Veterinary Technician Schools in Ohio

Strong Outlook for Vet Tech Jobs in Ohio (OH)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023), job openings for veterinary technicians and technologists are expected to grow 21 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average projected for all occupations (3 percent). With the creation of 25,200 new jobs nationally, many of these in more rural regions, becoming a veterinary technician in Ohio can be an important investment in one’s future.

Furthermore, Projections Central (2023) offers more granular data on the future of vet techs in Ohio. It found that openings for veterinary technicians and technologists (between 2020 and 2030) are expected to increase at a slightly lower rate (10.4 percent) than what’s anticipated nationally.

Where Are Ohio Vet Techs Employed?

In Ohio and beyond, veterinary technicians not only work at veterinary hospitals and clinics, but also in kennels, zoos, shelters, animal rescue centers, farms, adoption non-profit organizations, biomedical research facilities, laboratories, universities, and aquariums. While some Ohio students might work traditional business hours, others might be asked to work holidays, weekends, or evenings to serve the needs of their veterinary patients.

If the traditional job-seeking websites are any indication, there should be plenty of opportunities in this field in the coming years. By illustration, Indeed (Oct. 2023) posted job openings for vet techs at places such as Detroit Dover Animal Hospital, Cleveland Metroparks, Petco, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Monster (Oct. 2023) had additional postings in OH at Town & Country Veterinary Clinic, Columbia Animal Clinic, and Madison Veterinary Hospital.

Finally, for veterinary technicians in OH looking to enhance their resume, salary prospects, or job candidacy, one option is to pursue specialization and become a veterinary technician specialist (VTS). There is an abundance of subfields distinguished by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA) such as critical care, dermatology, equine nursing, zoological medicine, radiology, anesthesia & analgesia, dentistry, and other niche areas.

For a detailed look at how to get educated and become a VTS in these and other specializations, please check out the vet tech career page.

Vet Tech Salary in OH

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), the 118,750 veterinary technicians nationwide had an annual average salary of $40,770 and the 4,360 veterinary technicians in OH had an annual average salary of $37,330. It’s important to note that the cost of living in Ohio is lower than in many other states across the country. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) reported that OH ranks #12 in affordability, with particular savings in housing compared to the rest of the country.

The table below compares national and state salaries of veterinary technicians.

It’s important to note that these figures also varied based on the source of data. For illustration, Indeed (October 2023) found an average annual salary of $35,635 among OH veterinary technicians, and Payscale—a data aggregator of self-reported salaries in common occupations—found national figures which differed from the BLS.

By illustration, Payscale (Oct. 2023), found the following percentiles nationally:

• 10th percentile: $29,000
• 50th percentile (median): $40,186
• 90th percentile: $56,000

Not only do the salaries for vet techs vary based on the source of data, but also by region within Ohio, for which the BLS keeps detailed figures.

How to Become a Vet Tech in Ohio

Here are the typical steps to becoming a veterinary technician in Ohio:

Step 1: Graduate from one of the accredited vet tech schools in Ohio (two to four years). These programs last from two to four years, and typically offer an associate of science (AS), an associate of applied science (AAS), or a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) upon successful completion of the requirements. According to the O*NET (2023), a partner of the American Job Center, 26 percent of vet techs held associate degrees.

The accredited veterinary technician programs in Ohio offer classes such as veterinary lab procedures, pharmacology, and large animal medicine. These accredited schools pay thought to coursework, as well as hands-on, clinical practicums to let students get experience in the veterinary field. Some vet tech students in Ohio choose to take electives in areas such as animal psychology, radiology, or anesthesia, and these specializations may even enhance a graduate’s job prospects.

Step 2: Take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

Step 3: Register with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board (OVMLB). While there is no special state test for vet techs in Ohio, they are required to register with the OVMLB. The application requirements are listed below. Those who are licensed in other states can apply for a Veterinary License by Reciprocity with a letter of good standing from the current licensing entity.

Step 4: Renew OVMLB registration (every two years). It should be noted that veterinary technicians in Ohio are required to renew their licenses by March 1st in odd-numbered years after completing ten hours of continuing education credit.

Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Ohio

The primary accreditation body for vet tech schools in Ohio is the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a division of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

There are currently 11 CVTEA-accredited veterinary technician programs in Ohio as of October 2023, which are outlined here in alphabetical order:

Columbus State Community College

Columbus State Community College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology and has full accreditation from the AVMA. The program helps to prepare students for work in the real world and has relationships with 160 different clinics in the state where students can train and get experience while going through the practical parts of their schooling.

The AAS degree program is offered full-time during the day, or part-time in the evenings. The full-time program takes about five semesters to complete and the part-time program takes 11 semesters. Courses include anatomy and physiology; veterinary parasitology; advanced medical terminology; principles of veterinary anesthesia; veterinary surgical techniques; animal nutrition; and more.

