How To Become a Veterinary Technician in New York

A veterinary technician is always in contact with animals. But they don’t do so simply out of the urge to form a bond. They do so in institutions and establishments where animals are taken care of.

Anyone looking to become a veterinary technician in New York must first acquire the appropriate training which would allow them to carry out the tasks and duties of a veterinary technician at a high level.

From there, they’d need to fulfill a handful of other state-specific requirements. If you are about to embark on this journey, the sections below should provide you with everything you need to know on the topic.

Becoming a Veterinary Technician in New York

Compared to other healthcare professions, veterinary technicians have a relatively straightforward path to start practicing and making a living off their work. Below are the typical steps to becoming a veterinary technician in New York.

Graduating from an Accredited Program

While some states don’t require veterinary technicians to be professionally credentialed before they can practice, New York is not one of them. To become a veterinary technician in New York, you must enroll and graduate from an accredited program.

To enroll, a GED or high school diploma is often necessary. To graduate, you must complete all coursework that sometimes incorporates hands-on training to acquire real-world experience.

Most programs take two years to complete, and students get to graduate with an associate of applied science (AAS) or associate of science (AS) degree.

Programs must be accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) to be valid.

The Veterinary Technician National Examination

Anyone looking to become a veterinary technician in the country must pass the VTNE examination. By passing this examination, obtaining a license from the state of New York is possible.

The VTNE is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and is available three times a year, during a one-month window each time. It comprises around 170 multiple-choice questions that take 3 hours to complete.

Registering for the VTNE six months before graduation is possible, provided you’re enrolled in an approved veterinary technician program.

Veterinary Technician State Requirements and Certifications

Once a candidate passes the Veterinary Technician National Examination, they may proceed to begin the steps toward getting licensed by the state. The state of New York stipulates the following requirements for those applying for licensure.

General Requirements

New York sets two general requirements for veterinary technicians in the state. First, they must “be of good character,” and the second must meet the education and examination requirements highlighted below.

Once these conditions are met, candidates must submit their application and other important forms. There is a license fee of $177. New York makes provision for candidates to pass the VTNE. They may practice for a year under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. The fee is $50.

Education & Examination Requirements

The education requirements set by the state of New York for licensing veterinary technicians include completing a secondary school program and a CVTE-accredited college program.

Passing the VTNE is the major examination requirement, but of course, as mentioned above, there is a special limited permit for those who still need to fulfill this requirement.

Vet Tech Schools & Programs In New York

LaGuardia Community College

LaGuardia Community College offers a solid vet tech program that can be completed in 24 months. The CVTEA accredits the program and includes three externships for hands-on training and real-world experience.

Genesee Community College

Genesee Community College offers an associate of applied sciences degree for students looking to become licensed veterinary technicians in New York. It takes 24 months to complete and includes key courses such as veterinary radiology, parasitology, dentistry, veterinary nutrition, animal anatomy, and physiology.

Long Island University

Those who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree instead of an associate degree may find the veterinary tech program at Long Island University interesting. With 500 hours of hands-on clinical training and 120 credits, the program imbues students with virtually everything they’d need to succeed in the field.

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include Suffolk County Community College, Alfred State College of Technology, Delhi State University of New York, Medaille College, Mercy College, Ulster County Community College, Canton State University of New York, and Westchester Community College.

Veterinary Technician Salary in New York

Veterinary Technicians in New York earn an average annual salary of around $45,560, about $7,000 higher than the national average. The bottom ten percent of earners take home around $30,440, while those in the top ten percent earn as high as $59,340 annually.