Become a Vet Tech in Hawaii

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Hawaii

Receive your High School Diploma or GED. This is necessary in order to enroll in a Veterinary Technology program at a school, college, or university.

Find a Veterinary Technology education program at a school, college, or university that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The organization's website, which can be found at www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_programs/vettech_programs.asp, lists 160 programs (2010) that are accredited and approved for study by the AVMA, with 20 four-year vet tech programs. While there are none at this time in the state of Hawaii, there are nine programs that are accredited and offer distance learning. In Hawaii, vet tech programs online are clearly the most practical option. If you choose this route and internships are not required by the educational program, you might want to consider spending a period of time volunteering for a licensed veterinarian to gain experience in the field.
Upon graduation from your Veterinary Technology education program, you will most likely earn an Associate's degree (which takes about two years). Some schools do offer four-year Bachelor's degree programs. Your school should send transcripts of your courses directly to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) before you register to take the national exam. Have them mailed to:

AAVSB
VTNE Program
380 W 22nd St, Suite 101
Kansas City, MO 64108

Although the state of Hawaii does not certify or license its Veterinary Technicians, many employers require that their technicians be licensed. Therefore, the next step after graduation is to take the national VTNE (Veterinary Technology National Exam). This is offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). They can be reached through their website at www.aavsb.org or by phone at (877)698-8482. The test is usually given twice a year, in January and June.
Once you pass the national certification exam, you will be a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). This certification will help you to attain a wider variety of positions in the Veterinary Technology field within the state of Hawaii.
After becoming certified, apply for a position as a Certified Veterinary Technician in the state of Hawaii. The following are employers within the state who will probably welcome applications from Certified Veterinarian Technicians: