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The U.S. Constitution mandated the establishment of a federal district to be governed by Congress. The land area was carved out of the states of Maryland and Virginia in the late 1700s and named the District of Columbia, Columbia being the female representation of the new country. The City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the capital of the United States. By 1800, the capital had been moved from Philadelphia to Washington and Congress began meeting there. As time passed, the city and the district became known as Washington, DC.
Although several attempts have been made to make the District of Columbia a state, it remains a federal district subject to Congress. The City of Washington has a mayor and city council but remains subject to Congress. Washington, DC, commonly referred to as DC, continues as the home of the United States government. The population exceeds six million and the city is the center of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.
Washingtonians have a long history of caring for animals, starting shortly after the city was founded. Congress created the Washington Humane Society to “protect the children and animals of the District.” The organization is now known as the Humane Rescue Alliance and offers comprehensive services that include a pet pantry, training, youth programs, and animal care, among others. They sponsor adoption events and foster programs. They help hundreds of pets find their forever homes monthly, provide thousands of surgeries and medical procedures, and answer nearly 20,000 calls for help each year.
Other local animal welfare organizations in the city include City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue, which works to save animals confined in high-kill shelters, and DC PAWS Rescue, which partners with Best Friends to meet the needs of animals in shelters. DC is also the national headquarters of American Humane, dedicated to ensuring “The safety, welfare and well-being of animals.” Much of the success of these and similar organizations depends on donations and volunteers. But there is always more to be done, and those who care about animals can help as a veterinary technician (vet tech).
A vet tech’s work can be compared to what nurses do for human patients. Like nurses working for a doctor, vet techs are supervised by a licensed veterinarian. Among other responsibilities, they record patient histories; collect specimens and do appropriate lab work or other analyses; prepare animals, equipment, and instruments for surgery; assist in various procedures; perform imaging; advise and educate pet owners; and perform dental procedures. In some facilities, they may be responsible for the care and handling of animals used in research. Although exceptions can sometimes be made in the case of emergencies, vet techs are generally not allowed to diagnose, prescribe, or do surgery. Each state has its own list of restrictions. The DC Board of Veterinarian Medicine does not currently impose additional restrictions on vet techs.
Keep reading to learn about training opportunities, job outlook, salary data, and information on licensure.
AVMA-Accredited Vet Tech Schools near Washington, DC
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits schools offering training for vet techs. Currently, there are no schools in DC. The following table includes nearby Maryland and Virginia accredited schools.
| School Website | main address | online program | Avma Accredited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Campus of the Community College Of Baltimore County | 7201 Rossville Blvd. Baltimore, MD, 21237 | No | Yes |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Loudoun Campus 21200 Campus Drive LA Building, Rm 159 Sterling, VA, 20164-8699 | Hybrid | yes |
Institutions vary in their criteria for admission but typically students should expect to have proof of graduating from high school or obtaining their GED, write a personal statement, have health insurance, undergo specific vaccinations, complete an application, and pay relevant fees. Non-native speakers may be asked to pass the TOEFL or similar test. Some institutions expect students to have completed specified coursework such as biology, chemistry, or algebra. Others may want in-person interviews, experience with animals, or letters of recommendation.
Employment as a vet tech in DC requires passing two exams, as noted above. Only individuals who have graduated from an accredited institution are eligible to take the exams. As there are no accredited vet tech schools in DC, aspiring techs must obtain their training elsewhere.
Two of the closest accredited schools are in Baltimore, MD, and Sterling, VA.
Community College of Baltimore County offers a five-semester veterinary technology program at the Essex Campus located in Baltimore, MD. Students complete 65 credits to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The curriculum provides the foundation vet techs need for a successful career. Subjects include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures and anesthesiology, laboratory animal science, companion animal disease and pathology, and animal nutrition, among others.
On occasion, students may have to attend classes in the evenings or labs on Saturdays. They must also be vaccinated against rabies, have a recent tetanus booster vaccination, and be fully Covid 19 vaccinated. They are also required to purchase uniforms. Graduates have a first-time pass rate of 87 percent between 2020 and 2023.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is another choice for DC students. NOVA offers a two-year AAS degree in veterinary technology at the Loudoun campus in Sterling, VA. They feature a state-of-the-art teaching hospital that prepares students for primary care and various specialties. The 68-credit curriculum includes clinical pathology, animal diseases, animal breeds and behavior, anesthesia of domestic animals, and others. They finish with a preceptorship. Graduates taking the VTNE for the first time between 2020 and 2023 enjoyed a passing rate of 68.7 percent.
