How to Become a Vet Assistant in 2026 (Steps, Salary & Training)

To become a veterinary assistant you need three things: hands-on clinical training, a certification employers recognize, and your first clinic job. No state license or four-year degree required. Here is the full path. In this video we break down exactly how to become a veterinary assistant: what the job involves day to day, how a veterinary assistant differs from a registered veterinary technician (RVT) and a veterinarian, whether you need a license or a degree, how much veterinary assistants earn, and the five practical steps to get hired. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary assistants earn a median of about $37,320 per year, and the field is projected to grow around 9 percent, faster than the average for all occupations. The Academy of Pet Careers is a vocational pet-career trade school in St. Charles, Missouri. Our Veterinary Assistant program is a five-month, in-person semester taught by a Registered Veterinary Technician, covering surgical assisting, pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, exotic care, and large-animal care. Graduates earn the APC Certified Veterinary Assistant (APC-VA) credential. Please note: a veterinary assistant is not a licensed veterinary technician, and no career outcome or salary is guaranteed. 👉 Learn more about the APC Veterinary Assistant program: https://www.theacademyofpetcareers.co... Chapters 0:00 How do you become a vet assistant? 0:20 What does a veterinary assistant actually do? 1:07 Vet assistant vs. vet tech vs. veterinarian 1:47 Do you need a license or a degree? 2:18 How much do vet assistants make? 2:54 The 5 steps to become a vet assistant 4:06 How long does training take? 5:03 Is this career right for you? The Academy of Pet Careers | 3550 West Clay Street, St. Charles, MO 63301 | (636) 778-4989 #VetAssistant #VeterinaryAssistant #PetCareers #VetCareers #CareerChange