Veterinary Technician Schools in Utah

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Utah is well-known around the world for its spectacular natural beauty. From Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion and Moab, it is a destination for both U.S. and international hikers, campers, and wilderness photographers. As a state that values its wilderness and its people, Utah of course also values its animals, making it an attractive choice for aspiring veterinary technicians.

It is interesting to note that unlike many states, Utah does not use its state authority to regulate veterinary technicians. This means that technically, it is possible to start work as a vet tech right out of high school, with no formal training. However, this is not necessarily the ideal course of action for someone who wants to find a good job and have a future in this career.

For serious vet techs, it is a good idea to start with formal education and training before jumping into a clinical setting. Students should look for programs accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the accrediting body of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Luckily, there is one CVTEA-accredited program and several online programs available to residents of the Beehive State who want to pursue this rewarding career.

During the course of their education, or when looking for initial employment opportunities, vet techs in Utah may want to avail themselves of the Utah Society of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (USVTA). Through an active Facebook page, this group allows vet techs and students in Utah to connect to other professionals and to find jobs through networking and job postings. The Utah Veterinary Medicine Association (UVMA) may also be able to assist.

Read on for information about vet tech programs in Utah, employment and salary statistics, and how to become a vet tech in Utah

School Website main address online program Avma Accredited
Broadview College 1902 W 7800 S, West Jordan, Utah, 84088NoYes

Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Utah (UT)

The state of Utah has one American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program in operation with an on-campus option. However, students do have the option of choosing an online program if they prefer.

Broadview College is the only CVTEA-accredited, on-campus program currently operating in Utah. Broadview offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology. The program takes 21 months to complete and encompasses 94 credit-hours with a combination of 30 general education credits and 64 vet tech course credits.

The school has posted a note on its website saying it is no longer accepting new students into the veterinary technology program

The program provides training in all of the fundamentals and basic vet tech information that are critical for aspiring veterinary technicians to learn. The programs covers such subjects as:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Animal anatomy
  • Small animal emergency care
  • Hematology
  • Medical terminology
  • Imaging
  • Physiology of animals
  • Surgical assisting

Students gain hands-on experience caring for various animals through labs, and complete a veterinary externship and a career capstone course. The school’s accreditation status also means that graduates should be prepared to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) when they finish, and the program includes a VTNE review course with mock exams.

Students may want to consider CVTEA-accredited distance learning programs as well, considering the status of Broadview’s program.

Online Vet Tech Programs for Utah Students

Many online programs, such as that offered by Penn Foster College, offer training for the field through distance learning. The online program can even help to pair students with local clinics to receive hands-on training. Penn Foster College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology with courses such as clinical parasitology for vet techs; anesthesia; surgical nursing; clinical pathology; radiography; and more. The VTNE pass rate for Penn Foster’s online program was 71 percent from 2017 to 2020.

Another such program is offered by San Juan College of New Mexico, which provides a Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDLP). This associate of applied science (AAS) degree program requires four to six hours of study per week and includes courses such as vet anesthesia and surgical assisting; veterinary business procedures; small animal disease and medical care; vet diagnostic imaging; vet clinical pathology; and vet nursing care.

In addition to online classes, students must enroll in Off-Campus Clinical Instruction (OCCI) sessions to complete required hands-on training. The three-year first time pass rate for the VTNE of San Juan graduates was 89.8 percent between 2017 and 2020.

For more information on distance-based learning options, please visit our online vet tech programs page.

How to Become a Vet Tech in Utah (UT)

Not every veterinary technician follows the same path to the career, but there are some prerequisites to finding employment in the field. The following are the most common steps that new vet techs take on their way to their first job.

Step 1: Graduate High School (Four Years) – According to CareerOneStop, an employment statistics site 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, which means it is virtually required.

Current high school students who are working towards a career as a vet tech should be sure to focus on classes like biology and chemistry to have the best chance of succeeding at the next level. High school students may also find it useful and inspirational to volunteer at a local animal shelter or veterinary office.

Step 2: Complete Accredited Vet Tech Program (Two to Four Years) – Because vet techs in Utah are not required to be licensed, there is no strict requirement that they attend a vet tech program. However, it will be much easier to find employment for those who can point to thorough training in the basics of the job, which means applying for and attending a vet tech program. Most programs last just two years and culminate in an associate degree.

While accreditation is also not required, those programs that have earned programmatic accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA), will be able to offer the best educational opportunities.

Step 3: Take the VTNE (Timeline Varies) – In states where licensure is offered, the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) is a prerequisite. In Utah, this test is optional but does serve to demonstrate the commitment and knowledge of the new vet tech who is able to prepare for and pass the exam.

Strong Demand for Vet Techs in Utah

According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, the overall demand for vet techs is expected to grow by 16% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than the 4 percent average for all occupations. In Utah, however, growth is expected to be much higher. In fact, the demand for veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow by 71.5 percent between 2018 and 2028 (Projections Central 2020) and is currently the fourth fastest-growing occupation in Utah for those with an associate’s degree (CareerOneStop).

From a perspective of salary, the 110,650 vet techs in the U.S. make, on average, $36,670 per year (BLS 2019). The 1,220 vet techs working in Utah in 2019 made, on average, $30,610 per year. Here’s a comparison of the detailed salary percentiles in UT and across the country:

United States Utah
Number of vet tech professionals employed 110,650 1,220
Annual mean wage $36,670 $30,610
10th percentile $24,530 $21,710
25th percentile $29,080 $25,830
50th percentile (median) $35,320 $30,270
75th percentile $42,540 $35,430
90th percentile $51,230 $39,220

Averaging salaries across the state, the median pay for vet techs is a bit lower than it is for all states in the U.S. This is something to keep in mind when considering vet tech positions in Utah, which is 26th in national affordability, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2020), boasting particular savings in housing, utilities, and health compared to the national averages.

Vet techs in Utah work in private veterinary practice clinics and surgical centers, animal shelters, and educational facilities, and 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 aforementioned USVTA offer the opportunity for techs to meet other veterinary professionals, learn about continuing education training and establish a sense of community within the profession.

Veterinary Career Utah Jobs Salary Data (BLS, 2019)
Low Salary (10th %ile) MEDIAN SALARY (50TH %ILE) High Salary (90th %ile)
Vet Tech 1,220 $21,710 $30,270 $39,220
Vet Assistant 300 $17,270 $23,340 $31,490

Accreditation & Certification in Utah for Vet Techs

Currently, there is no licensing or regulation of vet techs in Utah.

Those who are in the state do not have to have any license if they want to work as a veterinary technician. This means that even those who do not have training could become a vet tech theoretically. However, most of the animal clinics, hospitals, and other facilities throughout the state want to make sure they are hiring the best quality techs for the job. They may hire those who prove themselves through training and education and who take and pass the VTNE. Just because it is not necessary to have training in Utah does not mean you should forego it.

Take the time to look for a qualified two-year school that offers the proper training, and that has AVMA accreditation. This accreditation ensures you can sit for the national exam when the time comes. Although there is no regulatory board in Utah, it is still important to have training. You can use your transcripts and test score to help land a job in one of the clinics or animal hospitals in the state. Consider the prospect of hiring from the point of view of the clinic. If two candidates come into the clinic to apply for the same job, chances are they will hire the person who has the schooling and training simply because it can mean less training on the job.

Becca Brewer, MEd (Writer)

Becca Brewer is building a better future on a thriving earth by healing herself into wholeness, divesting from separation, and walking the path of the loving heart. Previously to her journey as an adventurer for a just, meaningful, and regenerative world, Becca was a formally trained sexuality educator with a master of education.