Vet Tech Programs in Delaware

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In the Diamond State of Delaware (DE), there’s a long tradition of protecting animals and working to serve their interests. As proof of point, the Delaware Humane Association (DHA) boasts an abundance of services for furry and feathered creatures, including an affordable spay & neuter program, vaccination clinics, animal foster care, dog training & licensing, and a pet food pantry. They also have programs that tap into the mutually beneficial relationship between animals and humans such as Pets for the Elderly and Pets for Patriots.

Additionally, the Delaware SPCA has various services for animals and pet owners in the state, as well as a Community Cat campaign—a partnership with PetSmart Charities—to ensure that the thousands of feral cats in the state end the cycle of kitten overproduction and consequently, end cat homelessness.

One way for an animal-loving resident of Delaware to get involved is to become a licensed veterinary technician (LVT). In the Blue Hen State, licensure is necessary for practice as a veterinary technician (vet tech).

According to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), these animal healthcare professionals take on varied responsibilities such as assisting veterinarians with surgeries; taking diagnostics images; restraining animal patients during routine examinations; taking biological samples (e.g., bodily fluids); testing them in a laboratory through various scientific processes (e.g., urinalysis, hematology, blood chemistry); giving first aid to animals; maintaining veterinary medical records and pharmaceutical inventories; keeping surgical rooms and equipment clean; and educating pet-owners on best practices for animal care.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA 2021) adds that the scope of practice in this profession varies by state. In DE, vet techs can perform the following additional procedures under the immediate supervision of a veterinarian: intubation; monitoring anesthesia levels during procedures; catheterizing arteries or urethras; performing cystocentesis; extracting teeth; and dispensing controlled substances.

However, in emergency conditions, DE vet techs may apply tourniquets, give pharmaceuticals, and fulfill additional functions as long as a licensed vet is en route to the healthcare setting.

School Website main address online program Avma Accredited
Delaware Technical Community College-Owens 21179 College Drive, Georgetown, Delaware, 19947NoYes

Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs in Delaware

In order to qualify for licensure as a veterinary technician in Delaware, a candidate must have graduated from a two- to four-year program accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the predominant program approval entity established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A majority of vet techs nationwide hold two-year degrees. As proof of point, O*NET (2021)—a partner of the US Department of Labor—reported that 68 percent have associate degrees.

To get into an accredited veterinary technician program, admissions committees typically ask for the following from applicants:

  • Official high school transcripts with proof of specific course prerequisites (e.g., chemistry, biology, algebra, English)
  • Proof of health insurance and/or immunizations
  • Personal statement
  • Application fee

Some programs may call for additional requirements such as test scores, experience working with animals, letters of recommendation, or an interview (in-person or online).

There is currently one CVTEA-accredited vet tech program in the Blue Hen State. Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) offers an associate degree in veterinary technology at their Georgetown campus. This program requires completion of at least 73 credits and features classes such as veterinary anatomy & physiology; breeds & behavior; small animal health and disease; veterinary clinical pathology; veterinary nursing; pharmacology for vet techs; and more. Students have exposure to many varieties of animals and complete a vet tech internship during the seventh semester of the program.

One of the main metrics for program effectiveness is the first-time passing rate among graduates on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Delaware Technical Community College students had an impressive 90.3 percent pass rate between 2017 and 2020 for graduates on their first attempt which is about 20 percent higher than the national average.

Online Programs for Vet Techs in Delaware

Since there’s only one CVTEA-accredited vet tech program in DE, it may be more convenient to attend an online program. Particularly for residents of more rural regions of the state or those who have time commitments, enrolling in an accredited distance-based program may be ideal.

These programs involve a combination of online coursework and in-person practicums which can be completed at approved animal healthcare facilities close to a student’s home. Throughout the clinical training, a licensed veterinarian (or another qualified supervisor) typically sign off as vet tech candidates attain skills progressively.

Currently, there are ten CVTEA-accredited online programs. One of the more competitive online vet tech programs is available at Purdue University. This associate of applied science (AAS) in veterinary technology features 35 courses (45 credits) and 17 clinical mentorships. Classes include physiology for veterinary technicians; anatomy for vet techs; small animal nursing & health management; introduction to ophthalmology, dermatology & oncology; imaging for veterinary technicians; pharmacology; public & occupational health; and management topics.

Notably, 95.2 percent of Purdue’s online graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt between 2017 and 2020, and rates for on-campus students were 87.7 percent.

Another online associate degree in veterinary technology is available through the Colby Community College (CCC) of Kansas. The program is also offered on-campus. This school offers coursework in medical records & veterinary office skills; basic nutrition of domestic animals; veterinary immunology; hematology; parasitology; cytology; and small animal clinical procedures, to name a few. Between 2017 and 2020, 80 percent of CCC’s on-campus program graduates and 76.5 percent of online program graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt.

Finally, St. Petersburg College of Florida has an associate of science (AS) program in veterinary technology with classes such as animal nursing; medical terminology; veterinary office procedures; animal breeds & behavior; and avian & exotic pet medicine. This program begins in January, May, and August each year, and 82 percent of program graduates passed the VTNE on their first try between 2017 and 2020. Also, credits from this program can be applied to St. Petersburg’s four-year bachelor of applied science in veterinary technology.

