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Lehigh Carbon Community College

What Is a Veterinary Technician Program? 

Veterinary technicians are professionals knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, routine laboratory and clinical procedures, and veterinary medical and surgical nursing. Graduates of this program are prepared to sit for the veterinary technician national board examination. Students who pass the exam may obtain certification. 

​The Veterinary Technician Associate Degree program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA). 

Classes are held on Northampton Community College (NCC) and LCCC campuses. There is a clinical science laboratory on NCC’s campus and a veterinary teaching facility adjacent to LCCC’s campus provided exclusively for the veterinary technician students. Classes are offered during the day, and the program takes two full years to complete (fall, spring, and summer). 

Lehigh Carbon and Northampton Community Colleges’ Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) Results:

Three-year average pass rate Total July 1,2020 — June 30,2023
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE 71
Three-Year Pass Percentage on VTNE 79%

Program Director

 Lisa A. Martini-Johnson

Lisa A. Martini-Johnson

Director Veterinary Technician Program
Schnecksville, PA

Veterinary Technology Courses

LCCC provides academic and practical experience through a combination of veterinary technology and general education core courses. One-third of veterinary technology courses include laboratory experience including exposure to small, large, and exotic animal species. The culminating experience of the program is a summer externship experience during which you can practice your clinical skills at veterinary hospitals.

Coursework will provide you with a foundation in:  

  • Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
  • Large Animal Clinical Procedure 
  • Small Animal Clinical Procedure
  • Veterinary Surgical and Nursing and Anesthesia 
  • Lab Animal Science and Exotics
  • Veterinary Radiology

What Can I Do with a Veterinary Technician A.A.S.? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for veterinary technicians and technologists is expected to grow 20% in the next decade.  

Certified veterinary technicians are employed in veterinary clinics serving large, small, and exotic species. In addition, graduates are employed as veterinary assistants in pharmaceutical settings, research laboratories, animal feed companies, wildlife and zoo centers, and animal shelters.  

Four-Year Transfer Schools

Pennsylvania offers statewide program-to-program articulation. This allows students who graduate with specific associate degrees to transfer as juniors into a bachelor’s degree program in a similar field of study at a participating four-year college. Learn more about transferring to a four-year school.

Your Associate Degree in Veterinary Technician prepares you to transfer to the following four-year colleges or universities: 

 

Special Admissions Program Requirements 

Before Admission:

  • High school diploma or GED and successful completion of appropriate high school or post-secondary courses 
  • Completion of high school laboratory biology with a “B” or better, and high school algebra 1 and 2 with grades of a “C” or better; fundamentals of biology (BIO 105) is highly recommended if a college-level biology course has not been previously completed 
  • Submission of high school transcript or copy of GED and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended 
  • Acceptable scores on the LCCC assessment test (English, Math and Biology); any remediation must be completed before starting the program 
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 
  • Knowledge of field gained through experience with animals strongly recommended 
  • Selected students will participate in a personal interview with the program director; LCCC will contact you to schedule an interview 
  • At the time of the interview, you must have completed a minimum of 20 hours of observation in a veterinary facility; you will be asked to verify this using our career exploration form or virtual shadowing form  

After Admission: 

  • Medical forms: physical examination
  • Proof of current health insurance
  • Rabies pre-exposure vaccine 

Admissions Procedures

Applications for Fall 2025 admission will open on September 1, 2024.

1.Complete an online application for admission to the college.

2.Complete a Veterinary Technician Application.

3.Submit an official copy of your academic records: High School Transcripts, GED Certificates, and College Transcripts. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to LCCC by email to: registrar@mymail.lccc.edu, or to the address below:

Office of Registration/Student Records
Lehigh Carbon Community College
4525 Education Park Drive
Schnecksville, PA 18078

4.Complete Career Exploration Form or Virtual Shadowing Form  . Note: Applicant’s observation hours as required on the Career Exploration Form must have been completed within the past year. Additionally, current observation hours are only valid for this year’s application and may not be used again for future applications.

5.Schedule and complete the LCCC Skills Assessment Test (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics)and Biology Placement Test. Please email: testingcenter@lccc.edu to schedule.

6.Make an appointment to meet with an advisor to review your Skills Assessment Test results. The advisors will help you schedule any necessary developmental or prerequisite course work. Email: adviseme@lccc.edu.

7.Application Review: Your application will be reviewed and the most qualified applicants will be invited to attend an informational session and personal interview with a program representative. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed.

8.Please be sure to keep your address and phone number current with the college so that contact can be made regarding your application status. Also, be sure to check your LCCC email regularly. Students who are offered a seat in the program are required to attend a mandatory orientation session in addition to the standard LCCC new student orientation.

If you have questions, or need assistance with the application procedures, please email restrictedprograms@lccc.edu

State Licensing Requirements 

Veterinary Technician licensure is unique to each state. The below information is meant to provide a resource. This is not a definitive list of the requirements for Veterinary Technician Assistant licensure. Please refer to the appropriate State Board for full requirements for application. 

