Become a Vet Tech in North Dakota

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 30 2010

Becoming a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

The general duties of a veterinary technician in the state of North Dakota are similar to those of a nurse.  Veterinary technicians assist licensed veterinarians with daily tasks such as dental cleaning, surgery, and clinical testing.  Technicians will take the patient history of the animal and participate in the diagnosis and treatment of sick and injured animals.  Veterinary technicians practicing in North Dakota may also be required to euthanize unwanted or critically ill animals as part of their standard duties.

The average rate of growth for veterinary technicians in the United States is projected to be 36%. Veterinary technicians in North Dakota will experience a lower rate of growth at 26%, still a promising increase.

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Candidates for North Dakota vet tech programs should first have completed high school and then enroll in a two year college program. Math and science courses will be a central part of any veterinary technician program and should be concentrated on during the high school years if possible. Veterinary programs should be pursued at accredited colleges approved by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).  Students have the option of attending classes on-site or through several online institutions. 

Veterinary technicians must receive state licensing before being permitted to work in the state of North Dakota. The North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association is responsible for issuing state licenses for technicians in the state. State license requirements include receiving a passing grade on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), being recommended by a veterinarian licensed in North Dakota, and completion of an accredited veterinary technician program.  The fee for the state licensing application is $25 and applications are on the state website:  http://www.ndbvme.org.

The VTNE exam is a national exam that is available two times a year in January and June for a fee of $200.  It is a requirement in most states, including North Dakota, and is administered through the AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science).  The exam has 225 multiple choice questions which evaluate the ability of an individual to practice as a licensed technician.  Exam candidates are allowed five attempts to pass the VTNE exam before being required to receive board approval by the AAVSB to take the exam any additional times. Practice exams are available online at the cost of $45.