How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Nebraska

In Nebraska, veterinary technicians must be comprehensively trained before starting their careers. The scope of their training may be more extensive than many think, with most training programs teaching topics such as veterinary mathematics, veterinary economics, and animal psychology to complement the conventional anatomy, physiology, nursing, and parasitology classes.

The comprehensive guide below details everything an interested individual must know to start a successful veterinary technician career in Nebraska. We have also dedicated a section outlining some of the most prominent alternatives for those seeking the best training programs.

Steps to Become a Veterinary Technician in Nebraska

The following are the major requirements that all veterinary technicians must meet to start their careers in Nebraska.

Obtaining a High School Diploma or Earning a GED

Before receiving accredited training, candidates interested in becoming veterinary technicians in Nebraska must meet the requirements that training institutions set for admission. Currently, most programs ask that applicants be high school graduates with a diploma or a GED equivalent in place.

Graduating from an Accredited Program

It is important for anyone looking to become a veterinary technician in Nebraska to graduate from a training program to learn what they will need to do their jobs the right way. However, it is even more important to graduate from an accredited program to enjoy more career opportunities and be in the best place to receive certification and professional credentials.

Currently, the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) — a part of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — is responsible for accrediting vet tech programs in Nebraska.

Passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination

Another important requirement in the journey to become a veterinary technician in Nebraska is to pass a national examination known as the Veterinary Technician National Exam.

This is another reason why candidates are expected to attend only accredited programs, as such programs do a great job of preparing candidates for this exam.

Vet tech programs are compelled by law always to reveal their historical pass rate at the VTNE so prospective applicants can know what to expect.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• Learn to become a veterinary assistant in Nebraska

Licensure and Certification Requirements

In Nebraska, anyone looking to become a veterinary technician must apply for licensure from the Nebraska Division of Public Health. Thankfully, candidates who have fulfilled the abovementioned requirements can apply successfully and start their careers as quickly as possible.

Further down the line, vet techs in the state may want to join professional organizations to enjoy career opportunities. For this, they may consider the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) as the national option and the Nebraska Veterinary Technician Association (NVTA) as the state option.

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in Nebraska

Aspiring veterinary technicians in Nebraska may consider the options below for top-class training.

Online Options

Candidates looking for online accredited options may consider the programs available at Purdue University, Penn Foster Institute, Ashworth College, and Colby Community College, among others.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary Technician Schools in Kansas

Salary & Career Outlook

As an upcoming veterinary technician in Nebraska, the annual average salary to look forward to is around $38,553. This figure is relevant for the average earners in the state.

Factors such as experience and location can move the final amount one way or another. Those on the less favorable end of such factors will most likely fall among the lowest-paid in the state, with an annual average salary of $30,181.

Those who earn the most fall among the 10% at the top, taking home an annual average salary of up to $49,246.

Taking location as the predominant factor, Omaha is the highest-paying location for veterinary technicians in Nebraska, with an annual average salary of $41,046. This is followed by Bellevue and Lincoln, with annual average salaries of $38,435 and $38,335.

Also among the top five are Papillion, with an annual average salary of $36,929, and Elkhorn, with an annual average salary of $34,401.