About the Program
Turn your passion for animals into a career by working alongside veterinarians, assisting with surgeries, and taking x-rays of animals big and small. As the only 4-year AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technician program on the West Coast, you'll graduate ready to take the VTNE and become a licensed registered veterinary technologist (RVTg).
The Polytechnic Experience
Get hands-on with pets, horses and livestock on our 1,500-acre campus, or shadow vets in clinics and hospitals. Help keep animals healthy with dental exams and vaccines. Teach the community about animal care, from life cycles to nutrition, to deepen your knowledge and see what’s possible with your degree.
Career Outcomes
Program Emphasis
Courses
Cal Poly Pomona's Bachelor of Science in Animal Health Science offers extensive hands-on experience, including taking x-rays and assisting in surgeries, preparing you to become a veterinary technologist. The program enables graduates to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and become licensed as registered veterinary technologists (RVTg). Students gain practical experience with small animals and farm animals on a 1,500-acre campus and through off-campus externships. The curriculum includes courses tailored to careers in private practice, research, public health, or business administration, covering areas like animal nutrition, dentistry, and preventive medicine.
Veterinary Technician National Exam Passing Rates
Effective March 1, 2014, all veterinary technician applicants are required to take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to be licensed in the state of California. In April 2019, the California Veterinary Medical Board discontinued the California State RVT exam as a requirement for licensure.
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Exam Data |
July 15, 2022- |
|---|---|
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Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE |
41 |
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Three-Year VTNE Pass Percentage (%) |
90% |
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Three-Year VTNE Pass Percentage (%) National Average |
68% |
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Huntley Scholarships
Through the support of loyal alumni and donors, the Huntley College is proud to offer several scholarships based on academic interest. While these scholarships vary in the award range, the Huntley College is committed to every student having the opportunity to pursue an exceptional and affordable education at Cal Poly Pomona.
What's the Difference?
Animal Science vs. Animal Health Science
The Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture offers both Animal Science and Animal Health Science as separate degrees. Each degree has advantages for different careers within the animal care industry. If you’re not sure which is right for you, we’ll explain the difference.