Pennsylvania (meeting requirements)

Clearances

Criminal History Records Check

Exams

Veterinary Technician National Exam

https://www.aavsb.org/VTNE/

Requirements

Completion of an accredited degree in veterinary technology

License Application

https://www.pals.pa.gov/#

Contact Information

State Board of Veterinary Medicine
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
ST-Veterinary@pa.gov
https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/VeterinaryMedicine/Pages/default.aspx

New Jersey (meets requirements)

Exams

Veterinary Technician National Exam

https://www.aavsb.org/VTNE/

Requirements

Complete a two-to-four year veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association

License Application

A state license is not required to practice as a veterinary technician in New Jersey

Certification Application

NJVTA
https://www.njvta.com/

Contact Information

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/vet

New York (meets requirements)

Requirements:
Any use of the title “Veterinary Technician” within New York State requires licensure.
To be licensed as a veterinary technician in New York State you must:

  • be of good moral character
  • meet education and examination requirements

Submit an application for licensure and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 135, Section 6711 of New York’s Education Law and Part 62 of the Commissioner’s Regulations.

You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.

Education Requirements
To meet the education requirements for licensure, you must have completed a satisfactory secondary school program and hold at least an eighteen month (two academic years) diploma or degree from a college program in veterinary technology registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) or the equivalent as determined by the New York State Education Department.

Examination Requirements:
To meet the examination requirement for licensure, you must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).  Students in the final six months of a veterinary technology program registered by the New York State Education Department or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association may be admitted to the VTNE.  All others must meet all education requirements including award of the degree before being admitted.

The deadline for submitting an application for licensure and first registration with the application fee and having your program submit education verification to the New York State Education Department is 60 days prior to the opening of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards’ (AAVSB) test window.

The New York State Education Department determines eligibility for the exam.

For information on test windows, go to AAVSB’s Web site.

Contact:
New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
PO Box 22063
Albany, NY 12201
opcorp@nysed.gov
(518) 474-3817 ext. 400

North Caroline (meets requirements)

Veterinary Technician 

Requirements
One must have graduated from an American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA) accredited program and have a passing score on the VTNE to be eligible to sit for the NC Veterinary Technician State Examination.

Visit: NCVMB.org for more information

Contact Information
North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board
1611 Jones Franklin Rd, Ste 106
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: 919-854-5601
Fax: 919-854-5606

Tod J. Schadler, DVM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
tschadler@ncvmb.org

Ohio (meets requirements)

Registered Veterinary Technician Licensing Requirements

You must meet the following requirements to receive an Ohio veterinary license. If you do not meet the following requirements within six (6) months of the Board receiving your application, your application will be considered incomplete. Please note: your application fee still remains non-refundable. You will be required to resubmit your application and application fee once you have met all requirements.

  • You must be a graduate from an AVMA approved veterinary technology program
  • You must request an official copy of your transcripts be sent to the Ohio Board
  • You must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and have your passing scores transferred to the Ohio Board; if you took the test in Ohio within the last 3 years the board will already have a copy of your score
  • Submit a fee: even numbered years = $25.00, odd numbered years = $35.00; all applications will be charged an additional $3.50 transaction fee
  • You must provide a picture of yourself; any picture where your face can be clearly seen is acceptable
  • You must complete both an Ohio criminal background check and an FBI criminal background check, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI); the results must be forwarded to the Ohio Board directly from BCI
  • You must provide official court documentation and a written statement explaining criminal charges, if applicable

Begin the application process

Contact Information:
The Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board
77 S. High Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614/644-5281
email: info@ovmlb.state.oh.us

Georgia (meets requirements)

Exams

Veterinary Technician National Exam

https://www.aavsb.org/VTNE/

Requirements

  • Completed application with appropriate fees
  • $50 non-refundable application fee
  • Complete Verification of Education Form

License Application

https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-veterinary-technician

Contact Information

214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334

Hawaii (meets requirements)

Clearances

  • Tuberculosis clearance within last 12 months
  • Tetanus vaccination within last 10 years
  • Health insurance
  • Criminal clearance check

Exams

Veterinary Technician National Exam

https://www.aavsb.org/VTNE/

Requirements

  • Attend a vocational school or college with a program accredited by the American Veterinary Association
  • Complete 10 credits of core courses in Veterinary Technology
  • Complete three credits of General Education
  • Provide two letters of recommendation proving work experience
  • Interview to define your capacity for the veterinary technician program

License Application

https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/programs/veterinarytechnician/application-forms-publications/

Contact Information

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/programs/veterinarytechnician/

West Virginia (meets requirements)

Exams

Veterinary Technician National Exam
Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence Examination

Requirements

Complete a two-to-four year veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Registration Application

RVT Online Application Form (wvbvm.org)

Contact Information

West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine
5509 Big Tyler Rd., Ste 3
Cross Lanes, WV 25313
304-776-8032
Registered Veterinary Technicians Overview (wvbvm.org)

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