Veterinary Technician - Texas

Associate Degree 9 months
In Demand

Online Vet Technician School in Texas

If you’re looking for a career that allows you to make a difference and offers plenty of job opportunities in Texas, Penn Foster’s online Veterinary Technician Degree can help you take the first steps toward the job you want. As a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), you’ll be an essential part of a veterinary healthcare team, working with veterinarians to examine, diagnose, and treat patients.

  • Penn Foster's online Vet Tech Program is fully accredited through AVMA-CVTEA. 
  • Prepares you to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
  • Veterinary Technicians in are in high demand in Texas, with a projected 24% increase in jobs over the next decade.*
  • Texas vet techs can earn as much as $13.35 to $17.35 per hour.*
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)

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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 Texas

Veterinary Technician in Brownsville-Harlingen

AVG SALARY*

$28,570

SALARY (<1 year)**

$31,450

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$34,572

Veterinary Technician in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington

AVG SALARY*

$35,090

SALARY (<1 year)**

$35,705

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$39,250

Veterinary Technician in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land

AVG SALARY*

$34,000

SALARY (<1 year)**

$36,567

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$40,198

Veterinary Technician in Laredo

AVG SALARY*

$36,090

SALARY (<1 year)**

$32,032

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$35,212

Veterinary Technician in Austin-Round Rock

AVG SALARY*

$35,230

SALARY (<1 year)**

$35,290

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$38,795

Veterinary Technician in El Paso

AVG SALARY*

$27,780

SALARY (<1 year)**

$31,434

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$34,555

Veterinary Technician in San Antonio-New Braunfels

AVG SALARY*

$29,850

SALARY (<1 year)**

$34,659

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$38,100

Veterinary Technician in Longview

AVG SALARY*

$29,150

SALARY (<1 year)**

$32,812

SALARY (5-6 years)**

$36,071


Designed to prepare students for vet tech jobs in Texas and around the country, our online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree program combines self-paced learning with hands-on experience. Our expert faculty, interactive curriculum, and required hands-on externship experience 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 the state of Texas 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 Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in Texas

In order to become a licensed veterinary technician in Texas, you’ll need to follow a few steps.

  1. Be at least 18 years old. To qualify for a vet tech license in Texas, you need to be at least 18 years old at the time you apply.
  2. Graduate from an AVMA-accredited vet tech program. While there may be many schools in Texas that offer a veterinary technician program, you want to be sure to graduate from one that is AVMA-accredited in order to qualify to sit for the VTNE and gain your license.
  3. Take and pass the VTNE. The VTNE is the national exam that is required in most states for those who want to be licensed, certified, or registered as a veterinary technician.
  4. Take and pass the Texas Licensed Vet Tech Exam (TLVTE). This is an exam required by the state and only applicable to those looking to be licensed in the state of Texas.
  5. Apply for the license through the state board. You’ll need to show proof you graduated from an approved program and passed the required examinations. You may also need to pay a fee. The license needs to be renewed annually to be able to call yourself an LVT.

quote icon

Megan Chadwick, CVT

Academic Director, Veterinary Academy at Penn Foster

“Getting certified/licensed/registered as a vet tech in Texas is important because it enables a person to gain more responsibility and may lead to higher pay opportunities.”

Online Vet Tech Program Curriculum

  • 4 semesters
  • 68 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.

Your veterinary technician classes are designed to give you the knowledge and skills that can help build a successful career as an LVT in Texas. 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 Texas Veterinarians

Along with your academic coursework, you’ll work with licensed Texas veterinarians and vet technicians to apply your knowledge to real-world situations in two required externships. In each externship, you’ll complete skills under the supervision of professionals at a vet clinic or animal hospital near you.

Vet Tech Student Success Stories

Penn Foster’s online Vet Tech Program has helped recent Texas 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

“Now that I graduated from the program, I’m like yeah Penn Foster is great. I’m certified just like that person who went to in-person school 7 days a week.”

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

With Penn Foster’s affordable tuition and payment plan options, getting your vet tech education in Texas 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 Texas FAQs

How long is vet tech school in Texas?

The length of time it takes to complete your vet tech program in Texas can depend on the program you choose. Many traditional programs can be completed within roughly two years. With an online Vet Tech School like Penn Foster, the length of time it takes to complete your degree is up to you! Classes are self-paced, with no deadlines or due dates, so you decide how fast you graduate.

How do you become a certified vet tech in Texas?

In Texas, veterinary technicians are licensed instead of certified. To be a licensed vet tech, you need to complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program, pass the VTNE, pass the Texas licensing exam, and apply to the state board.

Do you need a degree to be a vet tech in Texas?

You need a degree to be a licensed vet tech in Texas. However, being licensed is not required to work as a veterinary technician. If you do not want to pursue a degree, you can still become a vet tech in Texas. Getting licensed, though, can offer a lot of benefits, allowing you to stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs and potentially earn more money.

What is the vet tech salary in Texas?

Salary can vary based on where you live, where you work, and your experience. The average salary for a veterinary technician in Texas is around $30,430 per year.*

Can you live off being a vet tech?

Depending on where you live and what your daily expenses are, it’s possible to make a decent living being a vet tech! 

Is becoming a vet tech worth it?

If you’re passionate about helping animals and ensuring their well-being, then becoming a vet tech is absolutely worth it! It can be a challenging job, but if you love what you do, you can be happy.

How much do vet techs make hourly in Texas?

The average hourly pay for Texas vet technicians is $14.62.

What is the highest paying vet tech?

Generally, the highest paid vet tech is one that specializes in a particular field and has several years of experience. Some of the most highly paid veterinary technicians work in emergency medicine or specialize in surgery.

Does Texas use CVT or RVT?

Texas does not use CVT (certified veterinary technician) or RVT (registered veterinary technician). In Texas, veterinary technicians who want to be credentialed become licensed and are referred to as LVTs.

Do Texas vet techs have to take the VTNE?

Licensing isn’t required to work as a vet tech in Texas so if you decide not to become licensed, you do not need to take the VTNE. However, if you do want to be credentialed and become an LVT, taking and passing the VTNE is required as part of the process.

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed September 23, 2022.

**Veterinary Technician Salary in Texas. 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.