Veterinary Technician Schools in Maine

Demand for Vet Techs in Maine

In Maine and other states, the career is bright for people in the veterinary technology field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) expects veterinary technologist and technician openings nationwide to grow 21 percent between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average growth projected for all occupations during that time (3 percent).

Older data from Projections Central (2024) predicts that openings for veterinary technicians and technologists in Maine are expected to grow at a lower rate (3.8 percent) than what’s anticipated nationally between 2020 and 2030.

Where Do Vet Techs in Maine Work?

Veterinary technicians in ME may seek employment opportunities at several veterinary environments offering animal healthcare such as farms, veterinary hospitals, kennels, specialty animal clinics, food inspection organizations, sanctuaries, rescue centers, biomedical facilities, zoological research institutes, laboratories, aquariums, parks, wildlife centers, and governmental regulatory groups.

While some professionals in this field might work traditional business hours, others might be called to work holidays, weekends, or evenings to serve the needs of veterinary patients.
As further proof of the growing market for vet tech workers in ME, an analysis of common job post websites yielded some promising results. By illustration, Indeed (April 2024) posted job openings for vet techs at places such as Mission Veterinary Hospital (offering a sign-on bonus), Sacopee Veterinary Clinic, Back Cove Animal Hospital, Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, The Jackson Laboratory, and others. Monster (April 2024) had an additional posting in ME at Kittery Animal Hospital.

One way in which ME veterinary technicians can stand out is by becoming veterinary technician specialists (VTS). The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) recognizes several subfields of veterinary technology, including equine science, dermatology, clinical pathology, laboratory animals, zoological medicine, anesthesia, and dentistry.
To learn more about the VTS pathways, check out the vet tech careers page.

How to Become a Licensed Vet Tech (LVT) in Maine

Here are common steps to become a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) in Maine:

• Step 1: Graduate high school (four years). According to CareerOneStop, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, just 2 percent of veterinary technicians in the U.S. have less than a high school education. High school students that know what career they want to pursue should pay close attention to classes such as biology and chemistry, which will be helpful in further studies and future work. Students may also find it useful and inspirational to volunteer at a local animal shelter or veterinary office.
• Step 2: Complete an accredited vet tech program (two to four years). Vet techs in Maine must complete a vet tech program before they can apply for licensure. Approved programs must be “certified according to the standards adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities or an equivalent program, as determined by the board, and who has passed an examination prescribed by the board.”
• Step 3: Take the VTNE (timeline varies). The Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) is a prerequisite for licensure as a vet tech in Maine. Exam scores should be sent directly to the Board of Veterinary Medicine and reported on the licensure application.
• Step 4: Apply for vet tech licensure in Maine (timeline varies). After completing steps one through four, vet techs are eligible to apply for licensure in the state of Maine. License applicants must submit a completed application along with an application fee of $35 and criminal background check fee of $21. Upon approval, the license will be emailed to the vet tech. Veterinary technicians must renew their license annually for a fee of $50.

Professional networking and development is important for veterinary technicians who are just starting out. Groups such as the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA) and local organizations like the Maine Veterinary Medicine Association offer the opportunity for techs to meet other veterinary professionals, learn about continuing education training, and establish a sense of community within the profession.

How Much Do Vet Techs Make in Maine?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maine currently employs 810 veterinary technicians (BLS May 2022). Vet techs in Maine work in private veterinary practice, animal shelters, and educational facilities.

In the U.S, the overall demand for vet techs nationally is expected to grow by 21 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average of all occupations (3 percent). Things are not quite as optimistic in Maine specifically, but demand in the state is still expected to grow by 4 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to CareerOneStop. This growth rate means an additional 60 jobs for vet techs in Maine.

According to the BLS (May 2022), here is how salaries in Maine compare to average vet tech salaries across the nation:

Something important to keep in mind when considering becoming a vet tech in Maine is cost of living. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023), Maine is the 37th most affordable state in the U.S. This may explain why entry-level salaries for vet techs in Maine come in higher than the average, as a response to helping vet techs afford the relatively high cost of living.

Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Maine

Finding the right school in Maine is vital to become a veterinary technician. For licensure purposes, students should attend a program that boasts American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation. This accreditation ensures that a school provides a quality vet tech education to its students that prepares them to begin their professional lives. In Maine, there are two vet techs programs with AVMA accreditation.