NOVA’s Veterinary Technology program can be completed full-time or part-time. In addition, students can choose between on-campus and online coursework. Online students must make three visits each semester to the Loudoun campus for hands-on training. They must also be employed by a licensed veterinarian for a specified number of hours each semester.
Accredited Online Vet Tech Programs for Washington, DC Students
Sometimes circumstances prevent aspiring vet techs from attending on-campus schools. The AVMA has accredited several online schools throughout the country in addition to NOVA, profiled above. Typically, students complete the coursework online while performing the clinical portions at approved local veterinarian practices. A licensed vet signs off on the skills assessments.
Penn Foster College offers a vet tech associate program that partners with veterinary hospitals such as Banfield, VCA, and BluePearl. The 72-credit program includes online classes such as veterinary office management and skill with people; medical nursing for veterinary technicians; small and large animal medicine; anesthesia; pharmacology; surgical nursing; and clinical parasitology. Students also complete two externships.
The average time to completion is 13 months, however, students choosing the fast track option may finish in as little as nine months. Finally, 78.2 percent of Penn Foster vet tech graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt between 2020 and 2023. Penn Foster is physically located in Chandler, AZ. As well as AVMA-CVTEA accreditation, it is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Purdue University, based in West Lafayette, IN, offers a veterinary nursing AAS program comprised of 27 courses and 18 clinical mentorships. The program takes 70 credit hours to complete. Among other subjects, students study equine medical nursing; diagnostic imaging; clinical pathology; small animal nursing; anesthesia for vet techs; management topics; and microbiology for vet techs.
Purdue also offers the same program on-campus. Between 2021 and 2024, an impressive 89.6 percent of Purdue’s distance-based vet tech graduates and 86.6 percent of its on-campus students passed the VTNE on their first attempt.
St. Petersburg College, located in St. Petersburg, FL, offers an online associate of science (AS) veterinary technology program with convenient August, January, and May start dates. Coursework includes units in animal nursing, animal breeds and behavior, large animal clinical and nursing skills, avian and exotic pet medicine, large animal diseases, laboratory animal medicine, and more. Applicants must have worked or volunteered in a veterinary hospital for at least 40 hours before applying for admission.
In addition, St. Petersburg offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. All students must volunteer for 280 hours per semester in a local veterinary clinic and complete clinical practice to graduate. Between 2021 and 2024, 80 percent of graduates passed the VTNE on their first attempt. SPC is accredited by AVMA-CVTEA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Students who graduate from the veterinary program at YTI Career Institute are awarded an Associate in Specialized Technology degree. Coursework includes such subjects as breeding, nutrition, nursing, behavior, and similar classes. They also complete two clinical experiences at an approved site near them.
YTI is accredited by AVMA-CVTEA and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The school is located in York, PA. Between 2021 and 2024, 38 percent of the graduates passed the VTNE on their first try.
Check out the online veterinary technician programs page to learn about other distance-based programs.
Vet Tech Program Accreditation
It’s essential to attend an accredited vet tech program whether attending on-campus or online. DC vet techs cannot become registered or licensed if they obtain their training at a non-accredited institution. Furthermore, the school must be accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) program-approval branch. The CVTEA weighs several factors in its accreditation process such as:
- Institutional accreditation
- School and program finance management
- Organization and communications networks
- Quality of facilities
- Resources available for clinical training
- Libraries and other resources
- Admissions process
- Student outcomes
- Faculty and staff
- Curriculum
The CVTEA accreditation page has more information.
How to Become a Vet Tech in Washington, DC
How does one become a vet tech? While details can vary, aspiring vet techs typically follow these steps:
Step 1: Graduate from high school or obtain a GED (four years). In addition to having a love of animals, students should complete hard science classes, such as chemistry and biology, as well as statistics and math, to be as prepared as possible for their continued education.
Step 2: Earn an associate or bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the American Medical Veterinary Association (two to four years).
