Veterinary Technician (VTT)

If you love animals and want a meaningful career in veterinary medicine, Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Technician associate degree program gives you the skills and credentials to make it happen.

Through a curriculum that balances clinical knowledge with real-world application, you will learn animal anatomy, medical terminology, examination techniques, surgical assisting, diagnostic radiography, dental procedures and more. You will graduate with everything you need to support veterinarians and advocate for animal health across a wide range of veterinary environments. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and pursue licensure as a veterinary technician in their state.

Program objective. To develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level veterinary technicians through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, examination techniques, and radiologic, dental, and surgical procedures as they relate to veterinary care. Graduates of this program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and applicable state board examinations.

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Clinical: Animal nursing, small animal care, surgical nursing, emergency procedures, examination techniques and anesthesia principles
• Administrative: Office procedures, communications, computer basics and math applications
• Diagnostic: Radiologic/diagnostic imaging for veterinary technicians, clinical lab procedures and pathology
• Anatomy: Anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians, pharmacology and medical terminology
• Surgical: Surgical nursing, clinical surgery lab, aseptic technique and surgical assisting and dentistry techniques
• Species: Exotic animal medicine and nursing, equine medicine and nursing, food and fiber animal care and laboratory animal science

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

Program-specific requirements. In addition to the Admissions requirements and Transfer Credit criteria listed in the Prospective Students section of this catalog, an interview with the program director and/or faculty is required. Applicants to this degree completion program must provide evidence of a certificate/diploma from a veterinary assistant program and upon evaluation may successfully transfer 29 credits. Applicants with less than one year of experience as a veterinary assistant must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be considered. Applicants with a GPA of 2.5 - 2.74 will be required to pass a readiness assessment with a score of 80% or greater (16 out of 20 points) on the first attempt to qualify. Refer to the program specific Prospective Student Handout for more information.

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for degree programs, excluding Nursing, are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 20. Applicants for associate degree programs are also required to take a math admission test and receive a minimum of 80% (24 out of 30 correct); a calculator is allowed, the time limit is 45 minutes, and the test can be taken up to 3 times. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies. Students in the Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician programs are required to obtain the full series rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At a glance. Course length: 18 Months (approximate); Total credits: 77.5 – 80.5; Class hours: 810-865; Lab hours: 490-540; Externship hours: 240-465. Hybrid education options not available at all campuses. Course totals include the Pima Medical Institute Veterinary Assistant certificate program, which is eligible for transfer into the Veterinary Technician program. The El Paso program is approximately 21 months. Credit totals and hours vary by location.

El Paso campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 75.5 semester credits and 1,590 clock hours over 82 weeks, including 5 externship credits (240 hours).

El Paso class times. Morning classes 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday; afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:40 PM - 10:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Hybrid learning options. For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses. Hybrid learning combines in-person instruction with online learning. Students can engage with course materials at times and in environments that suit their individual circumstances, such as balancing employment, family responsibilities or geographic constraints. However, externship hours must be completed entirely in person because hands-on clinical experience is essential for developing the practical skills and confidence needed for real-world patient care.

Program Structure

From Veterinary Assistant to Veterinary Technician

Pima Medical's Veterinary Technician associate degree program is designed as a natural next step for graduates of the Veterinary Assistant certificate program . If you have already completed the Veterinary Assistant program at Pima Medical, those credits are eligible for transfer directly into the Veterinary Technician program, meaning you can build directly on what you have already learned. Students who are new to the veterinary field will begin with the Veterinary Assistant program before continuing into Veterinary Technician coursework. The combined program length is approximately 18 months. At the El Paso campus, Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician are combined into a single, continuous program, approximately 21 months in length.

• Certification: Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).* Students take VTT 262, a dedicated VT seminar built to prepare for the VTNE.
• Entry-level roles: Veterinary technician, veterinary technologist, animal health technician, surgical veterinary technician, emergency/critical care veterinary technician, laboratory animal technician or zoo/wildlife veterinary technician.
• Career advancement: With experience, graduates can grow into leadership roles such as senior veterinary technician, technician supervisor, or practice manager. Many also pursue the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential to specialize in areas like anesthesia, dentistry, or emergency care.

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Veterinary Technician associate degree program prepares students to apply for roles including:

• Veterinary technician
• Laboratory animal technician
• Veterinary dental technician
• Surgical veterinary technician

These careers may exist in a variety of health care environments, including veterinary clinics and hospitals, biomedical research facilities, diagnostic laboratories, zoos and wildlife facilities, ranches and agricultural settings and humane societies and animal control facilities.

Job outlook. 9% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years, with a median pay of $47,380 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited September 22, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.