Online vet tech programs: AVMA-accredited distance options compared
You can earn a vet tech degree online through an AVMA-accredited distance program, but no accredited program is fully online. You take classes remotely and complete supervised clinical work at a veterinary clinic near you, often one where you already work. The AVMA lists 13 accredited distance programs. Graduating from one qualifies you for the VTNE, the exam most states require for the vet tech credential.
What "online" means for a vet tech program
In an accredited distance program, the lectures, reading, homework and exams are online. The hands-on part is not. You practice and prove required skills, such as taking vital signs, assisting with surgery and running parasite tests, at a veterinary practice under a veterinarian or credentialed technician who acts as your mentor or preceptor. Program faculty then check your work, often through logs or videos you record.
The AVMA's accreditation standards define the distance model this way: student and instructor are not in the same place, students are evaluated by program staff, and the clinical facilities are not run by the school. The standards also say practical experiences should total at least 240 contact hours. Programs set their own rules above that, and they differ a lot:
- Work or volunteer hours. Blue Ridge Community College requires at least 20 hours a week in a veterinary hospital for all three years. St. Petersburg College requires 280 clinical hours each semester online students are enrolled.
- Externship blocks. Penn Foster uses two externships: 150 hours over 10 weeks, then 200 hours over 18 weeks.
- Task lists. Purdue uses 15 clinical mentorships built on lists of tasks rather than hours, done where you work or volunteer.
- Travel. Large animal and lab animal skills are hard to find at a small animal clinic, so several programs run short in-person labs. San Juan College holds a two-day lab in Waco, Texas; Murray State College and Colby Community College offer on-campus sessions.
Most programs expect you to find your own clinic. If you do not work in a practice yet, getting a job as a veterinary assistant first is a common route in. See vet assistant jobs.
Why AVMA accreditation matters
The American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) accredits vet tech programs, including distance ones. The AAVSB, which owns the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), accepts graduates of AVMA CVTEA-accredited programs for the exam in all jurisdictions. Other routes, such as on-the-job training, are accepted only in some states. Your state then sets its own credential rules on top of the exam; see the vet tech requirements by state.
Check a program's status in the AVMA directory, not only on the school's website. The AVMA uses several classifications, and graduates of programs on full, initial, probationary or voluntary terminal accreditation all count as graduates of an accredited program. The AVMA says probationary accreditation is not an adverse decision; it means the program has specific deficiencies it must fix within two years. Graduates of a program whose accreditation is withdrawn do not count.
AVMA-accredited online vet tech programs compared
The table lists every school with an AVMA-accredited distance option: the 13 on the AVMA's distance list, plus Blue Ridge Community College and Ashworth College, which the AVMA's main directory marks as having distance accreditation. Lengths, costs and clinical rules are what each school's own pages said on November 5, 2026. "Not stated" means we did not find it on the school's pages, not that it does not exist.
| School | Credential | Length | Cost (as listed) | Clinical hours | Federal aid | AVMA status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | Bachelor of Science (Online Modality) | Four-year B.S. | App State Online undergraduate rate, fall 2026 and spring 2027: $209.21 per credit (NC residents) or $995.04 per credit (non-residents), tuition plus fees. This is the general App State Online undergraduate rate; we have not confirmed that it applies to the veterinary technology B.S. | 400 hours of clinical experience at veterinary clinics or other animal health settings; general education must be finished first. The school says the program prepares students for licensure in North Carolina | Not stated on the pages we opened | Initial accreditation |
| Ashworth College | Associate of Applied Science | Not applicable: closed to new students | Not applicable: closed to new students | Not applicable: admissions moratorium since May 1, 2024 (voluntary terminal accreditation) | Not applicable | Voluntary terminal accreditation (program closing) |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science | Part-time, 3 years, summer start | Not stated | Work in a veterinary hospital at least 20 hours a week as a preceptorship for all 3 years, plus campus labs about 3 times a semester. Out-of-state students only if their preceptorship is in Virginia | Yes (college financial aid page covers the FAFSA) | Full accreditation |
| Colby Community College | Associate of Applied Science | 82 credits (22 to 26 prerequisite credits plus 60 program credits); completion time not stated | ColbyConnect online rate 2026-27, per credit with fees: $161 Kansas, $181 regional (CO, MO, NE, OK, TX), $215 other states; program courses have extra fees | From the second term you need a veterinary hospital for mentorships and clinical courses; you video yourself doing skills under a veterinarian or credentialed tech and faculty review the videos | Yes (college financial aid page covers the FAFSA) | Full accreditation |
