JJC Alert: There is scheduled urgent maintenance of our Colleague student system from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM today.
Our Colleague Student Self Service system (including payments and course registration) will be down. No other systems are expected to be impacted.
September 12, 2025 07:04:31
Become a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or a Veterinary Technician Assistant (VTA).
The Joliet Junior College Veterinary Medical Technology Program is fully accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Upon completion of the VMTP, graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) for licensure in Illinois through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR). The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) administers the examination. Certification requirements may vary from state to state. The A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology is not intended to meet the requirements for application to veterinary school to become a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).
The VMTP has special admissions criteria and limited enrollment. Questions? Please view our Admissions page.
As a Vet Tech student, you will be required to complete a rabies vaccination series before starting classes. Accepted students should obtain the vaccine after receiving their acceptance letters.
For degree seekers (to become a CVT): students should first apply to JJC, then apply to the vet tech program. For VTA certificate seekers: Students only need to apply to JJC; no special admission application is required.
Apply Between March 1 - June 1 each year
Vet Tech Admissions Criteria
Vet Tech Application
What Do I Need to Know About the VTA Certificate Program?
In order to be eligible for this course, students must have completed at least 8 grade levels of schooling, be at least 16 years of age, speak and understand the English language and be in good physical, mental and emotional health.
The JJC Veterinary Technology Program provides a comprehensive education in animal healthcare, preparing you for a rewarding career in veterinary medicine. You’ll gain hands-on experience with small and large animals while learning essential skills in areas such as surgical nursing, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, and laboratory techniques. Our program emphasizes compassionate care, critical thinking, and professional communication, ensuring you are well-equipped to work in diverse veterinary settings. With state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and real-world externship opportunities, you’ll graduate ready to make a difference in the lives of animals and their owners.
JJC has onsite kennels and a large animal facility, making it possible for hands-on learning. Students also complete clinical rotations and two externships. JJC also offers one of the few study abroad opportunities for vet tech programs in the nation.
An AAS in Veterinary Medical Technology and certification through VTNE testing will provide unique career opportunities, including:
| January 1, 2022 - December 31 , 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE | 126 |
| Three-year VTNE pass percentage | 63.49% |
Give a gift and support JJC Vet Tech animals in need.
Cats and dogs from local animal shelters are brought to campus each semester, where they are cared for by vet tech students and faculty, until they are adopted to good homes.
Email: apanozzo@jjc.edu
Phone: 815.280.2286
Email: merickso@jjc.edu
Phone: 815.280.2662
