Veterinary Job Hub

What does a vet tech do?

Last checked November 5, 2026. Duties and rules come from the BLS, AVMA, NAVTA and state law; state rules differ, so each one links to its source.

A veterinary technician is the nursing and technical professional on the veterinary team, working under a licensed veterinarian and usually credentialed by the state. Vet techs monitor anesthesia, run lab tests, take x-rays, prepare patients and instruments for surgery, give prescribed medications and treatments, clean teeth and teach owners how to care for their animals. They cannot diagnose, prescribe or perform surgery.

What is a veterinary technician?

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) describes veterinary technicians as trained professionals who work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Most states credential them, and the title depends on the state: registered (RVT), licensed (LVT) or certified (CVT) veterinary technician, among others. Most techs finish a two-year program accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sums up the job in one line: techs "do medical tests that help diagnose animals' injuries and illnesses." The veterinarian makes the diagnosis. The tech gathers much of the information the diagnosis rests on and carries out the treatment plan. Some groups now call credentialed techs veterinary nurses; see veterinary nurse vs vet tech.

Vet tech duties: the job description

The BLS lists these typical duties for veterinary technologists and technicians:

  • Observe the behavior and condition of animals
  • Give nursing care or emergency first aid to recovering or injured animals
  • Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut hair
  • Restrain animals during exams or procedures
  • Give anesthesia and monitor the animal's response
  • Take x-rays and collect samples for lab tests, such as urinalyses and blood counts, and run those tests
  • Prepare animals and instruments for surgery
  • Give medications, vaccines and treatments a veterinarian prescribed
  • Collect and record case histories

In a clinic, the AVMA adds dental cleanings, assisting in surgery and educating clients. A real job posting will mix these with the clinic's own needs, such as client communication, records and inventory. You can compare live postings on our vet tech jobs page.

What a vet tech does day to day, by setting

The BLS says most techs work in private clinics and animal hospitals, and some work in laboratories, colleges and universities, and humane societies. In 2025, 89 percent of veterinary technologist and technician jobs were in veterinary services. The core skills stay the same across settings. The mix of work changes.

General practice

Many techs work here. A typical day moves between wellness and sick appointments, blood draws and lab work, vaccines and medications the veterinarian ordered, x-rays, and surgery and dental days. On surgery days the tech prepares the patient, induces and monitors anesthesia where state rules allow, and handles recovery. Client education fills the gaps: explaining discharge instructions, medications and home care.

Emergency and critical care

Emergency techs give emergency first aid and nursing care to injured and critically ill animals, monitor them closely and work beside the veterinarian while the patient is stabilized. The BLS notes techs may have to work evenings, weekends or holidays, and emergency work often falls in those hours. Emergency and critical care is one of the specialties NAVTA recognizes (see below).

Specialty and referral practice

In referral hospitals, techs work with a board-certified veterinary specialist in one area, such as surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, oncology, dentistry, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging or ophthalmology. The work is narrower and deeper than in general practice, and the BLS notes techs may specialize in disciplines such as dentistry, anesthesia, emergency and critical care, and zoological medicine. Techs in these roles can work toward a specialty credential.

Shelters and humane societies

Shelter techs care for animals coming into the shelter, give the vaccines and treatments a veterinarian ordered, and help on surgery days such as spay and neuter clinics. Euthanasia is part of the job in many shelters, and the BLS notes the work can be emotionally demanding, including witnessing abused animals. Some states set specific shelter rules. In New Hampshire, for example, a tech working for an animal shelter does not need direct veterinarian supervision to perform euthanasia there; see the New Hampshire guide.

Laboratory and research

The BLS says techs and technologists in research jobs make sure animals are handled carefully and treated humanely, and may help veterinarians or scientists on projects such as biomedical research. Working mostly in a lab, they may give medications, prepare tissue samples and record information. NAVTA recognizes a laboratory animal specialty academy with research nursing, surgery and anesthesia tracks.

Industry and other roles

Some credentialed techs leave clinical work for companies that serve the profession. Purdue University's veterinary technology program lists industry and veterinary supply sales among the jobs its graduates take, alongside humane societies, animal control and biomedical research. Teaching in a vet tech program is another path. These roles vary by employer, and no national data breaks them out.

What vet techs cannot do

The AVMA says vet techs cannot diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery, or do anything else a state's veterinary practice act reserves for veterinarians. Beyond that line, each state sets its own rules, and they differ a lot:

  • California lets a registered veterinary technician induce anesthesia, do dental extractions and suture skin, tissue under the skin and gums under a veterinarian's direct supervision. See the California guide.
  • Ohio bars registered veterinary technicians from diagnosing, prescribing, changing a veterinarian's orders or performing surgery (other than normal livestock management practices), though they may act as a surgical assistant. See the Ohio guide.
  • In several states, no state credential is needed to work as a tech at all, and the supervising veterinarian decides which tasks staff take on.

