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Note:

EFSC classes normally held in Building 20 on the Cocoa Campus are canceled tonight because of an A/C issue. This only impacts classes held in this one Cocoa Health Sciences building, home to EFSC's dental programs.

Veterinary Technology A.S.

Train to be a Veterinary Technician

Come see what we're all about at the Vet Tech Club sponsored Open House on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM at Cocoa Campus, Building 21.

Open House Info & RSVP

Eastern Florida State College offers a two-year Associate in Science degree in Veterinary Technology. The curriculum includes relevant general education courses and Veterinary Technology courses that prepare graduates to work as Veterinary Technicians.

Veterinary Technology associate degree program students complete at least two years of academic study, including clinical practice under the supervision of EFSC faculty in the college's veterinary clinical facility and designated external clinical sites. General education courses and support courses should be completed prior to admission to the program. The program courses are sequential and require a commitment to attend classes.

The Veterinary Technology program begins every Fall Term, with an annual application deadline of April 15.

The program is limited access and requires a special application process in addition to the general EFSC admissions process. A one-year Veterinary Assisting College Credit Certificate is also available, as part of the Veterinary Technology A.S. program, or as a full-time, stand-alone certificate program.

For more information on EFSC's Veterinary Technology A.S. degree program, click on the categories below. Individuals considering veterinary technician as a career should enjoy working with animals and helping to care for them. A willingness to study and an aptitude for medical and science-oriented courses is necessary.

Program Information

Accreditation and Certification

The Veterinary Technology program operates under the guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, and the Florida Department of Education certification standards for Veterinary Technology.

A graduate of the Veterinary Technology program is qualified to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Upon successful completion of the board, the graduate is designated as a Certified Veterinary Technician in the State of Florida. Continuing education credits and renewal every two years are required to maintain the certification.  Certification in Florida is offered through both the Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA) and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA).

vet cert logo

American Veterinary Medical Association
Division of Education and Research
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360
Phone: 800-248-2862
Fax: 847-925-1329  

Areas of Training

Review the document on live animal use in the EFSC Veterinary Technology program.

Areas of our training that prepares students to work as veterinary technicians include:

  • Administration of medication and vaccines
  • Anesthesiology
  • Biomedical Research
  • Client Education
  • Clinical Laboratory procedures
  • Dental Prophylaxis
  • Office/Hospital Management
  • Patient History
  • Physical Examination
  • Radiology
  • Surgical Assisting

Career Opportunities

The first job for about 85% of graduate veterinary technicians is in a private veterinary practice, with companion animal practice leading the list. However, the demand for veterinary technicians in other fields is rapidly growing. Opportunities exist in the following areas:

  • Biomedical Research
  • Diagnostic Laboratories
  • Herd Health Managers
  • Humane Societies
  • Industry
  • Military Service
  • Teaching
  • Zoo/Wildlife Medicine

Mission Statement

The Veterinary Technology program at Eastern Florida State College recruits and educates quality candidates who will integrate knowledge, clinical skills, problem solving/critical thinking and professional behavior to become caring, qualified and competent entry level veterinary nurses.

Skills and Duties

Veterinary technicians, primarily function as professional technical support to veterinarians, biomedical researchers and other scientists who must maintain high standards of animal care. To do so and to meet the technical demands of an expanding veterinary profession, a good veterinary team is required. The veterinary technician is a very important member of this team. They are also educated to be laboratory technicians, radiography technicians, anesthetists, surgical techs and client educators. Academic training is required to gain the competencies and skills needed to perform these duties. EFSC is one of only three such on-campus academic training programs in Florida.

Please review the essential functions for the Veterinary Technology program.

Technical Performance Standards

Successful participation and completion of this program requires that applicants meet the demands of the program. Please review the performance standards.


Meet a Veterinary Graduate

 
Shannon Dumont

Shannon Dumont

Certified Veterinary Technician
SPCA, Titusville

"At EFSC, the in-depth classes included lots of hands-on care, both with our own animals and from local shelters — that was the best training. I got a job immediately after graduation, and I so appreciate helping people who want to adopt and care for animals."