Registered Vet Tech

This program at Bakersfield College helps students get ready for a career as a registered veterinary technician (RVT). Students learn about animal care, medicine, surgery, lab tests, and how to help during x-rays and procedures.

You’ll get hands-on training from expert teachers and real experience working with animals. After completing the program and 4,416 hours of work at a veterinary hospital, you can take the California RVT Licensing Exam. Once licensed, you can work in animal hospitals, shelters, or research labs, helping veterinarians care for animals.

What is Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)?

A registered veterinary technician, or RVT, is a trained and licensed professional who helps veterinarians care for animals. RVTs give medicine, help during surgeries, run lab tests, check anesthesia, and teach pet owners how to care for their animals.

To become an RVT, you need to finish a special college program approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and pass a state exam from the California Veterinary Medical Board. RVTs are an important part of the animal care team and help keep animals healthy and safe.

Is Registered Veterinary Technician right for me?

Becoming an RVT is a great choice if you love animals and want to help care for them. RVTs work closely with vets and pet owners, so being a good communicator is important. You’ll also need to pay attention to details, stay organized, and be able to handle busy or stressful situations.

RVTs should be comfortable lifting heavy animals and working with different kinds of animals like dogs, cats, birds, and even exotic pets. You should also enjoy science and math, since RVTs often measure medicine and read lab results.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Love animals and want to help them
• Work well with others and communicate clearly
• Pay close attention to details
• Can stay calm in fast-paced situations
• Are strong enough to lift animals
• Are interested in science and math

This career can be both challenging and rewarding for people who enjoy caring for animals.

Registered Vet Tech Certificate

Select the certificate title for the catalog description and requirements.

Registered Veterinary Technician JSC

This Job Skills Certificate (JSC) helps students get ready for the California RVT Licensing Exam. Students must also complete the required clinic hours by working in a veterinary hospital or clinic.

Paying For Education

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With a Job Skills Certificate, RVTs can work in many places that care for animals. These include animal hospitals, clinics, shelters, research labs, and even zoos. Some RVTs also work in special areas like pet dental care, animal eye care, or emergency rooms.

With more training and experience, RVTs can move into jobs as team leaders, managers, teachers, or researchers. They can also earn extra certificates in special areas like anesthesia or dentistry.

Becoming an RVT is a great way to start a caring and exciting career helping animals in many different settings.

Registered Vet Tech License Requirements

The Registered Veterinary Technician program has two required aspects in order for a student to obtain an RVT license.

Requirement One

Students must complete the following nine required courses:

1. Introduction to Veterinary Technology
   1. This course must be completed first before the student is eligible to take the subsequent required courses.
2. Surgery, Dental, Anesthesiology
3. Clinical Pathology
4. Pharmacology
5. Small Animal Diseases
6. Large Animal Diseases
7. Radiology, Ultrasound, Diagnostic Imaging
8. Caged Birds, Lab Animals, Exotic Animal Medicine
9. Emergency Medicine

Requirement Two

Students are required to complete 4,416 hours of work experience in veterinary hospitals under a licensed veterinarian.

If the student is already employed in a veterinary hospital when they begin the program then they are able to start their work experience hours immediately after starting the first course, Introduction to Veterinary Technology.

Work experience hours must be collected and "signed off" at a veterinary hospital under a licensed Veterinarian using the RVT Task List form. Multiple forms can be completed to list work done at multiple hospitals. *Students are responsible for finding their own internship to do their clinical hours.

The National Boards exam must be taken and passed for the student to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician and an application must be submitted to the State of California office in Sacramento.  In addition, applicants are required to pay the submission fees to receive a State of California Registered Veterinary Technician license.

Information and Resources

Career Education/Work Experience

Student’s needing assistance with searching for work experience hours to count for the State of California license exam, please contact the Bakersfield College Work Experience office at (661) 395-4402 or stop by the office located in the Family and Consumer Education (FACE) Building, Room 16.

College Counseling and Career Advising

Stay up to date by ensuring you're on track to completing your course requirements for Registered Veterinary Technician and get connected to resources by talking with an Educational Advisor or Counselor. Visit the Counseling Center and Career Education advising team to book an appointment today. 

Additional Resources

Visit the California Veterinary Medical Association for more information about its Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVMA CVA) program to accredited Registered Veterinary Technician programs in California.

Academic Department: Agriculture

Career & Learning Pathway: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Culinary Arts

Courses: Animal Science (ANSC)