Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Missouri

The field of veterinary technology offers a rewarding career with great job prospects for animal lovers in the state of Missouri. Veterinary technician jobs in Missouri are expected to grow around 22 percent between 2012 and 2022, which is slightly slower than the overall job outlook for this field but still well above average compared to projected state and national job growth. [Leer en español]

Salaries for Veterinary Technicians

The mean annual salary for a veterinary technician in Missouri is $32,170, which is nearly identical to the national average veterinary technician salary of $36,850. While this wage is slightly lower than the median national salary for all workers ($34,750), the overall cost of living in Missouri is 8.9 percent below average. Furthermore, the highest-paid veterinary technician positions in Missouri can pay as much as $42,050 per year. All in all, people pursuing careers in veterinary technology in Missouri should find plentiful job prospects and solid incomes.

Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

The registration requirements for veterinary technicians in Missouri include both the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and the Missouri State Board Examination. Candidates must pass the VTNE with a minimum score of 425 and the Missouri State Board Examination with no less than 70 percent. Candidates may take each test up to four times to successfully pass. Failed attempts to pass the VTNE in other states do count toward the four allotted attempts. After candidates have successfully passed both examinations, they may register with the Missouri Division of Professional Registration and seek work as veterinary technicians.

Veterinary Technician National Exam and State Board Exam

The VTNE is a three-hour, computer-based exam that tests veterinary technicians on their knowledge of clinical procedures and animal care. This examination has 180 multiple-choice questions, divided into two sections: Applied Science (90 questions) and Clinical Applications (90 questions). The Missouri State Board Examination consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and is designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge of state laws and regulations for veterinary technicians.

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 Programs

Missouri has several veterinary medical programs that have been certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Schools with fully accredited associate of science programs include Crowder College in NeoshoJefferson College in HillsboroMetropolitan Community College in Kansas City, and the Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College in St. Louis. Two schools also have initial accreditation: Brown Mackie College in St. Louis and the Midwest Institute in Fenton.

Continuing Education in Veterinary Technology

Veterinary technicians in Missouri must maintain their certification by completing a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education each year. Continuing education courses can be taken online or through an AVMA-approved school and must cover topics such as animal nutrition, pharmacology, pathology, laboratory procedures, and surgical technology. Additional information on Missouri’s certification requirements for veterinary technicians is available

Major Veterinary Technician Employers in Missouri

Missouri has 1,190 veterinary technicians currently employed within the state. Vet techs in Missouri may work in small animal clinics or hospitals, provide medical care for the large livestock and production animal industry in Missouri or work in animal shelters and humane societies caring for injured, lost, and abandoned animals. Facilities in need of veterinary technicians include:

Professional Organizations

The leading professional organization for veterinary technicians in Missouri is the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (MOVMA). Registered Missouri vet techs are also eligible to join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).

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Veterinary Technician Schools in Missouri

Joplin, MO Area

Crowder College

601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, Missouri 64850

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technology Associate’s program at Crowder College can be taken at their campus in the town of Neosho. Most of the school’s 5,710 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 generally in the order of $2,352 and are $3,312 and $3,312 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Learning materials may cost around $900, although this will vary with the program.

Kansas City, MO-KS Area

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

3200 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri 64111-2429

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Metropolitan Community College’s Associate program is taught at their Kansas City campus in the city of Kansas City. This public college has around 18,222 students in total, with most students on 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 roughly around $2,880 and are $5,280 and $6,900 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while study materials may cost roughly $2,160, depending on the program.

St. Louis, MO-IL Area

Brown Mackie College-St Louis

2 Soccer Park Rd, Fenton, Missouri 63026

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Brown Mackie College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is based at their St Louis campus in Fenton in Saint Louis County. The majority of the school’s 504 students are on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The cost of tuition is, as a rough guide, in the order of $12,672 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $603, although this varies from program to program.

Hickey College

2700 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Louis, Missouri 63114

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Associate’s program at Hickey College can be taken at their campus in Saint Louis in Saint Louis County, MO. The majority of the school’s 415 students are in 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are likely to be around $13,890 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,740, although this will vary with the program.

Jefferson College

1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro, Missouri 63050-2440

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Jefferson College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is taught at their campus in Hillsboro in Jefferson County, MO. This public college has approximately 4,882 students in total, with most students on 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 $2,400 and are $3,576 and $4,728 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while books and supplies may cost about $916, although this varies from program to program.

Midwest Institute

964 South Highway Drive, Fenton, Missouri 63026

Veterinary Assistant – Associate ProgramVeterinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Midwest Institute offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in Fenton in Saint Louis County, MO. The majority of the school’s 225 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is about $29,360 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,109. Typically, the program is completed in 16 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

See options in the neighboring states of IowaNebraskaKansasOklahomaArkansasTennesseeKentucky, and Illinois.