ANKENY, Iowa—Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Veterinary Technology students recently recorded a 100 percent pass rate when taking the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), the test used by most state and provincial agencies to evaluate the competency of entry-level veterinary technicians.

A passing score on the VTNE is required for a veterinary technician to be credentialed. The test is administered several times per year by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, which reported a national pass rate of 59.88 percent for the most recent testing window.

“I am so proud of our DMACC students,” said Amy Jo Fertig, DVM and Program Director of the Veterinary Technology Degree program at DMACC. “We had eight students sit for the exam in the last testing window, and all eight earned their board credentials. Additionally, our DMACC group recorded an average score of 83 percent in the exam’s pharmacology category, which is a very difficult domain. That is well above the national average.”

The DMACC Veterinary Technology program provides students with training in the latest advancements in veterinary technology. Both classroom lecture and hands-on instruction are utilized.

Of the 20 students in the 2018 graduating class of the DMACC Veterinary Technology program, nearly all have already earned board certification, with just one graduate remaining to take the VTNE during the next testing window. All 15 of the program’s 2017 graduates have been certified as well.

Veterinary technicians provide professional technical support to veterinarians, biomedical researchers and other scientists. Most DMACC Veterinary Technology graduates find work in small, mixed or large animal practices. Other opportunities exist in humane societies, animal shelters, zoos, specialty veterinary practices, pet shops, biological research labs, animal control agencies, veterinary teaching hospitals, and state and federal agencies.

(contributed article, DMACC)