Press Release                                                                                                                        
Date: July 24, 2025
Contact: lgarrett@tctc.edu

Tri-County’s Veterinary Technology Program Reports 100% Pass Rate on Veterinary Technician National Examination

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College’s Veterinary Technology program reports a 100% pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

All 10 of the 2025 Veterinary Technology graduates passed this national credentialing exam. This is a first for the department.

After earning an associate degree in Veterinary Technology from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited program like Tri-County’s, graduates must pass the national credentialing exam before they are eligible to take the computerized state licensure exam to become licensed veterinary technicians.

The national average pass rate for the VTNE is 70%, said Stephanie Brown, licensed veterinary technician, director for TCTC’s Veterinary Technology program, an alumna of the program and veteran educator of 22 years.           

The VTNE, administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, is a timed, computer-adaptive test consisting of 170 questions that cover the graduates’ knowledge about the following content areas: Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Surgical Nursing, Dentistry, Laboratory Procedures, Animal Care and Nursing, Diagnostic Imaging, Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine/Critical Care and Pain Management/Analgesia and Communication and Veterinary Professional Support Services.

Several years ago, Brown created two new courses to enhance student outcomes on the VTNE. The first-time pass rate for TCTC students on the VTNE has shown consistent improvement, thanks in part to the introduction of VET 290 Senior Integrated Learning, a capstone course implemented in fall 2020. This course has played a significant role in better preparing students for the exam by reinforcing core concepts and strengthening their test-taking skills, Brown said.

Licensed veterinary technicians, or LVTs, work closely with veterinarians and other members of the veterinary team to deliver quality animal health care.  Today’s profession requires advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of animal nursing and critical care, inducing and monitoring anesthesia, assisting in surgery, postoperative care and recovery, diagnostic imaging, zoonotic disease, client education, hospital management and laboratory duties.  

Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.           

“The need far outweighs the availability of licensed technicians,” said Brown.

“We are graduating excellent students who are receiving amazing job offers,” said Brown. 

Graduates may pursue careers in a variety of areas, not just private practice, said Brown. “We have graduates working in zoos around the country, including the National Zoo, Sea World, specialty and emergency medicine, and general practices, as well as with corporate industry leaders,” said Brown. “I get calls and emails from all across the country hoping to hire one of our veterinary technician graduates because they have heard how competent and well prepared our students are for the work force.”  

Tri-County's program is accredited by the AVMA and endorsed by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians. 

About Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, industrial electronics, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu.               

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