Veterinary Technician - Florida

Associate Degree 9 months
In Demand

Online Vet Technician School in Florida

If you’re looking for a rewarding career that allows you to make a difference and offers a lot of job opportunities, becoming a veterinary technician could be the perfect fit. You can take the first steps toward an in-demand job as a vet tech in Florida with Penn Foster’s online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree.

  • Penn Foster's online Vet Tech Program is fully accredited through AVMA-CVTEA. 
  • Prepares you to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
  • Florida veterinary technicians are in high demand, with a projected 24% increase in the need for vet techs over the next 10 years.*
  • Penn Foster is a trusted partner of some of the largest veterinary hospitals in Florida, including Banfield, VCA, and BluePearl.
  • Vet techs in Florida can make between $16.53 and $17.91 per hour starting out.*
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $400 Ends 11/26/2024

First Semester

$1,599

$1,999 Save $400

or

$75/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

See full program cost & payment options

What You Will Learn

  1. How to prepare to sit for the VTNE exam by studying animal healthcare, animal anatomy and physiology, veterinary practice management, veterinary pharmacology, and more. View test scores for Penn Foster's Vet Tech students.
  2. How to recognize an animals’ integumentary, urinary, and endocrine systems using engaging visual learning aids and interactive assessments.
  3. How to care for large and small animals, small and large animal medicine, animal nutrition, laboratory animal medicine, and more.
  4. How to be a part of a working veterinary team and apply knowledge and skills in a mixed-animal practice.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Career Outcomes for Vet Techs in Florida

Veterinary Technician in Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach

AVG SALARY*

$34,400

SALARY (<1 year)**

$32,646

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$35,888

Veterinary Technician in Jacksonville

AVG SALARY*

$36,260

SALARY (<1 year)**

$34,170

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$37,563

Veterinary Technician in North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton

AVG SALARY*

$36,970

SALARY (<1 year)**

$34,321

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$37,729

Veterinary Technician in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford

AVG SALARY*

$36,640

SALARY (<1 year)**

$34,138

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$37,528

Veterinary Technician in Cape Coral-Fort Myers

AVG SALARY*

$36,840

SALARY (<1 year)**

$33,634

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$36,974

Veterinary Technician in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach

AVG SALARY*

$37,270

SALARY (<1 year)**

$34,878

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$38,342

Veterinary Technician in Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL

AVG SALARY*

$35,570

SALARY (<1 year)**

$32,560

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$35,793

Veterinary Technician in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

AVG SALARY*

$36,900

SALARY (<1 year)**

$34,206

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$37,603


Our online Vet Tech Program is designed to help you prepare to become a vet tech in Florida on your schedule. Our expert faculty, interactive curriculum, and required hands-on externship experience – you'll work with licensed Florida veterinarians in a vet clinic near you - make for an engaging online learning experience that will help prepare you for an in-demand career. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for veterinary technicians in Florida is expected to grow 24% through 2031.*

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing requirements for Registered Veterinary Technicians vary greatly from state to state throughout the United States and may contain specific educational course approvals. You should contact your state's appropriate licensing bureau for the current requirements, or your state legislature for pending legislation. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

A woman with fair skin and light brown hair wearing scrubs and glasses smiles at the camera

Vet Assistant to Vet Tech: Advancing Your Career as a Working Parent

How to Become a Certified Veterinary Technician in Florida

While certification isn’t required to be a vet tech in Florida, it can help you stand out when applying for jobs and potentially allow you to earn more money starting out. To become a CVT in Florida, you’ll need to follow a few steps.

  1. Graduate from an AVMA-accredited vet tech school. To qualify for certification, you’ll first need to complete an AVMA-accredited vet tech degree.
  2. Sit for and pass the VTNE. Within a year of graduating from your vet tech program, you’ll need to sit for and pass the VTNE.
  3. Apply for certification with the Florida Veterinary Technician Association. After you’ve passed the VTNE, you’ll apply for certification through FVTA. Once your application is approved, you are considered a CVT.
  4. Maintain your credentials. To maintain your certification, you’ll need to complete 15 continuing education (CE) credits and recertify every 2 years.

quote icon

Megan Chadwick, CVT

Academic Director, Veterinary Academy at Penn Foster

“Getting certified/licensed/registered as a vet tech in Florida is important because it allows you to be able to have the additional designation and may lead to better pay and job opportunities.”