Columbus State Community College also has joint programs with Otterbein University (equine veterinary technology) and the State University of New York Canton (veterinary technology) where students can earn an AAS degree in addition to a BS degree. Columbus State Community College graduates had a 72.6 percent first-time pass rate on the VTNE between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Columbus, OH; Delaware, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: Ohio Residents ($177.93 per credit); non-Ohio, U.S. residents ($363.92 per credit)

Cuyahoga Community College

Cuyahoga Community College is another available choice for students in Ohio seeking vet tech programs. The school offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology and has AVMA accreditation. The program provides hands-on training in high-tech, newly constructed classrooms and labs offering real-life clinical internship experiences. Graduates of this program are prepared to take the veterinary technician national exam for becoming licensed technicians.

Students spend four semesters and a summer session completing the program for a total of 64 credits. Courses include veterinary science; veterinary diagnostic imaging; veterinary pathology; dentistry for veterinary technicians; animal health and disease; veterinary emergency and critical care; and more.

Twenty-four students are accepted into the program for each fall semester and must have completed prerequisites before beginning. Between 2020 and 2023, 94.12 percent of Cuyahoga graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt.

Students throughout this program work with food animals, companion animals, horses, exotic species, and laboratory animals. Graduates will be ready to take up positions at private practices, specialty clinics, emergency clinics, research facilities, educational institutions, zoological parks, and government agencies.

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: County residents ($124.54 per credit); Ohio residents ($154.08 per credit); out-of-state residents ($291.19 per credit)

Edison State Community College

Edison State Community College offers an AAS in Veterinary Technology program providing training to students in animal husbandry, nursing, restraint, drug administration, surgical preparation and assistance, laboratory techniques, anesthesia, and dentistry and radiography. The program will also provide students with clinical experience in various facilities such as emergency medical centers and private practices which will provide them with valuable on-the-job training.

The program comprises 65 credits including coursework in veterinary anatomy and physiology; veterinary office management; veterinary medical terminology; husbandry and wellness of small animals; small animal diseases; veterinary parasitology; veterinary pharmacology and calculations; husbandry, disease and techniques of exotic animals; veterinary nutrition; and veterinary dentistry, among others.

The VTNE scores for Edison State Community College are not yet available as it received AVMA accreditation in 2022.

• Location: Piqua, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Five semesters
• Estimated Tuition: Ohio residents ($176.62 per credit); non-Ohio residents ($326.94 per credit)

Kent State University (Two Campuses: Tuscarawas and Trumbull)

Kent State University offers an AAS degree in veterinary technology at their Tuscarawas and Trumbull campuses. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 and 15 hours of field experience in a veterinary practice in order to apply. The program prepares students to become successful veterinary technicians performing support functions such as clinical procedures and routine laboratories.

The program encompasses 64 credits and includes courses such as clinical laboratory; veterinary nursing; surgery and anesthesia; laboratory and exotic animal medicine; veterinary office applications; and more. Students complete labs and a practicum in a veterinary hospital.

Upon successful completion, graduates of this program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination, which is the first step toward pursuing registration in the State of Ohio. Between 2020 and 2023, 82.35 percent of Kent State graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt.

Graduates of this program can expect employment opportunities in biomedical research, wildlife facilities, diagnostic laboratories, animal control facilities, and humane societies.

• Location: Warren, OH; New Philadelphia, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: Ohio resident ($316.40 per credit); non-Ohio resident ($696 per credit)

Ross College

Ross College in North Canton also offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. Students learn a variety of lab procedures, as well as how to assist with anesthesia and surgery. Students in this program are provided with the skills and knowledge that will prepare them for entry-level employment in a variety of veterinary clinical settings and related fields.

This 24-course program includes courses such as introduction to veterinary technology; veterinary anatomy and physiology; small animal medicine; pharmacology; large animal medicine; veterinary imaging; veterinary medical terminology; and more. The program comprises 96 credits.

Students complete labs and an externship, and the program takes 96 weeks to complete. The first-time pass rate on the VTNE for Ross vet tech graduates was 39.62 percent between 2019 and 2022.

• Location: St. Clair, MI
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
• Expected Time to Completion: 96 weeks
• Estimated Tuition: Contact the college for a customized assessment

Sinclair Community College

Sinclair Community College offers an accredited AAS program in Veterinary Technology. This program provides training in nursing, animal husbandry & restraint, drug administration, surgical preparation & techniques, anatomy, anesthesia, radiography, and laboratory techniques. The program also includes preceptorships at several research institutions and private practices providing valuable on-the-job training.

