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How to become a veterinary assistant

Last checked October 25, 2026. Pay figures change; each one links to its source.

You can become a veterinary assistant with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. That is the typical path the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists for this job, with no degree. Certification, such as NAVTA's Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA), is a professional designation, not a state license. Some states set their own rules for assistant tasks or permits, so check yours before you start.

What a veterinary assistant does

Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and veterinary technicians with daily animal care. The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET profile lists tasks such as holding or restraining animals during procedures, watching animals recover from surgery and reporting changes to the veterinarian, cleaning kennels and exam rooms, and giving medication as a veterinarian prescribes.

Which clinical tasks assistants may do, and under what level of supervision, is set by each state. California and Pennsylvania rules, for example, bar assistants from diagnosing, prescribing and performing surgery. For the difference between the two roles, see vet tech vs vet assistant.

Do you need a license or certification?

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training as the typical way into the job. Vet techs, by contrast, usually need an associate's degree, and most states require them to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

Some states do regulate parts of an assistant's work. Two examples:

  • California: an assistant who obtains or administers controlled substances, for example by filling a prescription or having access to the locked drug cabinet, needs a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) from the California Veterinary Medical Board. California rules also bar assistants from tasks reserved for registered veterinary technicians, such as inducing anesthesia, dental extractions, suturing and applying casts or splints. See the California guide.
  • Pennsylvania: state rules list the tasks an assistant may do under direct veterinary supervision, such as dental cleanings and bandaging, and the tasks that need "immediate" supervision, with the veterinarian in sight and hearing range, such as inducing anesthesia. See the Pennsylvania guide.

NAVTA's 50-state review of practice acts and board rules found significant variation in how states regulate veterinary team members. Rules in your state may differ from both examples. Start from the state-by-state hub.

How to become a veterinary assistant, step by step

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education.
  2. Get comfortable around animals. Volunteering at a shelter or working in kennel or boarding roles can show employers you handle animals safely. This is common advice rather than a formal requirement.
  3. Apply for assistant jobs and learn on the job. BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as the typical training for this occupation.
  4. Check your state's rules. Find out which tasks assistants may do in your state and whether you need a permit for any of them, such as California's VACSP for controlled substances.
  5. Consider an AVA program. If you want a credential, complete a NAVTA-approved program and pass the AVA exam.
  6. Keep learning and plan your next step. Some assistants later train as veterinary technicians. See how to become a vet tech.

Veterinary assistant certification: NAVTA's AVA

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) describes the Approved Veterinary Assistant as "a nationally recognized designation" that NAVTA created. It is a professional designation, not a state license.

ItemWhat NAVTA lists
Who can take the examCandidates who complete a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program
Approved programsOver 65 in the United States and Canada. NAVTA lists online, high school campus and adult campus programs
Exam fee$100 per student, listed by NAVTA as of October 2026
How it is givenIn partnership with VetMedTeam, watched by an exam mentor such as a veterinarian, a credentialed technician or an instructor from the program
What you earnA certificate and the right to use the AVA designation
RenewalEvery two years, with at least 10 hours of veterinary continuing education

Program length and cost are set by each school. Check them with the program directly.

Veterinary assistant pay and job outlook

BLS reports a median annual wage of $38,150 in May 2025 for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers. O*NET, using the same BLS data, gives about $18.34 an hour. BLS counts both jobs together, so the figure includes lab animal caretakers.

BLS projects employment in this group to grow about 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, from 132,100 to 144,200 jobs, with about 23,200 openings a year on average.

For comparison, BLS reports a median of $47,380 a year for veterinary technologists and technicians in May 2025.

Moving up from assistant to vet tech

Veterinary technicians usually need a two-year associate's degree. The AVMA says most programs it accredits through its Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) lead to an associate's degree after two years. In most states, techs then pass the VTNE and apply for their state credential.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) says most jurisdictions require graduation from an accredited program before the VTNE. Some jurisdictions allow an on-the-job training route, and some offer an alternate route. Whether your assistant experience counts depends on your state. Read our VTNE guide and how to become a vet tech.

FAQ

Do you need a license to be a veterinary assistant?

BLS lists a high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training as the typical path, with no degree. Rules differ by state. Some states regulate specific tasks or require a permit, such as California's VACSP for handling controlled substances, so check your state's rules.

Is veterinary assistant certification required?

BLS does not list certification as part of the typical path. NAVTA's AVA is a professional designation, not a state license. You earn it by completing a NAVTA-approved program and passing its exam.

How long does it take to become a veterinary assistant?

You can start once you are hired, since BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. If you choose an AVA program first, the length depends on the school.

How much do veterinary assistants make?

The BLS median was $38,150 a year in May 2025, about $18.34 an hour. This figure also covers laboratory animal caretakers.

Can a veterinary assistant become a vet tech?

Yes. Most states expect you to finish an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program and pass the VTNE. Some states offer other routes, such as on-the-job training. See how to become a vet tech.

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