Vet Tech Online Program Curriculum

  • 4 semesters
  • 30 exams
  • 73 credits
  • 2 externships


Estimated completion time per semester:

  • Fast track = 9 months
  • Average time = 13 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times per semester are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2020 - October 2021, excluding withdrawals.

Take your first steps toward a career as a Florida vet tech with Penn Foster’s online Veterinary Technician Degree. Your online classes include:


  • Animal Anatomy and Physiology
  • Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
  • Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians
  • Small and Large Animal Medicine
  • Laboratory Animal Medicine and Nursing

Show Full Curriculum
veterinary technician with a dog.

Work Alongside Florida Veterinarians

As part of your program, you’ll gain hands-on experience and apply what you learned in your classes to real-world situations in two externships. Working under the supervision of licensed Florida veterinarians and veterinary technicians, you’ll build practical skills in small and large animal vet care at an animal clinic or hospital in your area.

Vet Tech Student Success Stories

Penn Foster’s online Vet Tech Program has helped recent Florida graduates prepare for new careers in the veterinary field. Learn more about our vet tech students' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.
View Student Success Stories
quote icon

Lauren C.

Penn Foster Vet Tech Graduate

“Because I got my certification, I got promoted as a lead tech at the place I’ve been working at since before the program.”

Looking for veterinary technician training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.
Banfield Animal Hospital, VCA Animal Hospitals, NVA, BluePearl, SVP logos.
Learn More

How much does it cost to become a veterinary technician in Florida?

With Penn Foster’s affordable tuition and payment plan options, getting your vet tech education in Florida can fit almost any budget!

Option 1: Pay semester in full

Save up to $400 Ends 11/26/2024

First Semester1

$1,599

$1,999 Save $400

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

First Semester1

$1,999

  • Pay $75 per month
  • Start for $20 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

First semester1

$1,999

  • Pay $75 per month
  • Start for $49 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Vet Tech Learning Model

Empowering Penn Foster students to reach their professional goals.

Flexible

  • No set start date
  • No exam due dates
  • Payment Plans

Interactive

  • Engaging digital study guides
  • Easy to use digital textbooks
  • Practical exercises

Connected

  • 24/7 access to online resources
  • Engaging online student community
  • Connect with peers in real-time through discussion boards

Supportive

  • Unlimited access to expert instructors
  • Robust learning resources
  • Dedicated student services team

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Online Vet Tech School in Florida FAQs

How long do you have to go to school to be a vet tech in Florida?

Technically, you’re not required to attend school to be a vet tech in Florida. Earning a degree as a veterinary technician can, however, be helpful to your career. A degree allows you to stand out from other applicants and become certified, which can allow you to potentially earn more money.

How do I become a vet tech in Florida?

There are currently no set requirements for becoming a vet tech in Florida. However, if you’d like to become a certified veterinary technician (CVT), the first step is to earn an AVMA-accredited vet tech degree. Then, you’ll need to sit for and pass the VTNE. From there, you’ll apply for certification through the Florida Veterinary Technician Association.

How much does a certified vet tech (CVT) make in Florida?

The average salary for a vet technician in Florida is $36,117 as of January 2023.

Is a bachelor's in vet tech worth it?

Furthering your education is never a bad idea! To start out as a vet tech, you’ll want to get your associate’s degree first. If you then want to pursue a vet tech specialty, you can go back to school to earn your veterinary technology bachelor’s degree. By earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be able to qualify for advanced jobs in the field and even a higher salary.

Does Florida require vet tech certification?

No, Florida doesn’t require vet tech certification. However, some employers might prefer to hire certified vet techs over those who don’t have a degree or aren’t certified.

Does Florida use CVT or RVT?

Florida uses the CVT designation for veterinary technician credentials. CVT stands for certified veterinary technician. 

Do Florida vet techs have to take the VTNE?

Florida vet techs only need to take the VTNE if they want to be considered a certified veterinary technician. You can’t be a CVT without taking the VTNE.

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Veterinary Technologists and Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed September 23, 2022.

**Veterinary Technician Salary in Florida. Salary.com. Accessed February 15, 2023.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.