Vet Science Project Information

Learn about the 4-H Veterinary Science Certificate Program.

This program provides the training and experience needed to receive a veterinary assistant certification. Students who finish the program are eligible to take the industry-based certification exam from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Veterinary Science Certificate Program. Planning to earn a degree in veterinary science? This program gives you a great start. There are several program tracks, ranging from clinical to laboratory. Once you have finished the core 100 lessons you may begin studying in your chosen track. The course culminates with a apprenticeship. 

• 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. This program can be expedited if the youth doing it is older (16 or older), but ALL youth must complete all requirements before graduation. 

• Students complete the curriculum and apprenticeship in their chosen career track.

• Students who complete the program are eligible to earn the veterinary assistant (VA) title and a completion of program certificate.

• Veterinary Assistant graduates are eligible to receive a veterinary assistant certificate of completion.

Purchase the curriculum.

Print materials can be found at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore
Web-based materials can be found at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Vet Science) website

Required Curriculum include:

• Veterinary Science: Preparatory Training for the Veterinary Assistant - $125

  • Required of ALL Participants

• One Health Science & Technology, - $75 (25 One Health lessons) 

  • Supplemental book for the One Health Track, (25 One Health lessons) 

  • Not Required

• Laboratory Science & Technology - $ $75

  • Supplemental book for the Lab Science and Technology Track (25 laboratory lessons) 

  • Not Required 

Basic Requirements

• Students complete 100 lessons

• Students following the One Health or Laboratory tracks require the core curriculum and the supplemental book in that track.

• Curriculum Education/Coursework is required for students in addition to the clinical skills.  A total of 200 hours of education/coursework of your choosing with an approved educator is required in addition to the 225 hands on clinical hours for a total of 425 hours for certification as a veterinary assistant.

Complete 225 skill hours in an apprenticeship.

• Students complete a minimum of 225 clinical skill hours in an apprenticeship under appropriate supervision

• Veterinarian, credentialed technician or LVT, CVT, RVT or LVMT in veterinary practice.  Students following the clinical track will use the VSCP Skills List to track required skills. These are national standards developed and recommended by AgriLife Extension Veterinary Medicine.

  • VSCP Skills List - This must be filled out, initialed and signed by the supervising vet 

• Typically cannot be started until after the youth is 16 years old

Meetings and Attendance

Project meetings and attendance are required as often as possible. These meetings have lessons and testing needed to complete the 100 lessons.  Project meetings for the year are scheduled as follows:

• Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 12, Jan 19, Feb 25, Mar 25, April 22, May 27 

• Please contact project leader Myta Smith for more info at mytasmith@yahoo.com