Step 3: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). This computer-based exam, offered during three-month-long windows annually, gauges the knowledge of aspiring veterinary technicians. Techs must also take the Washington DC State Board Examination. Other than the requirement to graduate from an AVMA school, the Board’s website does not provide details on the vet tech exam. Aspiring techs are advised to contact the Board for instructions.
Step 4: Obtain certification. In DC, “veterinary technician” means a person is certified to “perform acts relating to maintenance of the health or treatment of an animal, except for the performance of surgery, diagnosis, or prescribing of medication for any animal.”
Job Outlook for Vet Techs in Washington, DC
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), vet techs enjoy career opportunities in a fast-growing profession. BLS expects a growth rate between 2023 and 2033 of 19 percent nationwide, which is significantly faster than their prediction of four percent for all occupations. This equates to 24,300 new jobs that decade. Projections Central anticipates a growth rate of 21.4 percent, or 30 new positions, between 2022 and 2032 in the District of Columbia.
Where do Washington, DC Vet Techs Work?
A vet tech’s training enables them to seek employment in a broad range of animal care facilities. While many work for veterinarians in private practice, others find their niche in zoos, biomedical research, wildlife care, laboratories, humane societies, kennels, sanctuaries, pet stores, animal nutrition companies, and other animal-related businesses. Techs may work normal business hours, but depending on the needs of their patients, they may also have to work holidays, evenings, or weekends.
The AVMA maintains a national job board for members. Their career center also includes tips on job seeking and negotiating a salary. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) also lists positions for vet techs. iHireVeterinary (Nov. 2024) has numerous listings for licensed vet techs. Indeed (Nov. 2024) has listings that include Atlas Vet, Banfield Pet Hospital, Veterinary Emergency Group, VCA Animal Hospitals, Encore Vet Group, and more. Monster (Nov. 2024) shows positions available in facilities such as Jobot, Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic, Ballston Animal Hospital, Falls Church Animal Hospital, and PetVet Care Centers, among others. In short, trained veterinary technicians have multiple job opportunities in their location of choice.
As with most professions, vet techs who choose to specialize often have increased job opportunities that are often accompanied by increased pay. Specialties include dental, internal medicine, nutrition, and many others. NAVTA provides information on approved sources of training. Additional information on how to become a veterinary technician specialist (VTS) is on the main veterinary technician page.
Vet Tech Salaries in Washington, DC
As indicated in the table below, vet techs in the Washington, DC area enjoy higher salaries than those in other parts of the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), the average annual salary for DC vet techs is $56,420, significantly more than the $44,040 paid nationwide.
Details of salaries at specific levels of experience are as follows:
| United States | District of Columbia | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of vet techs employed | 122,000 | 140 | 2,180 |
| Average annual salary | $44,040 | $56,420 | $52,280 |
| 10th percentile | $30,180 | $39,240 | $36,690 |
| 25th percentile | $36,340 | $47,440 | $42,810 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,740 | $49,330 | $50,400 |
| 75th percentile | $48,900 | $67,120 | $60,900 |
| 90th percentile | $59,310 | $76,030 | $70,280 |
It’s important to be aware that salary statistics can vary by source. For example, Indeed (Nov. 2024) indicates that the average annual salary in DC is $50,455. PayScale (Nov. 2024) shows the following, based on nationwide self-reported income:
- 10th percentile: $30,000
- 50th percentile (median): $40,833
- 90th percentile: $57,000
Another consideration is the cost of living in the area. For example, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) indicates that the District of Columbia is the third most expensive area in the U.S. in which to live. Housing, in particular, is significantly more expensive for residents. The higher salaries reflect the higher cost of living.
Washington, DC Vet Tech Certification Process
As noted earlier, DC vet techs must be certified. Applicants “have the burden of establishing that they meet the requirements for the license, registration, or certification sought.” Their application also includes identifying information and a fee.
The Board of Veterinary Medicine does not separate vet tech registration/licensing from veterinarian registration/licensing. All applications must be completed online through the Department of Health. Applicants supply their personal information, the name of their training institution, undergo a background check, and pay a fee. Starting in September 2024, licenses are renewed annually in the month of the applicant’s birth date.
