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The information above reflects the 2025-2026 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

• Summarize the knowledge necessary to function within the scope of the practice of a Licensed Veterinary Technician.
• Develop appropriate decision making in providing excellent patient care, as an entry-level veterinary technician.
• Demonstrate clinical competence through successful completion of essential clinical skills as required by the program.
• Model professional behavior and clinical communication skills in order to responsibly contribute to the veterinary healthcare team.

Admission

YVC’s Veterinary Technology program starts a class of students each fall. Admission is based on completion of program prerequisites including high school and/or college coursework, letters of recommendation, plus veterinary clinic observation or veterinary work experience.

Applications should be received by May 1 to be considered for the following fall quarter.

Transcripts

• Request an official transcript from each high school attended. Send the transcripts directly to the Veterinary Technology program.
• Request two (2) official transcripts from each college attended. One copy should be emailed to the YVC Admission Office and the other emailed to the Veterinary Technology program. There is a request for transcript of credits form in the Veterinary Technology Application Packet which can be used for this purpose. You must make these requests as we cannot make them for you.

The applicant is solely responsible for obtaining transcripts for YVC files. No acceptance evaluation can be made until transcripts have been supplied.

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the Veterinary Technology Program at Yakima Valley College. This website is designed to help you understand the requirements for entry into the program and to assist you in meeting those requirements. The Veterinary Technology Program is designed to prepare you for a career as a licensed veterinary technician. This is a full-time, 2-year program which starts each fall.

Please refer to the Veterinary Technology Application Checklist to help you keep track of meeting all admission requirements. It is important that you complete and forward all application materials by the primary due date of May 1 each year.
Free application for financial aid is available for all applicants. Visit our Financial Aid page for more information. As the program is a full-course load we have found for students to be successful, outside work-load should amount to no more than ten (10) hours per week.

We are excited to help you meet your career goal and join the rewarding field of veterinary medicine. Please call of us or the Program Coordinator, Lori Ferguson, at 509.574.6810 if you have questions about the application process or the profession.

Sincerely,

Joanna Fischer, DVM
Veterinary Technology Program Director
509-574-4759
 jfischer@yvcc.edu

Prerequisites and support courses are listed in the

Prerequisites

• High school diploma or GED
• One year of high school biology (with a B or better) or BIOL&160 at YVC (or its equivalent) with a grade of C or better, completed within 5 years of program entry.
• CHEM&121 with a grade of C or better, completed within 5 years of program entry
• MATH&107 with a grade of C or better, completed within 5 years of program entry
•  ENGL&101/BA138/PTECH120 (choose ONE) with a grade of C or better, completed within 5 years of program entry
• IT100 or BT101 (or equivalent) with a grade of C or better, completed within 5 years of program entry

Additional Requirements

• Fifty (50) hours of clinical observation or work experience with a veterinarian within the last three years. This may be paid or volunteer, and does not include time working on your own animals.
• Three (3) completed reference forms. One must be from the veterinarian with whom experience was gained.

Support Courses

Support courses are those required for the AAS degree but can be taken prior to entry in the Vet Tech Program. Students are encouraged, but not required, to take the support courses before entering the program. Otherwise the courses will be included in the program of study, which may include a summer session. Any credits to be considered for the degree must have been completed with a grade of C- (1.7) or better within five (5) years of entrance into the program. Students with older coursework will have their transcripts evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• AGSCI 130: Introduction to Animal Science 5 Cr
• VET 101: Introduction to Veterinary Technology 2 Cr
• VET 152: Safety & OSHA 2 Cr

Application Process

A copy of the application packet may be downloaded from the links below, by contacting the Veterinary Technology Program by email, by phone (509.574.4759 or 509.574.6810), or by mail (Veterinary Technology Program, YVC, PO Box 22520, Yakima WA 989027-2520).

A criminal history background check will be performed upon admission into the program. Students must be accepted for general admission to the college to be considered for the Veterinary Technology Program. Acceptance notification from the Veterinary Technology Program is sent separate from YVC Admissions Office.

Apply to College

Students must be accepted for general admission to the college to be considered for the Veterinary Technology Program. Acceptance notification from the Veterinary Technology Program is sent separately from Admissions Office for the college itself.

Apply to YVC

Apply to Veterinary Program

The application is available online or you may download and complete the paper version of the application. Paper versions must be postmarked by May 1st  to be considered in the primary application selections.

• The primary deadline is May 1 of each year.
• Applications are accepted after the primary deadline. Depending on space availability, students may be accepted into the program after the due date.
• All prerequisites must be completed by August 10 each year unless an extension is granted. (Prerequisites and support course are listed in the )

Use this checklist to help you track the requirements you must complete prior to entering the program. The primary deadline is May 1 each year and all materials and required forms must be returned by this date to be included in the first round of acceptance. Late applications are accepted but will be reviewed on a space-available basis only.