The University of Maine at Augusta offers both an AVMA-accredited associate of science and a bachelor of science (BS) degree in veterinary technology at the Bangor campus. The school has had full accreditation from the AVMA since 2002. Students gain training in many areas, including animal care and handling, mammalian anatomy and physiology, clinical lab techniques, radiology, parasitology, and pharmacology.

In addition to labs throughout the program, students have two externships during their final semester. They can complete both at a clinic, or do one at a clinic and one at a laboratory. This gives graduates the hands-on experience they need to begin their careers, as well as important professional contacts for future employment. Facilities for hands-on learning include labs, kennels, a surgical suite, and a radiological suite.

The UMA has a traveling large animal laboratory that covers practice with equine, sheep, goats, bovine, and pigs. The program stresses values such as compassion for animals and their owners, as well as animal and client psychology. Graduates of this program had a first-time pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) of 67.7 percent between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Augusta, ME
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: AAS degree 24 months; BS degree 48 months

The other Maine program that has been accredited by the AVMA is at York County Community College in Wells, Maine. The two-year YCCC program culminates in an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. Students may begin the program in fall, spring, or summer; however, entering in spring or summer may extend the length of the program.

Students learn through a combination of classroom instruction, labs, and external partnerships and clinical practicums. Courses include animal nutrition; veterinary pharmacology; clinical methods; laboratory animal medicine; large animal management; veterinary imaging and dental; veterinary clinical pathology; and more. Learning outcomes include effective oral, written, and electronic communication skills, knowledge of proper medical terminology, demonstration of ethical and responsible behavior, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Between 2020 and 2023 York County reported a 59.46 percent VTNE first-time pass rate.

• Location: Wells, ME
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Accredited Online Vet Tech Programs for Maine Students

Some aspiring veterinary technicians in Maine may be unable to attend courses in person. Fortunately, technology makes online learning accessible, and some great online schools are ready to serve students in Maine.

One of the popular options is San Juan College. The college has full AVMA accreditation, and offers students an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. Vet tech courses are 12 weeks long, and general education courses last 16 weeks. Students can begin the program in January, May, or August of each year.

Courses include vet diagnostic imaging; vet business procedures; vet clinical pathology; vet anesthesia and surgical assisting; vet nursing care; small animal disease and medical therapeutics; and more. In order to demonstrate their knowledge of the AVMA requirements, students create video portfolios of learned skills completed under supervision of approved clinical and preceptorship. San Juan College vet tech graduates had an impressive 84.62 percent first-time pass rate on the VTNE exam between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Farmington, NM
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Higher Learning Commission
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Another option is Penn Foster. The school has full accreditation and also offers students an associate of applied science (AAS) degree. Students learn about animal anatomy, animal care for large and small animals, and more.

It is important to note that students taking online courses will still need to demonstrate real world skills through externships and other clinical experiences in order to find employment. Penn Foster graduates had an average first-time pass rate on the VTNE of 78.2 percent between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Scottsdale, AZ
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 to 24 months

Requirements for Vet Tech Licensure in Maine & Program Accreditation

Before veterinary technicians can apply for professional licensure, they need to meet certain requirements set forth by the Maine Board of Veterinary Medicine. They must first complete their degree at a school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

After graduation, or when they are nearing graduation, students need to take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam, which is an exam that tests their basic vet tech knowledge, and have those results submitted to the licensing board. After passing the exam, they will apply to the board for their license. This license needs to be reviewed and renewed each year on September 30.

In Maine, there are no continuing education requirements for vet techs. However, it is still in the best interest of practicing vet techs to keep up with the latest changes and new technologies in the field to advance in their careers. Vet techs can look for courses to take or seminars to attend throughout the country. Even reading veterinary journals and maintaining a professional network of other vet techs and veterinarians can help in this pursuit of knowledge.

As mentioned above, the vet tech schools in Maine chosen for training need to be approved and AVMA-CVTEA accredited. Before the AVMA grants accreditation, it looks at a school program to make sure it meets or surpasses expected requirements. Some of the variables the AVMA considers during the accreditation process include:

• Admissions
• Curriculum
• Facility
• Finances
• Informational resources