| Dallas College (formerly Cedar Valley College) | Associate of Applied Science | 2 years full time; many distance students take about 3 years part time | Tuition and textbooks for the distance program: $5,940 Dallas County, $10,140 out of county, $15,000 out of state (program total in the school's distance information packet, file dated October 2024) | Most courses require you to work in an approved veterinary hospital with a preceptor (veterinarian or credentialed tech) who helps 1 to 2 hours a week | Yes (college financial aid page covers federal grants, loans and the FAFSA) | Full accreditation |
| Great Falls College/Montana State University | Associate of/in Applied Science | 5 semesters, including a one-semester prerequisite certificate | Not stated | Clinical skills at an approved veterinary partner you secure, plus travel to assessment sites and possibly Preston, Idaho. Not open to out-of-state students at this time | Yes (FAFSA school code 009314) | Initial accreditation |
| Jefferson State Community College | Associate of Applied Science | Two-year program | Less than $15,000 for the two-year program, as the school states it | Work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week at a veterinary facility in Alabama; occasional travel for large animal and lab animal skills. Alabama residents and workers only | Yes (college financial aid page covers the FAFSA) | Full accreditation |
| Murray State College | Associates in Applied Science | 2-year course sequence for distance students; core must be finished within 6 years | Not stated | A pre-approved clinic (OCCI site) chosen before lab courses; optional in-person labs at the end of each fall and spring semester for horses, cattle, lab animals and birds | Yes (FAFSA school code 003158) | Full accreditation |
| Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture | Associate of Applied Science | As little as two years; 61 online program credits plus 13 transfer credits | $163 per credit for all students in 2026-27, plus a $24 per credit academic fee | 150 essential skills at a veterinary clinic under a veterinarian or LVT; a signed agreement with a veterinarian is required before classes | Yes (college financial aid page covers the FAFSA) | Full accreditation |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science | Full time 2 years or part time 3 years | Not stated | Work at a veterinary facility an average of at least 20 hours a week (part time) or 10 hours (full time); you need a veterinary mentor before applying. Special rules for students outside Virginia | Not stated on the pages we opened | Full accreditation |
| Penn Foster College | Associate in Science, Bachelor of Applied Science | 4 semesters, 66 credits, self-paced; about 9 months a semester on a fast track, 13 months on average | First semester $2,039 at list price ($1,529 paid in full under an offer ending November 10, 2026); up to $144 per credit | Two externships you arrange at an approved site: 150 hours over 10 weeks, then 200 hours over 18 weeks | No (the school says it does not accept federal financial aid) | Full accreditation (main AVMA directory); the AVMA distance page shows probationary accreditation (Standard 8a) |
| Purdue University | Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing | Students take an average of four years | $270 per credit for all distance students, any state; $227 per credit at partner practices | 15 task-based clinical mentorships at a practice where you work or volunteer, with a veterinarian or credentialed tech as mentor | Yes (most students need at least 6 credits a semester) | Full accreditation |
| San Juan College | Associate of Applied Science | Part time, 1 to 4 courses a semester; start any semester | $61 per credit (New Mexico residents) or $195 per credit (non-residents), plus a flat general fee each semester | You find a clinic near you to serve as your clinical site under an approved preceptor; large animal skills at a 2-day Fast Track Lab in Waco, Texas, or a large animal site | Yes (federal school code 002660) | Full accreditation |
| St. Petersburg College | Associate in Science, Bachelor of Applied Science | Set by the academic pathway; can be stretched to eight semesters with the director's permission | Estimated total program cost $19,573.90 for the A.S. | 280 hours each semester (about 20 to 25 hours a week) at a veterinary facility under a credentialed mentor, by agreement you arrange | Not stated on the pages we opened | Full accreditation |
| YTI Career Institute | Associate in Specialized Technology | As few as 20 months | Not stated | Instruction and simulated labs online, plus two externships at an approved veterinary hospital near you | Yes (the school offers FAFSA help and says aid is available to those who qualify) | Full accreditation |
Four programs on the list are not open to most students. Ashworth College stopped admitting students on May 1, 2024 and points applicants to Penn Foster. Jefferson State Community College takes only students who live and work in Alabama, and Great Falls College does not take out-of-state students. Blue Ridge admits out-of-state students only if their preceptorship is in Virginia.