Courses in this program include microbiology and lab; introduction to healthcare delivery; medical terminology; comparative anatomy and physiology, animal husbandry and disease; veterinary anesthesia, surgery, diagnostic laboratory and radiology; and more.

Students complete labs, clinical practicums, and a preceptorship to gain hands-on veterinary technician skills knowledge. Sinclair graduates had a VTNE first-time pass rate of 72.22 percent from 2020 to 2023.

• Location: Dayton, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $141.03 per credit

Stautzenberger College (Two Campuses: Brecksville and Maumee)

Stautzenberger College in both Brecksville and Maumee offers a 24-month AAS degree in veterinary technology. This is a hybrid program that incorporates online learning with on-campus instruction for hands-on components. Preparing students with the knowledge, procedures and skills to effectively contribute to the well-being and health of veterinary patients, the mission of this program is to prepare them for work in a small animal clinic setting.

The curriculum of this 114.5 credit program includes courses in advanced animal clinical procedures; microbiology; pharmacology; husbandry and disease, large animals; large animal medical techniques; husbandry and disease, small animals; veterinary life science; and more.

As per other programs, students complete labs and a veterinary externship. The first-time pass rate on the VTNE for Maumee vet tech graduates was 35.51 percent between 2020 and 2023, and 54.29 percent for Brecksville graduates.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities at veterinary hospitals, animal hospitals & shelters, on-site veterinary services, and much more.

• Location: Brecksville, OH; Maumee, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $31,500

University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College

The University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College offers another AAS degree in veterinary technology in Ohio, which takes 5 semesters (including one summer) to complete. This competitive program requires students to have a 2.75 GPA and 20 hours of veterinary-related experience before applying. Students who earn this associate degree will qualify for continued education in the bachelor’s in technical and applied studies degree program at UC Blue Ash College.

Consisting of 66 required semester hours, the program includes courses such as veterinary imaging; laboratory procedures; pharmacy and pharmacology; principles of anesthesia and surgery; animal husbandry and diseases; office and hospital procedures; and more.

Students complete a technical practicum and a preceptorship in their final semester. UC Blue Ash graduates had a three-year VTNE first-time pass rate of 79 percent from 2020 to 2023.

Graduates can take up opportunities at both pet and farm animals, zoos, industrial and medical research institutions, federal agencies, and the military.

• Location: Blue Ash, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: Part-time ($262 per credit); full-time ($3,128 per semester)

Valley College

Valley College in Cleveland, OH offers an associate of an applied science degree program in veterinary technician introducing students to a wide variety of advanced veterinary-based techniques and concepts. This highly interactive veterinary program will help students in enhancing their skills by training them to educate the public and clients on gold standard animal care. Courses in this hybrid program are offered mainly on-campus while some courses are taught online.

The program consists of 65 credits including coursework in veterinary anatomy & physiology; small animal applications; large animal applications; animal laboratory & techniques; surgical & dental procedures; and a veterinary technician externship.

Students in this program will learn about monitoring anesthesia, laboratory testing, preparing tissue samples, monitoring critical patients, wound management, phlebotomy, radiology, animal CPR, surgical preparation of animals, and surgical aseptic techniques. The VTNE scores for Valley College are not yet available as it received AVMA accreditation in 2021.

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 19 months
• Estimated Tuition: $30,690

Accreditation and Licensing for Vet Techs in Ohio

The primary accreditation body for vet tech schools in Ohio is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The AVMA bases its accreditation on many factors, including the quality of the curriculum, instruction, facilities, and program outcomes. Going to a school that does not have accreditation means students typically cannot sit for the exam required for licensure.

Upon graduation from an accredited vet tech school in Ohio, students typically need to become registered in the state of Ohio. There is no state test for licensure in Ohio, but students are required to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). To pass, vet techs need to score a 425 or greater. In addition to passing the test, students must apply to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board (OVMLB). The requirements of the application include:

• Recent photograph (print name and DOB on back)
• Sealed envelope with an official transcript from an AVMA-accredited vet tech school
• Registration fee
• Transfer of VTNE scores to the OVMLB
• Have the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) perform an Ohio and FBI criminal background check, and have the BCI send the results directly to the OVMLB

Consult the OVMLB website to learn more about the rules and regulations governing working vets and vet techs in the state of Ohio.

After the initial registration, vet techs in Ohio must renew their licenses by March 1st in odd-numbered years. Additionally, they must have at least ten hours of continuing education. At least six of these hours need to be related to veterinary medical science, while the other four hours can be non-scientific and self-taught (e.g., journals, videos, computer training, or office management).

Becoming a vet tech in Ohio can be a rewarding choice for animal lovers seeking a career with bright job prospects in the future.