Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Kansas
The number of jobs available for veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and animal caretakers in Kansas is expected to grow every year for the next several years. This means that anyone interested in working with animals has a great opportunity for a rewarding career in the state. Becoming a vet tech in Kansas requires registration through the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE). [Leer en español]
Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Kansas
With an average annual salary of $36,140, vet techs in Kansas earn a competitive wage when compared to the national average of $36,850. Top earners in the state can make as much as $46,410 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those working in the fields of animal caretaking and veterinary assisting earn less, with an average salary of $24,120, but they also require less training.
Requirements for Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Kansas
Vet techs in Kansas must be registered with the KBVE. Registration requirements include the completion of a veterinary technician program at an accredited institution, a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination, and a complete application with the appropriate fee and a photograph.
Penn Foster College – Veterinary Technician Program
Full 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 Programs
Working as a vet tech is rewarding, but it also requires certain skills that are taught in veterinary technician programs. These are typically two-year programs, and there are several in the state of Kansas that are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
- Brown Mackie College – Kansas City, Salina
- Colby Community College, Colby
- Independence Community College, Independence
- Wright Career College, Overland Park
Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
Once a student has graduated from an accredited veterinary technician program, they must take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). This is an extensive exam that covers topics such as animal nursing, clinical procedures, and practice management. Passing this exam is one of the requirements for becoming a vet tech in Kansas.
Veterinary Technician Employers
The 520 vet techs and 1,000 vet assistants and animal caretakers in Kansas are working for a variety of employers. These include large veterinary hospitals, animal emergency rooms, small private practices, research laboratories, kennels, and animal rescue centers. Some important employers include:
- Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Wichita, Wichita
- Bayer Animal Health, Shawnee
- Animal Care ER, Salina
- Great Plains SPCA, Kansas City
Professional Organizations for Vet Techs
For veterinary technicians or those studying to become a vet tech, the Kansas Veterinary Technicians Association is an important professional organization to join. It provides members with information about job opportunities, chances to network, and continuing education courses and events. Kansas vet techs may also want to join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, which provides opportunities and resources on a national level.
Veterinary Technician Schools in Kansas
Kansas City, MO-KS Area
Brown Mackie College-Kansas City
9705 Lenexa Dr., Lenexa, Kansas 66215
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
Brown Mackie College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is offered at their Kansas City campus in Lenexa in Johnson County, KS. This private, for-profit college has around 458 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees are generally around $12,672 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $603, although this will depend on the program.
Wright Career College
10700 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas 66210-1616
Veterinary Nursing & Technology – Associate Program
Wright Career College’s Associate-level Veterinary Nursing & Technology program is offered at its campus in the city of Overland Park, KS. The majority of the school’s 1,391 students are in 4-year programs. Tuition fees are, as a rough guide, around $13,100 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $1,600, although this varies from program to program.
Kansas nonmetropolitan area Area
Brown Mackie College-Salina
2106 South 9th Street, Salina, Kansas 67401-7307
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
Brown Mackie College’s Associate program in Veterinary Technology is offered at their Salina campus in the town of Salina. This private, for-profit college has around 452 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees are likely to be about $12,672 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost around $603, although this will depend on the program.
Colby Community College
1255 S Range, Colby, Kansas 67701
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Colby Community College is taught at their campus in the town of Colby. Most of the school’s 1,508 students are in 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Fees for tuition for in-district students are usually in the order of $3,150 and are $3,300 and $4,920 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while books and supplies may cost about $1,200, although this varies from program to program.
Independence Community College
1057 West College Avenue, Independence, Kansas 67301-0708
Veterinary Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Independence Community College is offered at their campus in the town of Independence. This public college has about 945 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for in-district students is likely to be in the order of $3,376 and is $3,664 and $4,944 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Learning materials may cost about $200, although this will vary with the program.
Wichita, KS Area
Butler Community College
901 S Haverhill Rd, El Dorado, Kansas 67042-3280
Pre-Veterinarian – Associate Program
Butler Community College’s Associate program is taught at their campus in the town of El Dorado, KS. The majority of the school’s 9,003 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for in-district students is generally in the order of $3,235 and is $3,565 and $5,185 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Learning materials may cost around $1,000, although this will vary with the program.
* 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
Kansas residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
[sp-listings]