Veterinary Technician

A licensed veterinary technician (LVT) can assist the veterinarian in almost all aspects of animal care in every veterinary occupational field, from companion animal medicine to agricultural production industries to public health work to zoo animal management to biomedical research.

In each of these fields, typical veterinary technician activities can include initial assessment of the animal, acquiring samples for testing in the laboratory, sterilizing surgical instruments, preparing the animal for anesthesia, assisting in anesthetic procedures and monitoring, animal restraint, husbandry and treatment of animals, participation in imaging studies such as radiology or ultrasound, data entry into practice management/medical records software and record-keeping as required by regulatory agencies and client education.

Degree Plan

• Veterinary Technician, AAS

The demand for qualified veterinary technicians in Texas is high. Every existing program in Texas has a high rate of employment after graduation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently projects that this field will grow 52% by 2020. Salaries range from $25,000 to $45,000 a year in Texas. The 2010 median pay for a veterinarian technician in Texas was $29,710 per year or $14.28 per hour. Salaries will vary depending upon your credentials, the particular job, and geographic location

A veterinary technician is committed to the concept of lifelong learning. To maintain licensure, 10 hours of Texas VMA-approved continuing education is required annually.

Knowledge and Skills

In order to be a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Texas, a student must graduate from an accredited Veterinary Technician Program and successfully complete two exams:

Once the VTNE is mastered, the candidate takes the LVTE jurisprudence exam administered by the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

After becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician by passing the VTNE and LVTE, certificates may be earned in a variety of specialty areas such as ultrasound or behavioral counseling. In addition, a four-year degree may be pursued to become a Veterinary Technologist.

3-Year Veterinary Technician Examination Pass Rates

Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) Pass Rates: July 1, 2020 –  June 30, 2023

The three-year pass percentage on VTNE is calculated as follows: X/Y*100.

The welfare of animals used by TJC in the veterinary technology program is of paramount importance. Any concerns regarding potential deficiencies in animal care and treatment by the public, students or college personnel should be reported to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). This committee is responsible for reviewing and investigating concerns involving animal welfare. 

Click here to report an animal use concern

For IACUC to properly investigate concerns, please provide specific information on each deficiency reported. Once received, concerns will be forwarded to the IACUC chair whose responsibility will be to form a subcommittee to review the complaint. If a deficiency is deemed to exist, the subcommittee will perform a full investigation resulting in a corrective action.  Upon completion, a summary documenting the concern, review/investigation, and corrective action will be written and submitted to IACUC.

If you have any questions or concern regarding the use of animals in this program please feel free to contact our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee via vettech@tjc.edu.

Dr. Cliff Boucher 
TJC North 
75 Miranda Lambert Way, Ste. 16 
Lindale, TX 75771