How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Indiana (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Indiana employs about 1,820 veterinary technologists earning a median $48,720 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 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Indiana employs approximately 1,820 veterinary technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,720 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Indiana

How to become a Veterinary Technologist in Indiana? Complete an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, the VTNE, and state RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana 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 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana licenses veterinary technicians through Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 4. You also pass the VTNE. See the licensing section below.

What do veterinary technologists earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Indiana is $48,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,820 and experienced professionals can earn $59,490 or more 1.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Indiana

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Veterinary technology programs in Indiana 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 Indiana RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure. Apply through Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana 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 Technologist License Requirements in Indiana

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners licenses veterinary technicians in Indiana 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 Indiana RVT, LVT, or CVT licensure.

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

Veterinary Technologist Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin3,250$47,820$51,810$39,060$62,670
Cincinnati1,040$48,380$48,450$35,330$61,460
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood600$49,710$49,060$38,060$58,810
Louisville/Jefferson County500$44,710$42,340$31,420$50,820
Lafayette-West Lafayette190$52,160$51,700$44,190$62,810
Fort Wayne100$48,430$47,030$37,600$57,250
South Bend-Mishawaka80$47,440$47,990$38,910$56,970
Evansville70$48,220$46,180$33,640$58,630
Bloomington40$45,190$45,970$39,140$57,590
Elkhart-Goshen30$45,790$45,010$31,550$58,740
Michigan City-La Porte30$47,230$48,290$37,730$58,980

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 Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 1,820 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do veterinary technologists earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technologists in Indiana is $48,720, which is $2,740 above the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Indiana

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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. Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.in.gov/pla/boards.htm ↩︎ ↩︎

  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)