Veterinary Technician Schools in Florida

AVMA-Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Florida

Students have many options with seven vet tech programs in Florida accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as of January 2025. Following is a list of schools in alphabetical order with some details about each program.

Eastern Florida State College

Eastern Florida State College (formerly Brevard Community College) in Cocoa, FL, offers an associate of science (AS) degree in veterinary nursing (formerly known as veterinary technology). Students complete at least two years of courses which include clinical practice under supervision both at the college and at external clinical sites. Graduates of this program will be qualified to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

The curriculum of this 73-credit program includes courses such as principles of nutrition for veterinary technicians; small animal diseases and pharmacology; large animal clinical and nursing skills; animal physiology; veterinary surgical nursing; emergency medicine for animals; and much more.

The program is offered both full and part-time and there is a limit of 25 students accepted into the full-time program. EFSC boasted a first-time pass rate on the VTNE of 94.12 percent between 2021 and 2024. Notably, Eastern Florida State College also offers a three-semester veterinary assisting certificate program which can either be taken as a full-time, stand-alone college credit certificate or as part of the veterinary nursing AS program.

• Location: Cocoa, FL
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University (FAMU) offers a four-year veterinary technology degree program that trains students to provide medical and non-medical support to veterinarians. The program emphasizes small animal medicine, large animal, food animal, and regulatory medicine.

During the program’s first two years, students concentrate on core science requirements. In the final two years, students will apply veterinary concepts at the FAMU Animal Health Complex in Quincy, Florida, and at local clinics and animal facilities. The FAMU facility is located on 260 acres and houses cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, and goats. In 2016, a new facility to house a new surgical suite, prep room, anatomy lab, and small animal holding was completed.

Courses in this 120-credit program include veterinary medical terminology; animal anatomy; zoonotic diseases; microbiology; veterinary radiology for tech; animal disease and prevention; and many more. The FAMU Veterinary Technology Program has strong affiliations with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Florida veterinary technician association, state diagnostic labs, and other regulatory agencies, which provide opportunities for FAMU students to gain knowledge in alternative careers in veterinary medicine, and opportunities to complete externships at these sites.

The FAMU Veterinary Technology program received initial accreditation from AVMA in October 2013. The VTNE first-time pass rate between 2021 and 2024 at FAMU was 47 percent.

• Location: Tallahassee, FL
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College of Plant City—just outside of Tampa—provides a two-year associate of science (AS) degree in veterinary technology that consists of 73 credits. The program is very hands-on and can be completed in two years (five terms). Hillsborough prepares students for work in a variety of environments such as private clinics, humane societies, and biomedical research labs, among others. Its mission statement summarizes the program outcome goals which include offering superior instruction, innovative technology, and plenty of empirical, hands-on experience for its students to prepare them for their careers.

Courses include general education credits and animal anatomy; animal physiology; large animal diseases; large animal clinical and nursing skills; medicine of laboratory animals; small animal nursing; small animal breeds and behavior; pharmacology for veterinary technicians; and more. Lab and work experience courses are abundant throughout the program experience. Hillsborough graduates enjoyed an 94 percent first-time pass rate on the VTNE (2020 to 2023).

• Location: Plant City, FL
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Miami-Dade College

Miami-Dade College provides a scenic medical campus that hosts its six-semester associate of science (AS) program in veterinary technology. Students garner 400 hours of clinical exposure and enjoy comprehensive coursework in classes such as animal anatomy; large animal clinic and nursing skills; pharmacology for veterinary technicians; avian and exotic pet medicine; animal lab procedures; large animal diseases; small animal nursing; and several more. Some courses are available online and general education courses for the degree may be taken at the nearest Miami Dade College campus.

Program-specific courses for vet techs are then taken at their Medical Campus in Miami, FL. Miami-Dade College students had an impressive first-time pass rate on the VTNE of 83 percent (2021 to 2024).

• Location: Miami, FL
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months or more

Pensacola State College

Pensacola State College located in Pensacola, FL, offers an AS degree in veterinary technology. This is a two-year, full-time degree program and includes both classroom instruction as well as labs and experiences at a clinical work site. Students can choose a three-year plan as well.

The program begins in August each year and students must have completed various general education courses prior to starting the program such as general zoology; principles of biology; English composition; and others.

Courses in this 73-credit program include canine and feline behavior; large animal medicine; small animal clinical procedures; radiography; avian, exotic, small mammals, and fish; veterinary emergency medicine; and others. Graduates from Pensacola State College had a first-time pass rate on the VTNE of 81 percent between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Pensacola, FL
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

St. Petersburg College

For students who cannot or do not wish to attend an on-campus program, St. Petersburg College (SPC) in Largo, Florida offers a 73-credit online associate in science (AS) degree in veterinary technology and a 120-credit online bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree in veterinary technology. The AS program is also offered on-campus.