VTNE pass rates the programs publish
AVMA standards require accredited programs to report their VTNE results, and say a program's three-year first-time pass rate should meet or exceed the national average. Purdue lists the national average as 67.4% for January 2023 to December 2025. A small number of test takers can swing a rate, so look at the candidate count too. Some colleges report one figure for campus and distance students together.
| Program | Three-year first-time pass rate | First-time candidates | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | 93% (campus and distance together) | 112 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Colby Community College (distance) | 88.57% | 11 | Reporting period listed as 2025 |
| San Juan College | 88.42% | 95 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 83.1% (campus and distance together) | 71 | 2022 to 2024 |
| St. Petersburg College | 82% (campus and distance together) | 172 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Purdue University (distance) | 81.4% | 113 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Penn Foster College | 70.5% | 1,400 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Dallas College | 65.4% (campus and distance together) | 205 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Murray State College | 58% (campus and distance together) | 19 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture | 48.5% (campus and distance together) | 38 | 2023 to 2025 |
| YTI Career Institute | 24.55% | 81 | 2023 to 2025 |
| Jefferson State Community College | No three-year figure; 50% in 2023, 60% in 2024, 73.33% in 2025 | Not stated | 2023 to 2025 |
Appalachian State University and Great Falls College are newly accredited and did not list a pass rate. Ashworth College is closed to new students. Rates come from each school's own outcomes page, linked in the sources.
How long online vet tech school takes
Most accredited distance programs lead to a two-year associate degree, but many students take longer because they study part time while working. Dallas College says students can finish in two years full time, and many of its distance students take three. Purdue says its distance students take an average of four years. Penn Foster lists four self-paced semesters at about 9 months each on a fast track and 13 months on average. Appalachian State's online program is a four-year bachelor's degree.
How much online vet tech programs cost
Costs are listed in different units, so compare total program cost, not one semester. A few examples from the schools' own pages:
- Per credit, same for every state: Purdue charges $270 per credit to all distance students. The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture charges $163 per credit to all students in 2026-27, plus a $24 per credit fee.
- Per credit, by residence: San Juan College charges $61 per credit to New Mexico residents and $195 to non-residents, plus a general fee each semester. Colby Community College's 2026-27 online rate, with fees, is $161 per credit for Kansas residents, $181 for nearby states including Texas, and $215 for other states.
- Per semester: Penn Foster lists $2,039 for the first semester at full price.
- Whole program: Dallas College's distance packet lists $5,940 for Dallas County residents and $15,000 for out-of-state students, tuition and textbooks included. St. Petersburg College estimates $19,573.90 for its A.S.
Budget too for books, uniforms, vaccinations, travel to required labs and the VTNE fee. After you graduate, the U.S. median pay for veterinary technologists and technicians was $47,380 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See vet tech salary for pay by state.
Online vet tech programs that accept FAFSA
Most of the accredited distance programs are at public or nonprofit colleges whose financial aid pages take the FAFSA, including Blue Ridge, Colby, Dallas College, Great Falls, Jefferson State, Murray State, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and San Juan College. Purdue says its distance students may be eligible for aid, and most need at least six credits a semester to qualify for federal aid. YTI Career Institute offers FAFSA help. Penn Foster says it does not accept federal financial aid, including loans and Pell Grants; it offers monthly payment plans instead.
A college can accept the FAFSA while a specific schedule does not qualify, for example if you take too few credits. Ask the financial aid office whether the vet tech distance program, at the pace you plan, is eligible.
How to choose an online vet tech program
- Accreditation status. Confirm the program is on the AVMA directory today, and note whether it is full, initial or probationary.
- Whether your state accepts it. Read your state's rule on the state-by-state hub, then check the school's professional licensure page for your state. Some programs only take students from their own state.
- Clinical-site rules. Ask how many hours a week you must spend in a clinic, whether you must be employed there, who can be your mentor and whether you must travel for large animal or lab animal skills.
- Total cost. Add tuition for every credit or semester, fees, books, travel and the VTNE.
- VTNE first-time pass rate. Compare the three-year rate and the number of candidates behind it.
- Federal aid. If you need it, confirm the program is eligible and what course load it requires.
- Pace and length. Self-paced programs give flexibility; cohort programs give structure and fixed start dates.
