Veterinary Technician Schools in Mississippi

To become a veterinary technician in Mississippi, interested individuals must become familiar with various process elements as quickly as possible. A robust understanding of what to expect will ensure that candidates are well-prepared to handle challenges and make optimal decisions every step of the way. As a reward, they will begin a career in a wonderful field with several opportunities for career advancements.

For this reason, we have provided a comprehensive guide below detailing the key requirements that aspiring veterinary technicians in Mississippi must know. We hope that candidates will be well-prepared to begin their journey on the right path when they’re done reading.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Mississippi

The following are the key requirements to become a Mississippi veterinary technician.

Preparatory Requirements

Interested individuals are expected to have a high school diploma or GED to prepare for their careers as veterinary technicians in Mississippi.

They must also prepare their official high school transcripts and proof of health insurance and immunization.

Educational Requirements

For several reasons, anyone seeking veterinary technician training in Mississippi can only choose programs credited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.

This will make the subsequent steps, such as passing the VTNE and getting certified by the state board, much easier.

Examination Requirements

The Veterinary Technician National Examination is the only professional examination that veterinary technicians in Mississippi are expected to participate in before starting their careers. This examination ensures a fee of $330 and tests a candidate’s proficiency in several areas of the field, such as emergency medicine and diagnostic imaging.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• Become a veterinarian in Mississippi

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Mississippi

The entries below offer top-quality, accredited veterinary technician training for interested individuals in the area.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary Technician Schools in Alabama

Licensure and Certification Requirements

The Mississippi Veterinary Medical Board is the predominant organization responsible for certifying veterinary technicians in the state. Professionals in this field must send an official application to the board to become certified and secure employment.

Along with their official application, candidates must also send in their official scores from the Veterinary Technician National Examination, a copy of their college transcripts from an accredited program, and a processing fee of $100. In addition, the board also requires three letters of recommendation and a passport-style photograph.

Those whose applications have been favorably considered can work as certified veterinary technicians in the state.

To maintain their licenses, certified vet techs in Mississippi must complete 10 hours of continuing education annually.

Salary & Career Outlook

A veterinary technician in Mississippi can earn an annual average salary of as high as $35,447 once they have made it to be among the top earners in the state. While starting, they may earn an annual average salary of around $19,244 (for the lowest earners in the state) or $26,265 (for the average earners in the state).

Some factors influencing the annual average salary of veterinary technicians in Mississippi include location, credentials, specialization, establishment of employment, and experience. Concerning experience, vet techs in the state with a year of experience earn around $24,549 per year, while the figure is closer to $32,727 for those with up to 10 years on the job.

Southhaven and Madison are the cities with the highest salaries for veterinary technicians in Mississippi, with annual average salaries of $29,772 and $29,547. They are followed by Olive Branch, Jackson, and Biloxi, with annual average salaries of $28,767, $27,912, and $26,803, respectively.