation from the AVMA - CVTEA. These include Morehead State University, Murray State University, and Owensboro Community and Technical College.

Morehead State University

Morehead State University is one of the premier destinations to receive top-class veterinary technician training in Kentucky. The school boasts a veterinary technology program offering an associate of applied science degree for those who want to study for 2 years. Students willing to commit to even more time in training may choose the bachelor’s degree option that can be completed in four years.

Before securing admission into the program, candidates must have worked with a veterinarian to acquire 120 hours of supervised experience.

The associate of applied science degree program consists of 86 credits and includes topics in clinical anatomy, small animal medicine, animal pathology, laboratory procedures, and surgical nursing, among others.

The bachelor of science degree contains 120 credits.

Owensboro Community and Technical College

Another excellent destination for receiving high-quality veterinary technician training in Kentucky, Owensboro Community and Technical College, is accredited by the AVMA-CVTEA. The school boasts a beautiful 350-acre agricultural complex where students acquire real-world experience by working with various animals, including cows, sheep, horses, and more.

The school offers an associate of applied science degree program that consists of 86 credits and can be completed in 36 months. The other alternative is a bachelor of science program containing 120 credits with an estimated completion time of 48 months.

Topics include veterinary dentistry, diagnostic imaging, laboratory procedures, and small and large animal clinics.

Murray State University

At Murray State University, students get to train for 4 years to earn a bachelor of science degree in veterinary technology. Courses include veterinary microbiology, animal science, veterinary pathology, parasitology, animal nutrition, and anesthesiology.

As expected, students will also get the chance to earn real-world experience through internships and laboratory sessions. The school has had a 61.3% first-time pass rate in the veterinary technician national examination.

Consider exploring veterinary technician schools in neighboring states:

Veterinary Technician Schools in Indiana

Salary and Career Outlook

The annual average salary for veterinary technicians in Kentucky is $29,926. This figure can get as high as $40,362 or as low as $22,189, depending on where technicians fall regarding factors such as experience and location.

The highest-paying cities for veterinary technicians in Kentucky include Hebron ($37,216), Florence ($35,989), and Owensboro ($32,696).