Becoming a Veterinary Technician in North Carolina
Veterinary technology is currently one of the fastest-growing professions in the state of North Carolina. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of veterinary technician positions in this state is projected to increase by 35.4 percent. This is even faster than the projected rate of job growth for veterinary technology nationwide, which is 29.5 percent, and much higher than the overall projected rate of job growth, which is 10.8 percent. [Leer en español]
Salaries for Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary technicians in North Carolina earn a very solid average annual salary of $36,590. Although this is lower than the average nationwide vet tech salary of $36,850, North Carolina has a lower cost of living and lower median home prices than the U.S. average. The top earners in the field of veterinary technology in North Carolina may earn as much as $47,090 per year.
Requirements for Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary technicians in North Carolina must be licensed by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board. To qualify for licensure, applicants must complete an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved two or four-year course of study, pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and pass the North Carolina Veterinary Technician State Exam. Vet techs who have been licensed in another state must pass the North Carolina exam before they may practice in this state.
Veterinary Technician National Examination
The VTNE is a three-hour, multiple-choice exam administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Applicants must register for the exam with AAVSB and must submit proof of their successful completion of an AVMA-accredited program. The VTNE tests applicants’ knowledge in areas such as animal care, clinical procedures, pharmacology, laboratory procedures, anesthesia, and client education. Applicants have the opportunity to retake the VTNE if they are not satisfied with their initial score.
North Carolina Veterinary Technician State Exam
The North Carolina Veterinary Technician State Exam is administered by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board. This exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions based on topics such as animal anatomy, physiology, and health care. It also includes questions on laboratory techniques, pharmacology, and nutrition. Applicants must receive a passing score of at least 70 percent to be eligible for licensure in North Carolina.
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 Education
Currently, there are four AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs in the state of North Carolina. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Central Carolina Community College, and Gaston College all have fully-accredited programs that culminate in associate of applied science degrees. An additional school, Miller-Motte College, has a diploma program that is currently under initial accreditation.
Major Veterinary Technician Employers in North Carolina
There are 3,170 veterinary technicians currently employed in North Carolina, and that number is expected to grow by over 1,000 positions to 4,290 by 2022. Vet techs in this state work with animals large and small, in veterinary hospitals, clinics, and farms. Some of the facilities in North Carolina in need of licensed veterinary technicians include:
- Veterinary Specialty Hospital, Raleigh
- Regional Emergency Animal Care Hospital, Asheville
- Veterinary Medical Center Large Animal Hospital, Knoxville, TN
- The Humane Society of Piedmont, Planned Pethood, Greensboro
Asheville Humane Society, Asheville
Professional Organizations
The North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians is the leading professional association for vet techs in this state. Membership benefits include job postings and information about current advocacy efforts. North Carolina vet techs may also join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
Veterinary Technician Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina Vet Tech schools include;
- Burlington, NC
- Asheville, NC
- Other North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
- Western Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
- Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC
- Raleigh-Cary, NC
Asheville, NC Area
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, North Carolina 28801-4897
Veterinary Medical Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is taught at their campus in the city of Asheville. Most of the school’s 7,507 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are in the order of $2,419 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $8,563 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $2,000, although this varies from program to program.
Burlington, NC Area
Alamance Community College
1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, North Carolina 27253-8000
Animal Care and Management Technology – Associate Program, Animal Care and Management Technology – Certificate Program
Alamance Community College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in Graham in Alamance County, NC. This public college has about 4,437 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Commission on Colleges accredited the college. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly in the order of $2,190 and for students from outside the state around $7,950 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $2,874, although this varies from program to program.
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Area
Gaston College
201 Hwy 321 S, Dallas, North Carolina 28034
Veterinary Medical Technology – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Gaston College is offered at their campus in Dallas in Gaston County. This public college has approximately 5,777 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly $2,562 and for out-of-state students around $8,708 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost about $1,200, although this will vary with the program.
Other North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Area
Central Carolina Community College
1105 Kelly Dr, Sanford, North Carolina 27330-9840
Veterinary Medical Technology – Associate Program
The Veterinary Medical Technology Associate’s program at Central Carolina Community College is offered at their campus in the town of Sanford. The majority of the school’s 4,776 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are in the order of $2,412 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $8,556 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,760, although this will vary with the program.
Raleigh-Cary, NC Area
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh
3901 Capital Blvd Ste 151, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-6072
Veterinary Technology – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Miller-Motte College-Raleigh can be taken at their Raleigh campus in the city of Raleigh, NC. Most of the school’s 375 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are, as a rough guide, around $10,695 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,800, although this varies from program to program.
Western Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area Area
Davidson County Community College
297 Davidson Community College Rd, Thomasville, North Carolina 27360-7385
Zoo Science Technology – Associate Program
Davidson County Community College’s Associate program in Zoo Science Technology is based at their campus in Thomasville in Davidson County. The college has approximately 4,102 students, with most in 2-year programs. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Commission on Colleges accredited the college. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly the order of $2,460 and for students from outside the state around $8,604 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,620, 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
See options in the neighboring states of Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.
[sp-listings]