Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Michigan

Working with animals is a rewarding career, whether that means being a licensed veterinary technician or working as a veterinary assistant or an animal caretaker. All of these careers are currently growing in Michigan and new jobs are opening up all the time. If you want to work as a vet tech in Michigan, you must be trained and then licensed through the state Board of Veterinary Medicine. [Leer en español]

Salaries for Veterinary Technicians

Michigan vet techs make an average annual salary of $37,440 and the national average of $36,850 with top earners making as much as $47,850. Veterinary assistants and animal caretakers, which are positions that do not require licensing, earn less with an average salary of $29,720. Top earners in these careers can make as much as $37,730 per year.

Licensing Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

Vet techs working in the state must be licensed through the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to a completed application and fee, applicants for licensure must submit proof of completion of a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Applicants must also show proof of passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination, be fingerprinted, and undergo a criminal background check.

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.

More Information

AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs

There are several programs for veterinary technology in Michigan that have been accredited by the AVMA. This is required for licensing in the state to ensure that vet techs learn the skills needed to perform the duties of the job. AVMA schools in Michigan include:

Veterinary Technician Employers in Michigan

There are 2,830 vet techs and 1,770 vet assistants and animal caretakers working in Michigan with more positions opening up all the time. These animal professionals work for veterinarians, animal hospitals, rescue groups, and other organizations that care for animals:

Professional Organizations for Michigan Veterinary Technicians

Vet techs working in Michigan can join the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians to help increase awareness of what these professionals do and to gain access to resources for employment, education, and networking. There is also the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, which offers similar resources on a national level.

Tell us about yourself so we can find programs near you.




Veterinary Technician Schools in Michigan

Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area Area

Siena Heights University

1247 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, Michigan 49221

Pre-Veterinary – Bachelor Program

Siena Heights University’s Bachelor’s program in Pre-Veterinary is based at their campus in the town of Adrian, Michigan. Of the 2,642 students, about 9% are postgraduates. The university is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition is broadly in the order of $23,750 per year, while study materials may cost in the order of $1,000, depending on the program.

Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Division Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Canton

44958 Ford Rd, Canton, Michigan 48187

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Ross Medical Education Center’s Certificate-level Veterinary Assistant program is offered at their Canton campus in Canton in Wayne County, MI. The college has around 135 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is 81%. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is about $14,200 per year. Typically, the program is completed in 9 months.

Flint, MI Area

Baker College

1050 West Bristol Road, Flint, Michigan 48507-5508

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Baker College’s Associate program is based at their campus in Flint in Genesee County, MI. This is a full, 4-year private college with 3,726 students, of which 100% are undergraduates. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees are broadly about $8,640 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,800, depending on the program.

Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Portage

6235 S Westnedge, Portage, Michigan 49002

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Ross Medical Education Center’s Certificate-level Veterinary Assistant program is based at its Portage campus in the city of Portage. The college has in the region of 165 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Tuition fees for the Vet Tech program are, as a rough guide, around $14,200 yearly. Program completion is normally 9 months.

Lansing-East Lansing, MI Area

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1046

Veterinary Technology – Bachelor Program, Veterinary Technology – Certificate Program

Michigan State University offers multiple training options, including a Bachelor’s program and a Certificate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of NULL, Michigan. This is a full, 4-year public college with 50,081 students, of which 77% are undergraduates. The university is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-state students are generally around $13,560 and for out-of-state students approximately $36,360 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,068, depending on the program chosen.

Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metropolitan Division Area

Macomb Community College

14500 E Twelve Mile Rd, Warren, Michigan 48088-3896

Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

Macomb Community College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technician program is offered at its campus in the city of Warren, Michigan. Most of the school’s 22,914 students are in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-district students are likely to be around $3,169 and are $4,945 and $6,641 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while books and supplies may cost about $1,556, although this will vary with the program.

Oakland Community College

2480 Opdyke Rd, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304-2266

Veterinary Technician – Certificate Program

Oakland Community College’s Certificate program in Veterinary Technician is offered at their campus in Bloomfield Hills in Oakland County, MI. The college has in the region of 24,031 students in total, with the majority of students in 2-year programs. Tuition fees for in-district students are roughly around $2,745 and are $5,235 and $7,305 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while study materials may cost roughly $1,400, depending on the program.

Ross Medical Education Center-Madison Heights

29429 John R Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center is taught at their Madison Heights campus in Madison Heights in Oakland County. Most of the school’s 216 students are in diploma programs of under two years. Tuition fees for the Vet Tech program are in the order of $14,200 per year. Program completion is usually 9 months.

Ross Medical Education Center-New Baltimore

51133 Birch Street, Ste 100, New Baltimore, Michigan 48047

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Ross Medical Education Center’s Certificate-level Veterinary Assistant program is taught at their New Baltimore campus in New Baltimore in Macomb County, Michigan. This private, for-profit college has about 158 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is around $14,600 annually. Typically, the program is completed in 9 months.

* 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

Michigan residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

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