CRC's Veterinary Technology Certificate program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue employment as an unlicensed veterinary assistant or to pursue the California Veterinary Medical Board's (VMB) alternate route to licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). The program offers a rigorous and rewarding academic curriculum along with ample hands-on experience.

Unlicensed veterinary assistants support veterinarians and RVTs in their daily tasks. Veterinary assistants' duties include performing kennel work, assisting in the restraint and handling of animals, and performing clerical duties. There is no required credentialing exam for unlicensed veterinary assistants. RVTs are trained professionals who have passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and who have subsequently obtained licensure. The CRC Veterinary Technology program is not intended to be a pre-veterinary program for students who want to pursue a doctorate degree to become a veterinarian. CRC counselors are available to help students navigate their choice of program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

🗸 PSLO 1: Use the principles of pharmacology to assist the veterinarian in a clinical setting.

🗸 PSLO 2: Provide veterinary nursing care and surgical assistance in a clinical setting.

🗸 PSLO 3: Use the principles of radiology to assist the veterinarian in a clinical setting.

🗸 PSLO 4: Perform clinical laboratory duties within a veterinary hospital.

🗸 PSLO 5: Use the principles of veterinary dentistry to assist the veterinarian in a clinical setting.

🗸 PSLO 6: Perform clerical duties within a veterinary hospital.

🗸 PSLO 7: Provide safe, humane, and effective care for common laboratory animals used in animal research.

🗸 PSLO 8: Provide safe, humane, and effective care for birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

Career Information

Most veterinary assistants and technicians are employed in private practice, but the demand for technicians is rapidly expanding and includes new employment opportunities in human and animal health-related areas and specialties such as biomedical research, military service, food safety inspection, teaching, zoo animal and wildlife care, diagnostic laboratory support, veterinary supply sales, animal control and humane society animal care, and drug and feed company technical service and sales. (source: AVMA.org)