How does a vet assistant with 5 years experience become certified?

Answer 1

If the goal is certification as a veterinary assistant, you can choose to attempt certification through attending veterinary assisting courses through colleges, high school programs and veterinary medical or technical associations. Certification as a veterinary assistant is not recognized legally and certifications are only as valuable as an employer believes them to be. It is important, therefore, to select a reputable group or school to seek certification through so that veterinary employers recognize some value in the education and certification. Certification through colleges that also offer veterinary technician degree programs or through veterinary medical or veterinary technician association programs are more likely to be viewed as beneficial by employers because the level of education is expected to be of higher quality.

If the goal is to become credentialed as a veterinary technician, in the majority of states you must have completed an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited veterinary technology program, passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam and have applied and met your state's other requirements for credentialing. There are less than 4 states which offer alternate routes to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician and those typically require that you have a degree in a related field such as animal science.

For details on becoming a certified veterinary assistant, contact your state veterinary medical or veterinary technician association or the National Assoc. of Veterinary Technicians in America. For details on becoming a credentialed veterinary technician, contact your state veterinary technician association or look up the credentialing agency and rules for veterinary technicians in your state using the tool on the American Association of Veterinary State Boards website.