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Best VET Assistant certifications
Vet assistant certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an vet assistant to employers. However, not all vet assistant certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a vet assistant are Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, and Dental Assistant (RDA).
Below is a list of the best vet assistant certifications. Obtaining an vet assistant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
17 best certifications for vet assistants
| Rank | VET Assistant certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | American Red ... |
| 2 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 3 | Dental Assistant (RDA) | AMT |
| 4 | Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) | National Boar... |
| 5 | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA |
| 6 | Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA) | NHA |
| 7 | Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) | CCPDT |
| 8 | Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) | AALAS |
| 9 | Surgery | ABPS |
| 10 | Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) | AHRA |
| 11 | Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) | NCCT |
| 12 | Registered Medical Assistant | APA |
| 13 | Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) | NBSTSA |
| 14 | Medication Aide Certification (MACE) | NCSBN |
| 15 | Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT/RALAT) | AALAS |
| 16 | Patient Care Technician | APA |
| 17 | Equipment Management Specialist (EMS) | AEMP |
17 best vet assistant certifications
1. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
2. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
3. Dental Assistant (RDA)
A Dental Assistant is an integral member of the dental health team, competent via education, experience, and understanding of patient welfare. The Dental Assistant is qualified to provide support in administrative duties: chairside, laboratory, and radiological procedures, as defined by existing state laws. As an agent of the Dentist, the Dental Assistant strives to cultivate good will and confidence within the dental practice.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)
The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)
A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
A trainer who has received the Certified Pet Dog Trainer credential has met eligibility requirements and has successfully demonstrated his or her knowledge by passing the certification exam. To meet eligibility requirements, candidate trainers must have: at least 300 hours experience in dog training within the last five years; a high school diploma or equivalent; and one reference each from a veterinarian, a client, and a professional colleague. The certification testing covers knowledge of dog behavior and application of training techniques.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)
The technician certification designations of ALAT, LAT, and LATG are well known and widely used throughout the varied fields of laboratory animal care. In fact, these certifications have come to be a common requirement for a lab animal care position.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
9. Surgery
The ABPS surgery board certification exams enable successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in surgery. Completing the surgery board certification exams indicates mastery of surgery experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 8 year(s)
10. Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA)
As a medical imaging administrator, you face a number of difficult challenges. One of them is having people recognize your skills and capabilities. The Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) designation speaks volumes about the high standards of achievement you've attained for the profession of radiology administration. The CRA is the only professional credential tailored specifically for radiology administrators, focusing on human resource management, asset resource management, fiscal management, operations management, and communication and information management-expertise you bring to the job each day. The CRA program, including the examination, is managed by the Radiology Administration Certification Commission (RACC), a self-governing body created to maintain the credential's integrity and relevance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
11. Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
Medical Office Assistants typically perform administrative duties for health care providers in office settings, although some may also perform basic clinical tasks (as allowed by state laws). Their responsibilities will vary by employer, but may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing or bookkeeping.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
12. Registered Medical Assistant
Registered Medical Assistant : EDUCATION or Experienced 1. Completion of an Approved Medical Assistant Program 2. Minimum of 200 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Physician's Office or Urgent Care Center 4. Or A Minimum of 1 Year of MA Experience in Physician's Office 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
13. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
The choice to become certified demonstrates pride in the profession and a desire to be recognized for mastery of skills unique to surgical technology, as well as an on-going commitment to quality patient care.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
14. Medication Aide Certification (MACE)
The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) is a national medication aide certification examination administered to nurse aides who choose to receive additional training to become certified medication aides. NCSBN develops the MACE examination and administers the exam with the contractual assistance of Pearson VUE. Once certified, these medication aides serve an important role in hospitals and long-term care facilities by helping distribute medications and monitoring for adverse reactions.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
15. Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT/RALAT)
The technician certification designations of ALAT, LAT, and LATG are well known and widely used throughout the varied fields of laboratory animal care. In fact, these certifications have come to be a common requirement for a lab animal care position.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
16. Patient Care Technician
1. Completion of an Approved Patient Care Technician Program 2. Minimum of 80 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Phlebotomy 4. Must Be Certified Nursing Assistant 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
17. Equipment Management Specialist (EMS)
The Equipment Management Specialist designation is a recognized standard for developing the qualifications of a person involved with equipment in a private, municipal, or government fleet within the first five (5) years of career development.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
What is the best certification for a vet assistant?
The best vet assistant certification is Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is awarded by the American Red Cross. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this vet assistant certification:
- To become a certified Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for vet assistants?
The most in-demand vet assistant certification is Surgery based on all active job postings. Having this vet assistant certification will give you access to more vet assistant jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a vet assistant career and salary?
The Medical Assistant certification will help you to secure a medical assistant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A medical assistant's average salary is $32,314 whereas vet assistants make an average salary of $30,687.
The most common combination of vet assistant certifications include: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, and Dental Assistant (RDA).
Online courses for vet assistants to earn certifications
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6. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes
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14. Introduction to Cataract Surgery
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17. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
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19. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers
This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...
20. Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation
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