Online Vet Tech Programs: A Complete Guide
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Veterinary MedicineIntegrative MedicineSmall AnimalsDr. Amanda Jondle is a licensed veterinarian specializing in small animal medicine and surgery. She is a graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has a particular interest in integrative medicine, including acupuncture and chiropractic care. In addition to caring for the animals on her farm, Dr. Jondle writes for her blog, Vetmewsings.com.
Amanda Jondle, Veterinarian
Dr. Amanda Jondle is a licensed veterinarian specializing in small animal medicine and surgery. She is a graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has a particular interest in integrative medicine, including acupuncture and chiropractic care. In addition to caring for the animals on her farm, Dr. Jondle writes for her blog, Vetmewsings.com.
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Becoming a veterinary technician or technologist (vet tech) is a great way to enter this fast-growing and highly rewarding field. Let EduMed show you the different certificate and degree options, including how online coursework combines with hands-on experience in some of today’s best hybrid/online vet tech programs.
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Online vet tech programs allow their graduates to enter the workforce quickly and conveniently. Although some in-person hours may be required, the majority of coursework can be completed entirely online. In just around two years, students can complete their programs and become eligible for certification, licensing, and meet other state-specific requirements.
- In May 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that veterinary technicians earned a median salary of $45,980 per year. The top 10% of vet techs brought home an estimated $60,880. The BLS also reports that vet techs can expect a 9% increased in job openings from 2024-2034, which is much faster than average.
Let EduMed show you how these programs work and what you can expect both during and after you graduate.
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Understanding Online Vet Tech Programs
The difference between online and on-campus programs is the study convenience and flexibility offered by distance education. Though online program features may vary from institution to institution, all accredited online veterinary technician programs will include some in-person clinical experiences, as vet techs have hands-on jobs. Skills might include:
- Restraining animals safely
- Administering medications
- Performing basic laboratory tests
In online vet tech programs, you will be required to work or volunteer in an approved veterinary clinic for a minimum number of hours. The good news is, you have control over how and when you attend your clinicals. As a vet tech student, you can expect:
- Flexibility: You can often arrange your hours at times that are most convenient for you
- Balance: Because academic courses are completed entirely online, students can work at a full-time job during the day and study on the nights and weekends
As you review your program options, keep in mind that online degrees fall into one of two categories.
Mostly Online
These vet tech programs offer the maximum flexibility. Some are offered in an accelerated format while others allow students to pursue their education on a part-time basis.
Using a combination of online textbooks, discussion boards, and multi-media presentations, these programs can be completed almost entirely off-campus. Students collaborate with one another and with faculty members using digital resources.
While mostly online vet tech programs still have clinical requirements. In-person requirements include:
- Off-campus training hours: can usually be completed at a veterinary clinic on a schedule of the student’s own choosing
- On-campus laboratory work: may be limited to just a few campus visits per semester
The programs we’ve featured on this page can all be completed mostly online.
Partially Online
In vet tech schools with partially online programs, students may or may not be required to volunteer or work at a veterinary clinic while earning their degree. However, students are often required to:
- Complete academic classes and general education requirements through distance education courses
- Travel to campus for clinical requirements
While not as flexible as mostly online vet tech programs, partially online programs may be a good choice for students with limited hours to be on campus each week. Time on campus can be focused on clinical classes while other program requirements can be completed online on a schedule that is most convenient to you.
Looking for another education and career path working with animals? Check out EduMed’s guide to online veterinary assistant schools.
Online Vet Tech Degree Options
If you’re wondering how long it takes to become a vet tech, the answer depends on the type of degree program you pursue. Online vet tech schools typically offer two degree options:
- Associate degree: can typically be completed in two years
- Bachelor’s degree: normally requires four years of full-time study
Program lengths are not the only difference between associate and bachelor’s degree programs. Your program choice may depend largely on where you see your career going in the long run.
Associate degree
Most accredited online vet tech schools offer an associate degree, making these two-year programs the standard credential for veterinary technicians. Sometimes called veterinary nursing degrees, an associate degree in veterinary technology will cover all the basics needed to work in a private clinical practice.
Course topics include:
- Small and large animal care
- Surgical procedures
- Pharmacology
- Dentistry
To be admitted to an online vet tech associate degree program, you may need to first complete a number of general education classes. You may do this by:
- Enrolling in your selected school in a non-major program
- Applying to the vet tech program once you complete prerequisites
An associate degree can be a smart choice for anyone who knows they want a hands-on career with animals and would like to enter the workforce quickly.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology is often chosen by those who want to be veterinary technologists or who would like to eventually become veterinarians. Vet tech bachelor’s programs may require applicants to possess an associate degree in veterinary technology before they can be admitted to the program.
A four-year degree in the vet tech field will provide a more advanced education in the care of animals. As a student in a bachelor’s degree vet tech program, you can:
- Gain the skills needed to work in private clinical practices
- Be prepared to work with laboratory animals in research facilities
- Have the opportunity to work outside of direct animal care as a veterinary clinic administrator, pharmaceutical sales representative, or instructor in associate degree programs
Some schools offer their vet tech bachelor’s programs with pre-professional tracks that can be a stepping stone to veterinary school and a career as a veterinarian.
