Veterinary Technician Schools in Louisiana

To start a career as a veterinary technician in Louisiana is to become a part of a profession that contributes significantly to saving the lives of pets and animals while bringing joy to several pet owners across the state. Thankfully, candidates in the state interested in pursuing this path would be glad to know that their journey can be quite straightforward if they know what to expect from the start.

The following sections highlight the steps involved in starting a career as a veterinary technician in Louisiana. It also includes other important considerations that will help professionals enjoy several professional opportunities along the way.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Louisiana

Prospective veterinary technicians in Louisiana must follow the steps below to start their careers correctly.

Graduating from High School or Earning a GED

Graduating high school with a diploma is important for becoming a veterinary technician in Louisiana. Those who do not have a diploma may utilize a GED equivalent in its place.

Typically, any of these will be needed to secure admission into a training program.

Completing an Accredited Program

While there are several training programs for veterinary technicians in Louisiana, candidates must always ensure they choose only options accredited by the relevant authorities. Currently, that is the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA - CVTEA).

During their training, prospective veterinary technicians are to learn important topics such as medical terminology, surgical assisting, and emergency care. They will likely spend two years in training and graduate with an associate degree.

Passing the VTNE

The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is mandatory for practically all aspiring veterinary technicians in the country, and those who wish to practice in Louisiana are no different.

To qualify, they must have graduated from an accredited program. They must pay an application fee of $330 to qualify for the examination officially.

Applying for State Credentials

After completing the above steps, Louisiana vet tech candidates must seek approval from the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine. The section below highlights how candidates can go about achieving this.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• How to become a veterinarian in Louisiana

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Louisiana

The following are some prominent veterinary technician schools in Louisiana.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary Technician Schools in Texas

Licensure and Certification Requirements

As mentioned above, the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine is responsible for licensing veterinary technicians in the state. To qualify for this license, candidates must graduate from an accredited program and pass the VTNE.

Then, they must send an official application to the board along with their school transcripts and exam scores. Those already licensed in another state will not need to provide proof but will have to submit two reference letters for character and professional attestation.

To maintain their licenses, veterinary technicians in Louisiana must also go through continuing education by participating in specific courses or attending workshops, seminars, and other professional events created for this purpose.

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of a veterinary technician in Louisiana was estimated based on a survey to be around $32,622 for those who fall among the mid-point earners; $40,530 for those who fall among the highest-paid; and $26,257 for those who fall among the bottom earners.

As one would expect, location is one of the most important factors influencing how much a veterinary technician here can look forward to at the end of every year. Harvey is the city with the highest pay for veterinary technicians in Louisiana, with an average annual salary of $36,791.

This is followed by New Orleans, with an annual average salary of $34,881; Slidell, with an annual average salary of $33,989; Metairie, with an annual average salary of $33,916; and Baton Rouge, with an annual average salary of $33,695.