To learn more about web-based programs in veterinary technology, please visit the accredited online vet tech programs page.

Job Outlook for Vet Techs in Delaware

In Delaware and nationally, the demand for qualified veterinary technicians is growing. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) anticipates a 16 percent increase in openings in this field around the country between 2019 and 2029, a figure that’s substantially higher than the average growth projected for all occupations in that time period (3.7 percent).

Additionally, the most recent figures from CareerOneStop (2021)—a data organization partnered with the US Department of Labor—indicate that veterinary technologists and technicians occupy a growing career sector for people with associate degrees in Delaware with an expected 10 percent increase between 2018 and 2028.

Where Do Vet Techs in Delaware Work?

Luckily for aspiring vet techs in the First State, there is a variety of opportunities in this field. In fact, these healthcare professionals can seek employment in a wide range of environments such as animal clinics, veterinary hospitals, kennels, farms, biomedical research facilities, rescue centers, public policy organizations, food inspection facilities, zoos, aquariums, and universities. While some vet techs in DE work typical business hours, others may be called upon to work evenings, weekends, or holidays to serve the needs of veterinary patients.

iHire veterinary posts vet tech job openings in DE. Indeed also posts positions for vet techs at locations such as First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden and Wilmington Animal Hospital. In short, there are ample opportunities in this field.

One way for a veterinary technician in DE to enhance his or her employment candidacy is to become a veterinary technician specialist (VTS). There are currently several academies approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) which offer professional credentialing in some of the subfields of veterinary technology such as critical care, anesthesia & analgesia, dentistry, equine nursing, zoological medicine, clinical pathology, dentistry, dermatology, animal behavior, and surgery. To qualify for credentialing, VTS candidates typically must submit the following:

  • An application
  • Proof of 1,000-10,000 hours in one’s specialty
  • Proof of continuing education (CE) relevant to the subfield
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Skills assessment
  • Portfolio with case logs
  • Passing score on a specialized exam

To learn more about how to become a VTS, please check out the main veterinary technician page.

Vet Tech Salary in Delaware

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2020) found an annual average salary of $37,860 for the 109,400 vet techs working around the country. In more detailed terms, the BLS reported the following salary percentiles for vet techs nationwide and in Delaware:

United States Delaware
Number of vet techs employed 109,490 400
Average annual salary $37,860 $34,570
10th percentile $25,520 $26,490
25th percentile $30,030 $28,780
50th percentile (median) $36,260 $33,070
75th percentile $43,890 $39,380
90th percentile $52,410 $47,160

Notably, these figures differed by source. PayScale (August 2021)—a site that aggregates self-reported salary data—found the following salary percentiles among its 3148 vet tech respondents:

United States (3,148 responding vet techs)

  • 10th percentile: $27,000
  • 50th percentile (median): $36,000
  • 90th percentile: $51,000

It’s important to note that Delaware’s cost of living is about average in relation to the other states. By illustration, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2021) found that DE ranked thirty-fourth nationwide in affordability, about average in most areas except groceries and transportation. This should be kept in mind when evaluating the salary prospects in the state.

Following is a comparison between veterinary technician and veterinary assistant salaries in Delaware:

VETERINARY CAREER DELAWARE JOBS SALARY DATA (BLS 2020))
Low Salary (10th %ile) MEDIAN SALARY (50TH %ILE) High Salary (90th %ile)
Vet Tech 400 $26,490 $33,070 $47,160
Vet Assistant 190 $21,420 $28,110 $39,060

Vet Tech Licensure in Delaware

As mentioned above, prior to becoming a veterinary technician in DE, candidates must seek licensure through the Delaware Board of Veterinary Medicine. The application to become a licensed vet tech (LVT) in DE requires the following:

  • Notarized application
  • Official transcripts from an AVMA-accredited (i.e., CVTEA-accredited) veterinary technology program
  • Official scores from the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
  • Application fee ($112)

These licenses are valid for two years and expire on July 31 of every even-numbered year. Delaware LVTs can renew their state licenses by submitting a renewal application, which includes documentation of 12 hours of qualifying continuing education (CE). Please note that CE requirements are prorated in the first cycle of licensure.

Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation

Aspiring veterinary technicians in Delaware are advised to verify the accreditation status of their programs prior to enrollment. Not only does this process help to establish a baseline of program quality in terms of faculty, curriculum, and student outcomes, but graduating from an accredited program is also a requirement for vet tech credentialing in Delaware and most states.

As mentioned in the programs section, the main accrediting body is the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a program-approval entity established by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The CVTEA evaluates a number of factors in its accreditation process, including:

  • Institutional accreditation
  • Student outcomes
  • School finances
  • Admissions processes
  • Curricula
  • Quality of facilities
  • Availability of student support & resources

For the complete overview of how vet tech programs become accredited, please check out the CVTEA page.

VET TECHS MUST BE LICENSED TO PRACTICE LICENSED VET TECHS ARE CALLED LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GRADUATE FROM AN AVMA-ACCREDITED PROGRAM PASS THE VTNE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Yes LVT Yes Yes N/A N/A
Jocelyn Blore (Chief Content Strategist)

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. When not writing about veterinary technology, nursing, engineering, and other career fields, she satirizes global politics and other absurdities at Blore’s Razor.