Learn about the 4-H Veterinary Science Certificate Program.
- 4-H students (ages 12-18) enroll in the county 4-H Veterinary Science Certificate Program and complete the program in 3 to 5 years.
- Students complete the curriculum and apprenticeship in their chosen career track.
- Students who complete both curriculum and apprenticeship receive Veterinary Assistant (VA) classification in their chosen career track.
- Graduates of the clinical track are eligible for certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) by examination.
Choose your career track. (The clinical track is the most popular choice.)
- Clinical track (companion, livestock, and exotic animal health) – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA) clinical
- One Health track (animal, human, and environmental health) – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA) One Health
- Laboratory track (animal health research and diagnostics) – classification Veterinary Assistant (VA) laboratory
Purchase the curriculum needed for your career track.
Print materials: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore – 979-985-5259
Web-based materials: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Vet Science) – 979-458-8692
- Students complete 100 lessons (75 core lessons and 25 lessons in their chosen track: 1) Clinical, 2) One Health, or 3) Laboratory).
- Students following the One Health or Laboratory tracks require the core curriculum and the supplemental book in that track.
Veterinary Science Certificate Program – Curriculum |
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Track | 1. Clinical |
2. One Health |
3. Laboratory |
Student Books |
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Online Teacher Resources |
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Complete 500 skill hours in an apprenticeship.
Students complete a minimum of 500 clinical skill hours in an apprenticeship under appropriate supervision.
- Veterinarian or LVT (clinical track) in veterinary practice.
- Students following the clinical track will use the 4-H CVA Level I Exam Application/Skill Validation Checklist to track required skills.
- One Health professional (One Health track) regulatory, environmental, animal, or human health related industry.
- Laboratory professional (laboratory track) diagnostic or research laboratory.
- Students following the One Health or Laboratory tracks earn the VA title but are NOT eligible for TVMA certification.
Earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title.
- Students who complete the program earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title and a completion of program certificate.
Apply for CVA certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) – $135
- Students who complete the clinical track are eligible for certification through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association by examination. Student will send the 4-H CVA Level I Exam Application/Skill Validation Checklist to the TVMA, along with a check for $135. Students who pass the exam earn the certified veterinary assistant title (CVA) and a certificate and patch from the TVMA.