Veterinary Technician Schools in Utah

Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Utah (UT)

The state of Utah has no American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited programs in operation with an on-campus option. However, students do have the option of choosing an online program if they prefer.

Those interested in starting their two-year vet tech journey in Utah in a formal setting can begin at the non-accredited veterinary assistant programs as well. Choosing to earn a veterinary assistant program qualifies a graduate to engage in basic and routine animal care practices, and may connect them to a veterinary clinic or hospital where they can go on to learn the higher-level skills required to become a veterinary technician.

Mountain Edge Veterinary Technology

Although not AVMA-accredited, Mountain Edge Veterinary Technology has a veterinary technician program that is NAVTA/AVA-approved. This program provides graduates with a rewarding and strong education in veterinary technology. As students, they will learn the knowledge and skills needed for becoming integral members of the veterinary medical team and will experience hands-on laboratory procedures, and classroom instruction, as well as work with a variety of small, large, and exotic animals.

Students will work with a wide variety of species in clinical situations and will learn the necessary skills required for providing radiographic imaging, critical care nursing, pharmaceutical administration, and anesthesia monitoring. This 16-month course requires students to study two to three hours a day, two days a week.

The curriculum includes topics such as pharmacology, therapeutic administration, drug inventory, anesthesiology, equipment management, patient management, critical care nursing, fluid therapy, intravenous catheters, oxygen therapy, alternative therapy, magnetic therapy, imaging, radiographic quality control measures, and ultrasonography, among many other such topics.

• Location: West Jordan, UT
• Accreditation: NAVTA/AVA approved
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 months

Bridgerland Technical College

Bridgerland Technical College offers an 18-credit certificate in animal sciences providing students with hands-on training to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work as support staff in shelters, veterinary clinics, or other animal-based institutions. The program’s faculty includes experienced and skilled instructors who provide students with real-world training in relevant topics such as nursing care, animal restraint, lab procedures, radiology, catheterization, blood collection, vaccines, dental cleanings, client services, and physical exams. Students will also train on front office procedures.

The curriculum includes courses such as animal sciences; introduction to veterinary tech; clinical procedures; emergency critical care; patient management and nutrition; veterinary assistant clinical sciences; and veterinary assistant applications.

• Location: Logan, UT
• Accreditation: Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 5 to 6 months

Jordan Academy For Technology & Careers

Jordan Academy For Technology & Careers offers a veterinary science program that is designed for seniors and juniors with an animal care and nursing interest. Offering students the opportunity to explore different avenues of the veterinary profession and other animal care careers, this course includes instruction on topics such as sterile techniques, basic nursing care, wound care, anatomy/physiology, office procedures, basic pharmacology, laboratory procedures, veterinary law, fluid therapy, critical care nursing, radiology, pharmacology, and anesthesiology.

Students in this program will be working with several animals including small animals, exotics, and large animals. They will be expected to participate in animal projects and the labs and externships at animal facilities or local veterinary hospitals are part of this program. Notably, students will be responsible for transportation to these clinics and animal facility sites. Also, students will be required to attend a four-day “boot camp” that will be offered at various times during the summer prior to starting the program.

• Location: Riverton, UT
• Accreditation: N/A
• Expected Time to Completion: One year

Online Vet Tech Programs for Utah Students

The most common pathway to this career for vet techs nationwide is to graduate from an accredited, two- to four-year program in veterinary technology. The predominant accreditation body in this field is the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a branch of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

To gain entry to an accredited vet tech program, applicants typically need to submit the following:

• Official high school transcripts with proof of prerequisite coursework (e.g., chemistry, algebra, biology, English)
• Personal statement (500-600 words)
• Proof of vaccinations and/or health insurance
• Application fee

Other programs may call for test scores (e.g., SAT or ACT), personal interviews, or background checks. It also behooves candidates to have some experience working with animals.

As of April 2024, there were no CVTEA-accredited, on-campus programs for vet techs in Utah, but there were several online vet tech programs. These web-based programs typically involve a combination of online didactic coursework and in-house clinicals, which may be completed at qualifying veterinary facilities close to a student’s home.

Penn Foster College

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 a 73-credit 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 program also includes two clinical externships.

The VTNE pass rate for Penn Foster’s online program was 78.2 percent from 2020 to 2023.

• Location: Scottsdale, AZ
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Nine months

San Juan College

Another such program is offered by San Juan College of New Mexico, which provides an online associate of applied science (AAS) program in veterinary technology. The program requires five to seven 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 84.62 percent between 2020 and 2023.

• Location: Farmington, NM
• Accreditation: AVMA-CVTEA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

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 one 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 and Salary Details for Vet Techs in Utah

According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (2023), the overall demand for vet techs is expected to grow by 21 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the 3 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 30.4 percent between 2020 and 2030 (Projections Central 2024).

From a perspective of salary, the 122,000 vet techs in the U.S. make, on average, $44,040 per year (BLS May 2023). The 1,370 vet techs working in Utah made, on average, $39,370 per year. Here’s a comparison of the detailed salary percentiles in UT and across the country:

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 34th in national affordability, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024).

Vet techs in Utah work in private veterinary practice clinics and surgical centers, animal shelters, and educational facilities, and professional networking and development are 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.

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 forgo 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 scores 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.