Online vet tech programs for Texas students
Texas licenses vet techs as Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) through the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. The license is optional for working in a clinic, but you need it to use the LVT title. To qualify you must graduate from an AVMA-accredited program; the Board does not accept alternate routes. Then you pass the VTNE and the Board's Texas jurisprudence exam. Details are in our Texas vet tech requirements guide.
Texas students can look at these distance options, based on what each school says:
- Dallas College, Lancaster, Texas. Its distance packet lists $5,940 for Dallas County residents, $10,140 for other Texas residents and $15,000 for out-of-state students. You must work in an approved hospital with a preceptor.
- San Juan College (New Mexico) holds its two-day large animal Fast Track Lab in Waco, Texas.
- Colby Community College (Kansas) charges Texas students its regional online rate.
- Purdue University charges the same per-credit rate in every state, and Penn Foster enrolls students across the United States and Canada.
Jefferson State (Alabama only), Great Falls College (Montana only) and Blue Ridge (Virginia preceptorship) do not fit most Texas students, and Ashworth is closed. Before you enroll anywhere, confirm the school lists Texas on its professional licensure page. To study on campus instead, see vet tech schools in Texas.
California and Florida students
No accredited distance program is based in California. California students looking at a distance program from another state should first check the California guide and the campus options in California vet tech schools.
In Florida, St. Petersburg College offers its A.S. fully online, with clinical practicums where you live. Florida has no state vet tech license; the CVT credential there is voluntary. See the Florida guide and Florida vet tech schools.
FAQ
Is Penn Foster AVMA accredited?
Yes. Penn Foster's vet tech program is AVMA CVTEA-accredited, but on November 5, 2026 the AVMA's distance program list showed it on probationary accreditation over Standard 8a, while the AVMA's main directory showed full accreditation. The AVMA counts graduates of probationary programs as graduates of an accredited program.
Can you do vet tech school completely online?
No. Accredited distance programs put coursework online, but you must complete supervised hands-on skills at a veterinary practice, and some programs also require short in-person labs.
Are there online vet tech programs that accept FAFSA?
Yes. Most accredited distance programs are at colleges that take the FAFSA, including Purdue, Dallas College, San Juan College and Colby Community College. Penn Foster does not accept federal financial aid.
How long does online vet tech school take?
An associate degree is designed for about two years, but many distance students study part time and take three to four years. Purdue says its distance students average four years.
Can I take an online vet tech program if I live in Texas?
Yes, if the program is AVMA-accredited and accepts Texas students. Dallas College, Purdue, Penn Foster, San Juan College and Colby Community College are among the options; Jefferson State, Great Falls College and Blue Ridge limit enrollment to their own state or region.
What is the best online vet tech school?
It depends on your state, budget and clinic access. Compare accreditation status, total cost, clinical-site rules, published VTNE pass rate and federal aid eligibility in the tables above.
Sources
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Distance education programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA
- AVMA: Veterinary technology programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA
- AVMA: Programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA (general statistics)
- AVMA CVTEA: Classification of accreditation
- AVMA CVTEA: Accreditation standards and guidelines
- American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB): VTNE Candidate Information Handbook
- Appalachian State University: Online B.S. in Veterinary Technology and tuition and fees
- Ashworth College: Veterinary Technician program
- Blue Ridge Community College: Veterinary Technology Distance Education, program outcomes and financial aid
- Colby Community College: Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing Program, reporting to the community, tuition and fees and financial aid
- Dallas College: Veterinary Technology, distance education information packet and financial aid
- Great Falls College Montana State University: Veterinary Technician program and financial aid
- Jefferson State Community College: Veterinary Technology, program outcomes and financial aid application process
- Murray State College: Veterinary Nursing Online, VTNE pass rates, 2023 to 2025 and financial aid
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: Veterinary Technology Online, degree options and pass rates, tuition and fees and financial aid
- Northern Virginia Community College: Veterinary Technology and catalog
- Penn Foster College: Veterinary Technician Associate Degree and tuition and payment plans
- Purdue University: Veterinary Technology Distance Learning FAQ, learn at your pace and VTNE scores
- San Juan College: Veterinary Technology AAS (Online), clinical requirements, tuition and fees and financial aid
- St. Petersburg College: Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree
- YTI Career Institute: Veterinary Technician program and FAFSA assistance
- Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners: Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
- Texas Secretary of State: 22 TAC Chapter 571, Licensing
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
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