High school students earn the Veterinary Assistant (VA) title by completing (100 lessons, lesson questions, and 50 activities) in an apprenticeship (500 hours, clinical or non-clinical) under professional supervision.
Step 1: Determine which career track(s) to teach.
- Clinical: companion, livestock, and exotic animal health.
Students following this track earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title and ARE eligible for certification through the TVMA by examination. - One Health: animal, human, and environmental health.
Students following this track earn the veterinary assistant title, but are NOT eligible for certification. - Laboratory: animal health research and diagnostics.
Students following this track earn the veterinary assistant title, but are NOT eligible for certification.
Step 2: Purchase curriculum needed for career track.
Print materials: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore – 979-985-5259
Web-based materials: Texas A&M AgriLife Conference Services – 979-985-5259
- Students complete 100 lessons (75 core lessons and 25 lessons in their chosen track: clinical, One Health, or 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 Options |
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| Track | Option 1: Clinical |
Option 1: One Health |
Option 1: Laboratory |
| Option 1: includes both print books and online teacher resource |
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| Track | Option 2: Clinical |
Option 2: One Health |
Options 2: Laboratory |
| Option 2: includes online curriculum only (no print books needed) |
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Step 3: Complete 500 apprenticeship hours.
- Clinical track only: Ag science teachers are able to teach 200 of the 500 clinical skill hours in the classroom.
- Teacher training is available to demonstrate how to teach clinical skills to students.
- Students in the One Health and laboratory tracks complete all 500 under a professional in that field (e.g., diagnostician or regulatory professional)
Step 4: Earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title.
- Students who complete the curriculum (75 core lessons and 25 lessons in chosen career track) earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title and certificate in their track.
– Clinical Veterinary Assistant Certificate
– One Health Veterinary Assistant Certificate
– Laboratory Veterinary Assistant Certificate
Step 5: Apply for TVMA certification – $135 (clinical track only).
- High School CVA Level I Exam Application Form and Skills Validation Checklist.
- Students who pass the exam earn the certified veterinary assistant (CVA) title and receive a certificate from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA). The exam is $135 per student.
High school implementation
Texas Education Agency: 19 TAC Chapter 130. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
- Subchapter A. Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
– Veterinary Medical Application (One Credit), Adopted 2015.
Option:
– Year 1: complete curriculum (100 lessons, 50 activities, begin 200 classroom skill hours) = one credit
– Year 2: complete work-based learning veterinary clinic (300 hours under DVM, or LVT) = one to three credits