1. Apply to YVC for college admission. As you apply to the college a selection of a pathway is required. Vet Tech is part of the Healthcare Pathway. If you are currently attending YVC you do not need to fill out the form again. Students who have not attended for four or more quarters will need to reapply. Acceptance for college admission is required for admission to the Vet Tech Program. A $30 application fee is required, which is applied to your tuition costs upon entrance.
2. Complete and send the Veterinary Technology Program Application form to the Veterinary Technology Program.
3. Complete, sign, and submit Informed Acknowledgement & Consent to Hazards and Risks form. Included in the online application or if submitting a paper form, see link below.
4. Request a transcript from each high school attended. Send the official transcript to the Veterinary Technology Program. If you graduated from high school more than five (5) years ago, a transcript is not required but a copy of your high school diploma or GED should be substituted for the transcript. If you are still in school, send a current transcript with your application by the due date and your final transcript upon graduation.
5. Request official transcript from each college attended for Veterinary Technology Program. Indicate your legal name and maiden name (if applicable) on the request for these transcripts, using the form in the link below. If you are still in school, send a current transcript with your application by the due date and your final transcript upon completion.
6. Request official transcript from each college attended for YVC’s Admission Office. Indicate your present name and maiden name (if applicable) on the request for these transcripts, using the form in the link below.
7. Provide a copy of your placement for Math and English. Scores are valid for 12 months only. If you have current college courses in Math, English, and Reading, placement scores are not required, only a transcript.
8. Submit three (3) reference forms with the application. One form must be done by the veterinarian where the clinical hours are completed. No references are accepted from family members. Please use the form in the link below.
9. Review Prerequisites to ensure you have completed them or will complete prior to the Fall Quarter start date.
10. Contact the Veterinary Technology Program if you have questions, 509.574.4759 or 509.574.6810.

Upon acceptance into the program students must complete a Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen.

Pursuant to , employees and volunteers who provide service to developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults, and/or children under the age of 16, must successfully pass Washington State Patrol criminal history background check, as a condition for licensing or certification. In addition, all applicants must submit to, pass a background check, and drug screen through Verified Credentials at the student’s expense. You may be ineligible to pursue certification or licensure in your profession based on the results of the criminal history background checks.

Further, students who are enrolled in an educational program that requires field work experience, clinical training, laboratory experience, or an externship wherein the student will be required to provide service to developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults and/or children under the age of 16, will be required to pass a criminal history background check prior to clearance for entry to that field work experience, clinical training, laboratory experience, or externship. Inability to participate due to information obtained from the criminal history background checks may result in a student’s ineligibility to complete the program requirements. 

The student will be notified immediately if problems are identified. Because certain convictions may prevent you from being eligible for certification/licensure in the profession, it is possible that you could be admitted to, and successfully complete the program and still be denied certification/licensure. In addition, evidence of a positive Criminal History may result in disqualification for the Veterinary Technology Program and/or the inability to complete the program. A Background Check or Drug Screen may be conducted on more than one occasion during your tenure in the program.

If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to pass the criminal history background check & drug screen, pursue your education, or practice in the profession, please make arrangements for a confidential appointment with the Director of the Veterinary Technology program by calling 509.574.4759.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease that if acquired and left untreated, is deadly.
Washington State Department of Health (WaDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that, due to increased risk of exposure, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and those working in the veterinary field be vaccinated against rabies.

In order to remain in accreditation compliance with the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities it is the policy of Â鶹ÊÓƵ (YVC) Veterinary Technology Program (VTP) to highly recommend the full series pre-exposure (PrEP) human rabies vaccines recommended by the CDC for all students prior to working with live animals.

Students that choose not to become fully vaccinated and/or have a documented medical contraindication or religious exemption from receiving the rabies vaccine must understand their increased risk of contracting rabies.  

Fully vaccinated students will be able to work with both vaccinated and unvaccinated animals.  Unvaccinated students will only be allowed to work with fully vaccinated animals.  As many of our animal sources cannot provide fully vaccinated animals for student use, unvaccinated students may not be able to complete the skills required for course completion or graduation.  It will not be the College’s or Program’s responsibility to provide vaccinated animals.

For more information, refer to the full Veterinary Technology Rabies Procedure or direct questions to the Director of the Veterinary Technology Program

Twenty-five (25) students are accepted into the program each fall. All applications are reviewed and evaluated. Criteria for selection include an academic performance with special emphasis on science and math prerequisites and those courses taken at the college level, veterinary experience, references, support and advanced courses taken, and work experience. Fluency in a second language and special extenuating circumstances are also considered.

The 25 students with the greatest point totals will be offered admission into the program. Additional offerings will be extended in consecutive order to remaining applicants if any of the initial 25 students selected decide not to attend the program. In the situation of a tie, preference will go to the student with the most veterinary experience and highest academic rating. Students not selected can reapply for admission in following years.