Before beginning vet tech programming in the AS program, students must complete at least 18 credits of general education courses outlined by the college such as courses in communications, social and behavioral sciences, humanities and fine arts, and others. In addition, students must complete 40 hours of observation in a veterinary clinic prior to entering the program.

To apply to the BAS program, students must have already completed an AVMA-accredited AS or AAS degree in veterinary technology. Classes include small animal breeds and behavior; animal physiology; animal nursing; avian and exotic pet medicine; introduction to dental techniques; and much more.

The programs begin in August, January, and May each year. Students are expected to work 20 hours weekly in an approved veterinary setting to fulfill clinical requirements. Eighty percent of SPC graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt between 2021 and 2024.

• Location: St. Petersburg, FL
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: AS (24 months); BAS (48 months)

To learn more about accredited distance-based programs, check out the guide to online vet tech degrees.

AVMA Accreditation

To become a certified veterinary technician (CVT) in Florida, one must graduate from a training program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technicians Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA). This organization weighs criteria such as school facilities, quality of instruction, and student outcomes (e.g., the first-time pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and job placements). Graduating from an AVMA-accredited school is also a prerequisite to sitting for the VTNE certification exam.

How to Become a Vet Tech in Florida

Here are common steps to becoming a certified veterinary technician (CVT) in Florida:

Step 1: Graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (two to four years). The AVMA is the main accrediting agency for vet tech schools nationwide. It weighs factors such as quality of facilities, student outcomes, and comprehensiveness of curricula. This process ensures consistency of educational standards across the nation and graduating from one of these approved programs is a prerequisite to taking the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

Step 2: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). This examination, while optional for aspiring vet techs in Florida, is essential for these healthcare professionals who are seeking certification. It’s also advisable for people who may move to another state where licensure—and thus passing the examination—is required for practice. There is no state exam in FL as of October 2024.

Step 3: Get certified through the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) or the Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA). While this licensure is not essential for practice, as mentioned above, it may be advisable for several reasons. First, being a certified professional can indicate a certain standard of performance to future employers. Also, for people who may relocate to other states in the future, having a preexisting certification can make a transfer of employment or licensure less complicated.

Please note that CVTs need to renew their licenses every two years in FL on December 31st of odd-numbered years (FVTA 2024). This requires an application and 15 hours of continued education (CE).

Certification for Veterinary Technicians in Florida

While it’s not required, aspiring veterinary technicians are encouraged to take the VTNE exam and seek certification through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). While being certified is not essential to practice in the state of Florida, it may help people secure employment and higher pay, as well as set a vet tech up for licensure by reciprocity if they relocate to another state. The application for newly certified vet techs (CVTs) must be completed within six months of passing the VTNE. The requirements include:

• Submit an application
• Pay the exam fee

Please note that these certifications must be renewed every two years (on December 31st of odd-numbered years). This process involves completing 15 hours of continued education (CU) credit. Vet techs can find CU opportunities through the FVTA and NAVTA.

In sum, the educational and employment landscapes favor aspiring vet techs in Florida.

Strong Outlook for Vet Tech Jobs in Florida

Florida has one of the strongest employment climates in the nation for aspiring veterinary technicians. The Sunshine State boasts the second-highest number of veterinary techs currently employed at 10,310 total (BLS May 2023). Furthermore, Projections Central (2024) found that demand for vet techs in Florida specifically is expected to grow 36.4 percent between 2022 and 2032, which means an additional 3,640 openings for these professionals. As mentioned above, there is a 19 percent increase in vet tech positions expected between 2023 and 2033—approximately 24,300 new jobs nationally.

In addition to a favorable employment outlook, the state of Florida offers professional networking and support for vet techs as well. The Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA) is a non-profit organization established in 1975 that certifies vet techs and has a wealth of resources, including job postings, continued education (CE) opportunities, volunteer groups, and a quarterly newsletter.

Vet Tech Salaries in Florida – How Much Do Vet Techs Make?

On a national scale, the 122,000 vet techs across the U.S. made an average of $44,040 per year (BLS May 2023). In Florida, this yearly average is slightly lower, coming in at $41,640. With that being said, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) finds that the Sunshine State is the 33rd most affordable in the country, boasting particular savings in transportation and healthcare costs. Prospective vet techs should keep this in mind while evaluating the following state salary figures. Take a look at how Florida compares with the rest of the nation according to the latest BLS data (May 2023).

In addition, vet tech salaries in Florida vary widely by region, with the lowest average salary of $35,880 per year in Homosassa Springs with the highest average of $44,820 in the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island Beach metropolitan area.

Here is a summary of salary data for vet techs and assistants in FL: