How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Dakota employs about 340 veterinary technicians earning a median $48,790 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Veterinary Technician here means completing an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure, then applying through ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (North Dakota): $48,790/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in North Dakota: 340 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.97x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 9.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
  • Licensing/credentialing body: ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

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North Dakota employs approximately 340 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,790 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure
  • Licensing authority: ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
  • Exam: VTNE
  • Median wage (North Dakota): $48,790 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

How to become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. See the VTNE 3 for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Do I need a license in North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota licenses veterinary technicians through ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technicians earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in North Dakota is $48,790 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,960 and experienced professionals can earn $56,980 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in North Dakota typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. Enroll in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program 5. An associate degree is the common entry path; some students complete a bachelor’s. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE 3 for current exam rules.
  4. Apply for North Dakota RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Some states add a jurisprudence exam. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice. BLS groups veterinary technicians and technologists under one occupation; states license the credential, not that split.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Veterinary Technician License Requirements in North Dakota

The ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners licenses veterinary technicians in North Dakota 4. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program 5 and pass the VTNE 3.

Typical veterinary technician path

  1. Finish high school or a GED.
  2. Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
  3. Pass the VTNE.
  4. Apply for North Dakota RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

Hour totals, alternate routes, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the North Dakota veterinary medical board before you enroll.

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Fargo160$49,310$49,230$38,330$57,420
Bismarck50$51,390$50,980$37,200$63,320

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 340 veterinary technicians 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a veterinary technician in North Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Dakota.

How much do veterinary technicians earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in North Dakota is $48,790, which is $2,810 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In North Dakota

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. AAVSB - Veterinary Technician National Examination: https://www.aavsb.org/vtne ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. ND Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: http://ndbvme.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. AVMA - Veterinary Technology Programs: https://www.avma.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)