Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Nevada

This is a great time to become a veterinary technician in the state of Nevada. Veterinary technology is one of the fastest-growing professional fields in this state, with a projected job growth of 33.5 percent between 2012 and 2022. This is even higher than the projected national growth for this profession (29.5 percent), which in turn is much higher than the projected growth of all jobs nationwide. [Leer en español]

Salaries for Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary technicians can earn a good living in the state of Nevada. While Nevada’s cost of living is 2.2 percent higher than the U.S. average, the mean annual salary for Nevada vet techs is also higher: $46,230 compared to $36,850. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the top earners in the field of veterinary technology in Nevada may earn as much as $59,260 per year.

Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

The Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is responsible for licensing veterinary technicians in the state of Nevada. Applicants for licensure must complete several steps before they are permitted to practice in the state.

First, applicants must complete an approved course of study, which may include an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program, an approved program of accelerated study, or a bachelor’s degree in a field related to animal science that has been approved by the Board.

Applicants must also complete two examinations: the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) with a minimum passing score of 425 and the take-home state jurisprudence exam with a passing score of 90 percent. Finally, each applicant must submit a letter of recommendation to the Board from a professional in the field of veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Technician National Examination

The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is the examination required by most states for licensing veterinary technicians. The test is administered twice a year, in June and December, at designated testing centers throughout the country. The exam covers topics such as animal care and nursing, professional ethics and jurisprudence, laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia techniques, and pharmacology. The VTNE is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam that takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete.

American Veterinary Medical Association-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs

Nevada has two schools with fully-accredited veterinary technician programs that each offer an associate of applied science degree. These schools are the Pima Medical Institute in Las Vegas and Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno.

Major Veterinary Technician Employers in Nevada

Veterinary technicians in Nevada work primarily with small, domestic animals in veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals, and animal shelters. There are 640 veterinary technicians currently working in the state, and that number has been growing rapidly and should continue to grow. Facilities in Nevada that need state-licensed vet techs include:

• Animal Emergency Center, Las Vegas
• Pet Medical Center of Las Vegas
• Animal Medical Center of Reno
• DOCS Veterinary Hospital, Carson City

Professional Organizations

Veterinary technicians in Nevada may want to join the Nevada Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) or the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). These two organizations can help with job searches, continuing education, hotel discounts, and health insurance discounts. The Nevada Veterinary Technician Association existed for several years but appears to be inactive at this time.

Veterinary Technician Schools in Nevada

• Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
• Reno-Sparks, NV

Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Area

Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas

3333 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89121

Veterinary Assistant – Certificate Program, Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

Pima Medical Institute offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are taught at their Las Vegas campus in the city of Las Vegas, NV. The college has approximately 988 students, with most 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 in the order of $12,024 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $743. Typically, the program is completed in 8 months.

Reno-Sparks, NV Area

Truckee Meadows Community College

7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno, Nevada 89512-3999

Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technician Associate’s program at Truckee Meadows Community College can be taken at their campus in the city of Reno, Nevada. Most of the school’s 11,106 students are in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $2,805 and for students from other states around $9,450 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,200, depending on 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

Nevada residents have further educational options in the neighboring states of California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona.