How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New Mexico

Notable organizations such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics project increased demand for veterinary technicians in New Mexico and nationwide. This steady rise in demand is projected to sustain for the upcoming decades and beyond.

If you want to become a veterinary technician in New Mexico but need to learn how to start the process, you have come to the right page.

In the upcoming sections, you will discover, among other things, the basic prerequisites, educational requirements, and top training destinations to learn the duties of a veterinary technician in New Mexico. You will also determine the salary range to expect based on a few factors.

Steps to Become a Veterinary Technician in New Mexico

Aspiring veterinary technicians in New Mexico may start their careers following the steps below.

Step 1: Preparation

Ultimately, veterinary technicians in New Mexico want to be certified by the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine. In preparation, they must have a high school diploma or GED and be well-positioned to secure admission into an accredited training program.

Step 2: Accredited Training

During their time in a training program, individuals looking to become veterinary technicians in New Mexico will learn all the key topics in the field. However, they cannot attend just any program at any institution — they must attend training programs accredited by the relevant body.

Currently, the “relevant body” in charge of accredited veterinary technician programs across the country is the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), which belongs to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

In an upcoming section, we explore some of the most prominent on-campus and online accredited options to consider.

Step 3: Veterinary Technician National Examination

Another condition that candidates must fulfill before being certified as veterinary technicians in New Mexico is passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam. This 200-question exam tests a candidate’s knowledge in topics dealing with both general and clinical sciences.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a veterinarian in New Mexico

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Having passed the steps above — including completing an accredited program and passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination — candidates can then receive state certification.

The New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine (NMBVM) certifies veterinary technicians. Along with meeting the above requirements, candidates are also expected to send in an official application and pass the state licensing exam to become officially certified.

Another way vet techs in New Mexico can improve their career opportunities is to join professional organizations. Those interested in this path may consider the New Mexico Registered Veterinary Technician Association (NM-RVTA) and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).

Top Veterinary Technician Schools in New Mexico

Below are some of the most prominent veterinary technician training programs in New Mexico.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary Technician Schools in Colorado

Salary & Career Outlook

Veterinary technicians in New Mexico who are new to the job may take home an annual average salary of $35,119 — if they somehow make it to be among the mid-point of vet techs in the state by salary. If they find themselves among the bottom 10% of earners, they will take home an annual average salary of $26,358, while those who find themselves among the top 10% take home an annual average salary of $46,793.

Experience is one of the factors that can move a vet tech in the state from the lower end of the salary range to the upper end. For instance, those with less than a year on the job earn an annual average salary of $32,825, while those with more than 10 years’ worth of experience make an annual average salary of $43,760.

Location is another important factor, with Algodones being the highest-paying city in the state for veterinary technicians, with an annual average salary of $43,770. This is followed by Santa Fe with an annual average salary of $38,322; Taos with an annual average salary of $36,755; Bernalillo with an annual average salary of $36,205; and Albuquerque with an annual average salary of $34,353.