How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New Mexico

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Do you want to become a vet tech in New Mexico?

If that is the case, you should read the guide below for info about licensing and training.

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Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in New Mexico

As a vet tech, there are many tasks you are required to complete every day.

The tasks vary according to where you work, but some are similar and include the following:

  • Administering medications
  • Taking x-rays,
  • Processing tissue samples,
  • Assisting in surgery and emergency care
  • Performing lab tests
  • Teeth cleaning,
  • Electrocardiography,
  • Bandaging,
  • Wound cleaning,
  • Keeping detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico

In New Mexico, you can start looking for a job in the field as soon as you have enough experience with animals.

If you need more experience, you will have to train first and get a degree.

You can train by attending a college program that ends in a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science degree.

Programs for vet techs in New Mexico can vary between 2 and 3 years.

Keep in mind that the school you choose should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

A different idea is to apply for a degree in Animal Science with vet tech specialization.

You meet the clinical practice requirement by attending an internship or an externship.

The schools below will provide additional info about the training programs in New Mexico.

Top 6 Schools in New Mexico

School NameAddress
Brown Mackie College-Albuquerque10500 Cooper Ave NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123
Central New Mexico Community College525 Buena Vista SE Albuquerque, NM 87106
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus52 University Blvd, Roswell, New Mexico 88202-6000
Navajo Technical UniversityState Hwy 37, Navajo Route 9 PO Box 849 Crownpoint, NM 87313
Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque4400 Cutler Avenue NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
San Juan College4601 College Blvd. Farmington, NM 87402

To be able to attend a vet tech training program, you have to:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • An essay
  • Future students must complete these classes right before enrolling in the degree program:
    • Biology,
    • English composition,
    • Math,
    • Basic computer science,
    • Psychology,
    • Humanities,
  • 2 letters of recommendation
    • One of them must come from a veterinarian
  • Health insurance
  • Buying a medical malpractice policy
  • 360 hours of previous practical experience

Scholarships are also available to those students who need help with covering their tuition.

The most common subjects you will take include:

  • Introduction to veterinary technology
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Emergency care and first aid
  • Pathology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Radiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Parasitology
  • Toxicology
  • Nutrition

Along with theory, you also need to attend 20 hours of practice in an animal facility.

The last semester of the training program is a preceptorship.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in New Mexico

In this state, vet techs are licensed by the New Mexico State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

To be eligible for the vet tech license in New Mexico, you have to submit:

  • An application form
  • Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
  • To pay a fee
    • $300 for the exam
    • $100 for the license

You will need to score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

The VTNE test has 170 questions, that students need to complete in 3 hours.

You also have to get an ATT (Authorization to Test) to take the exam.

In New Mexico, you need to keep your license valid by renewing it annually.

To do that, you are required to attend 8 additional hours of education.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 30% growth in jobs in the vet tech industry in the upcoming years.

If you are wondering how much a vet tech earns in this state, you should know it depends on several factors.

First of all, you can get employed in places such as:

  • Private clinical practices
  • Zoos
  • Veterinary teaching hospitals
  • Rescue centers
  • Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
  • Humane societies,
  • Research facilities,
  • Feedlots,
  • Pharmaceutical companies

The other factors include the region where you live, as salaries are usually higher in metropolitan areas.

Annual Salary Range:
$28K
$33K
$40K

Average Salary of Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico

City NameSalary
Albuquerque$34,697
Las Cruces$31,503
Santa Fe$35,023
Rio Rancho$34,586
Roswell$32,503
Farmington$34,304
Alamogordo$33,059
Clovis$33,387
Hobbs$33,085
Carlsbad$32,503
* Salary information last updated 2024

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico

If you are looking for additional vet tech resources for this state, have a look at the following:

  • New Mexico Veterinary Technician Association
  • New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association
  • National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
  • Veterinary Career Network
  • Vet Tech Life
  • Vetcetera,
  • Where Techs Connect
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