Check your state on the vet tech requirements by state hub before assuming a task is allowed. If you are weighing the tech role against the assistant role, see vet tech vs vet assistant.

Veterinary technician vs technologist

The difference is the degree. The BLS says technologists usually need a four-year bachelor's degree and technicians a two-year associate's degree. Technologists typically work in more advanced research-related jobs, while technicians generally work in private clinical practice under a veterinarian.

ItemVeterinary technicianVeterinary technologist
Typical degreeTwo-year associate's degree from an AVMA CVTEA-accredited programFour-year bachelor's degree in veterinary technology
Typical setting (BLS)Private clinical practice under a licensed veterinarianMore advanced research-related jobs, often under a scientist or veterinarian
Exam and credentialBLS says both typically must pass a credentialing exam and become registered, licensed or certified, depending on the state.
Pay dataBLS reports one combined occupation, so there is no separate national median for technologists

A few states name technologists in law. Kentucky law gives "veterinary technologist" the same meaning as "veterinary technician." Minnesota added a definition in 2026 for a person with a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology from an accredited four-year program, but that is a definition, not a separate license. See the Kentucky and Minnesota guides.

Vet tech specialties

A credentialed tech with years of focused experience can earn the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation. NAVTA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties recognizes the specialty academies, and each academy sets its own requirements, case logs and exam. NAVTA lists 16 academies:

  • Emergency and critical care
  • Dentistry
  • Internal medicine (cardiology, neurology, small animal, large animal and oncology)
  • Anesthesia and analgesia
  • Zoological medicine
  • Clinical practice (canine and feline, feline, exotic companion animal and production medicine)
  • Laboratory animal (research clinical nursing, research surgeon and research anesthetist)
  • Behavior
  • Clinical pathology
  • Dermatology
  • Equine nursing
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Nutrition
  • Ophthalmology
  • Surgery
  • Diagnostic imaging

The bar is high. The anesthesia and analgesia academy, for example, asks for an active tech credential, at least 8,000 hours and 4 years of work as a credentialed tech (6,000 of those hours in anesthesia), 40 hours of anesthesia continuing education, at least 50 case logs, case reports and a skills list before the exam. NAVTA says certified members may use the VTS logo, or the Veterinary Nurse Specialist (VNS) logo, with their specialty added.

Work conditions

  • Injury risk: the BLS says veterinary technologists and technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may be bitten, scratched or kicked, often while holding, cleaning or restraining an animal, and they need to be able to manage and lift animals.
  • Emotional load: the BLS notes the work may be physically or emotionally demanding, including helping euthanize animals and seeing abused animals.
  • Schedules: techs may work evenings, weekends or holidays. Emergency and 24-hour hospitals need techs on those shifts.
  • Job market: the occupation held about 131,400 jobs in 2025, and the BLS projects 9 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 13,400 openings a year.

Vet tech pay

The BLS reports a median of $47,380 a year for veterinary technologists and technicians in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent under $35,710 and the highest 10 percent over $63,180. See vet tech salary by state.

How to become a vet tech

In most states: finish an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program, pass the VTNE, then apply for your state's credential. Some states allow other routes. Our step-by-step guide covers programs, costs and timing: how to become a vet tech. To compare schools, see vet tech schools and online vet tech programs.

FAQ

What does a vet tech do on a typical day?

In a general practice, a vet tech draws blood and runs lab tests, takes x-rays, gives medications and vaccines a veterinarian ordered, prepares and monitors patients for surgery and dental cleanings, and explains home care to owners. The exact tasks depend on the clinic and on state rules.

Can vet techs diagnose or prescribe medication?

No. The AVMA says vet techs cannot diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery or do anything else a state's practice act reserves for veterinarians. They carry out treatment plans a veterinarian sets.

Do vet techs do surgery?

Vet techs do not perform surgery, but they prepare patients and instruments, give and monitor anesthesia and assist the surgeon. Some states let credentialed techs do specific procedures, such as suturing skin or dental extractions in California, under a veterinarian's supervision.

What is the difference between a veterinary technician and a veterinary technologist?

The degree. The BLS says technologists usually hold a four-year bachelor's degree and technicians a two-year associate's degree. Technologists more often work in research. Both typically pass a credentialing exam and hold a state credential where the state requires one.

What is a VTS in veterinary medicine?

VTS stands for Veterinary Technician Specialist, an advanced designation from a specialty academy recognized by NAVTA. NAVTA lists 16 academies, from emergency and critical care to dentistry and anesthesia, and each sets its own experience, case log and exam requirements.

Is being a vet tech physically demanding?

Yes. The BLS says veterinary technologists and technicians have one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation, from bites, scratches, kicks and lifting animals. The work can also be emotionally demanding.

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