How long does veterinary technologist training take in Arkansas?

Most people become a Veterinary Technologist in Arkansas through an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Arkansas (2026)

Q: How much do veterinary technologists earn in Arkansas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technologists in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,360. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.30 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do veterinary technologists need a license in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technologists, administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for veterinary technologists in Arkansas?

Arkansas currently employs approximately 320 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $38,360 ($18.44/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 320 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.0% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,360 ($18.44/hr)
25th percentile: $32,360 per year
75th percentile: $43,940 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $47,820 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $27,250 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 320
Versus national median: -19.0% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.30 - this occupation is less concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Arkansas employs about 320 veterinary technologists earning a median $38,360 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Veterinary Technologist here means completing an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure, then applying through Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Arkansas employs approximately 320 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,360 ¹. Nationally, veterinary technologist 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 Technologist in Arkansas, 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: Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Exam: VTNE
Median wage (Arkansas): $38,360 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Arkansas

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in Arkansas? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board. 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 Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas licenses veterinary technicians through Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board ⁴. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Arkansas is $38,360 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,250 and experienced professionals can earn $47,820 or more ¹.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Arkansas

Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Arkansas typically require a high school diploma or GED.
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.
Pass the VTNE. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination. See the AAVSB VTNE ³ for current exam rules.
Apply for Arkansas RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board. 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 Technologist License Requirements in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board licenses veterinary technicians in Arkansas ⁴. Most candidates complete an AVMA-accredited program ⁵ and pass the VTNE ³.

Typical veterinary technician path

Finish high school or a GED.
Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
Pass the VTNE.
Apply for Arkansas RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	260	$39,710	$43,090	$33,640	$55,350
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	70	$40,770	$40,770	$27,210	$55,100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	70	$39,070	$39,490	$27,410	$50,550

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 technologists in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 320 veterinary technologists ¹. Nationally, veterinary technologist employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a veterinary technologist in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Arkansas is $38,360, which is $7,620 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arkansas

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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

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
AAVSB - Veterinary Technician National Examination: https://www.aavsb.org/vtne ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board - Licensing Information: https://www.arvetboard.statesolutions.us ↩︎ ↩︎
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.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / 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)