Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Delaware

Delaware is a small state and only employs a few hundred veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and animal caregivers, but like most states, there are jobs available for those interested in working with animals. Animal care jobs are expected to grow in Delaware by almost 23 percent over the next few years, and salaries for these jobs are competitive. [Leer en español]

Salaries for Veterinary Technicians

Delaware has a slightly higher than average cost of living and the average salary for vet techs reflects that. The national average salary is $36,850, but it is $36,360 for vet techs working in Delaware, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest earners in the field in the state make $49,700. Veterinary assistants and animal caregivers, who go through less pre-job training, earn an average salary of $26,870 in Delaware.

Requirements to Work as a Veterinary Technician

The State of Delaware Division of Professional Regulation is responsible for licensing vet techs working in the state. Vet assistants and animal caregivers do not need to be licensed. To become licensed, vet techs must submit a signed and notarized application with the necessary fee and transcripts from a completed program at a vet tech program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Licensing also requires a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

Featured School

Penn Foster College – Veterinary Technician Program

Penn FosterFull accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Clinical externships through a private practice near your home or Penn Foster College’s partner VCA Animal Hospitals. Gain hands-on experience alongside licensed veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians. Call 1-800-851-1819 today.

AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Education

The state of Delaware requires that vet techs working in the state have completed an AVMA-accredited program in veterinary technology anywhere in the country. Only one such program operates in Delaware: the veterinary technology program at Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown. The program has full accreditation, and students who complete it earn an associate’s degree and are prepared to take and pass the VTNE.

Veterinary Technician National Examination

The VTNE is given year-round, and the state of Delaware requires that vet techs pass it to obtain their license. The exam contains 170 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anesthesia, pharmacology, surgery, dentistry, laboratory procedures, and animal nursing. The registration fee for the exam is $325. If a person fails the exam the first time, they can reapply and register for the next available exam at a reduced rate of $125.

The VTNE is offered in both computer-based and paper-and-pencil formats. All test centers are open year-round, but it is recommended that people register at least two weeks before the desired test date.

Veterinary Technician Employers in Delaware

Only 350 vet techs are working in Delaware and 180 vet assistants or animal caregivers. Employers include veterinarians and veterinary specialists, animal hospitals and emergency centers, animal research laboratories, and animal rescue centers:

Professional Organizations

Delaware vet techs can contact the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association for information about careers, resources, and job listings. Although there is no state chapter, vet techs working in Delaware can join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, or NAVTA, and get access to resources on a national level, including access to continuing education and professional development opportunities.

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Veterinary Technician Schools in Delaware

Dover, DE Area

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware 19901

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technology Associate’s program at Delaware Technical Community College can be taken at their Terry campus in the city of Dover, DE. The college has in the region of 2,939 students in total, with the majority of students in 2-year programs. Fees for tuition for in-state students are around $3,632 and for out-of-state students likely to be about $8,522 yearly, while books and supplies may cost around $1,600, depending on the program chosen.

* Tuition fees and accreditation status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with the college before applying.

Other Options

Delaware residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of PennsylvaniaNew JerseyMaryland, and New York