Curriculum Focus: Online Classes & On-Site Clinicals
While individual class titles vary, all online vet tech programs cover the same basic topics. Curriculums are intended to prepare students to provide both routine care as well as work in high-stress, emergency situations. Classes are broken down into online academic courses, and on-site clinical work. Here’s what to expect from both:
Vet tech online classes
The following classes are usually offered online. They provide a foundation of knowledge that will then be put to work in a clinical setting.
Animal Anatomy: This is often one of the first classes a vet tech student will take. It covers all the major body systems (skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and urinary). At the end of the course, students are able to identify tissues and organs and understand how systems are interrelated.
Animal Diseases: This course typically focuses on common animal diseases and immune response. The goal with this course is not only to be able to identify diseases, but also understand appropriate treatments and preventive measures to avoid the spread of communicable illnesses.
Pharmacology and Toxicology: As with human medicine, veterinary care relies on pharmaceuticals to combat illness and maintain good health. In this class, students learn about the proper administration and potential side effects of veterinary drugs. Upon completion of the course, students are able to calculate proper dosages, recognize various drug classifications, and understand potential dangers associated with specific medications.
Animal Behavior: Vet techs need to understand how animals behave and proper handling techniques. This class offers instruction in typical animal responses to stressful situations and options for providing care in a safe manner. Courses on animal behavior may focus specifically on the handling of cats and dogs or branch out to include other species as well.
Veterinary Office Procedures: While veterinary technicians work in the exam room, they may also be responsible for taking notes, inputting patient records, and responding to client concerns. Courses in office procedures cover the proper ways to perform these tasks effectively while maintaining patient confidentiality and complying with applicable government requirements.
Vet tech on-site clinicals
Clinical requirements ensure students are able to take the information presented in lecture classes and put it into practice. Here are three lab classes you may take as part of a vet tech program.
Anatomy Lab: Students may be required to take an anatomy lab in conjunction with an online class in anatomy. This hands-on class may include dissection and necropsy procedures. Given the nature of this class, it may be one of the few on-campus requirements of online degree programs.
Emergency and First Aid: This clinical requirement ensures students know how to respond to a number of emergency situations. It will cover topics such as cardiac arrest, shock, poisonings, and trauma. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate animals in an emergency situation and administer appropriate first aid treatments. This clinical requirement can often be met at a local veterinary clinic where a student is working or volunteering.
Clinical Procedures: As an introduction to laboratory procedures, this clinical requirement teaches students basic lab techniques and diagnostic methods. It will cover topics such as hematology, organ function tests, and post mortem examinations. As with other clinical classes, these requirements may be filled at an approved veterinary clinic rather than on-campus.
How Much Does Online Vet Tech School Cost?
For many students, a top concern is how to pay for college. Fortunately, many online vet tech programs are offered by community colleges which traditionally have lower tuition rates than four-year schools.
Tuition and fees:
- Public community colleges: average $3,860 per year for in-state students in 2022-23, according to the College Board
- Four-year public colleges and universities: range from $10,940 to $28,240 per year in 2022-23, depending on your residency status and whether a school is public or private
Before you write off online vet tech programs as too expensive, remember that there are numerous financial aid options to help you pay for your education. We have a page dedicated to specific scholarships and spotlighting online vet tech schools that accept financial aid.
Vet Tech Certification & Licensing
Earning a vet tech degree is only one step along the path of your career. You will also need to be licensed to work in your state. Professional credentialing can vary from state-to-state, but almost all jurisdictions use the Veterinary Technician National Exam as a prerequisite to licensure. Here’s what to expect:
Complete the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
Once you graduate from an accredited vet tech program, you should be eligible to take the VTNE. The exam is offered during three windows each year. Additional facts about the VTNE:
- Computer-based
- Takes three hours to complete
- Consists of 170 multiple-choice questions
- Offered in both English and French
To complete the exam:
- Apply by submitting an official copy of your program transcript and paying a $325 fee.
- Schedule your exam time at a local testing center once your application has been accepted.
- Receive your official score immediately at the conclusion of the exam.
While the VTNE is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, that organization does not actually credential vet techs. Instead, you’ll need to submit your official score report to your state veterinary licensing board.
Become Licensed as a Veterinary Technician
State veterinary licensing boards are the entities that approve vet technicians to work within their borders. Each board has its own licensing criteria, but there are some common requirements across jurisdictions. Generally, these include:
- Graduating from an accredited vet tech program
- Taking and passing the VTNE
- Passing an additional exam focused on the knowledge of state laws and regulations overseeing veterinary practice—may or may not be required
- Paying a fee
- Passing a background check
- Submitting letters of recommendation
Check with your state veterinary licensing board for the specific requirements in your state.
What Career Paths are Available?
Working in a private veterinary clinic is only one career path to consider. Earning a vet tech degree can also give you the skills needed to work in one of the following specialized fields, many of which are governed by societies and academies offering their own credentialing processes.
Critical Care
Critical care technicians are employed at emergency clinics where they assist in treating seriously injured and ill animals.
Dentistry
Both private veterinary clinics and specialists may hire veterinary dental technicians to assist with routine cleanings and other oral care.
Anesthesia
Some vet techs specialize in caring for animals before, during, and after receiving anesthesia for medical procedures.
Zoological
Although most vet techs work with small animals, some move on to positions at zoos and wildlife parks where they care for exotic species.
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