Vet Tech Programs in Mississippi: Complete 2027 Guide to Becoming a CVT

Choosing a vet tech program in Mississippi can feel overwhelming. Explore schools, program options, and certification requirements to find the right path for your veterinary career.

Reviewed by: vettechprograms.org
Last updated: September 2026

What You Need to Know First

Mississippi has two AVMA CVTEA-accredited vet tech programs: Hinds Community College in Raymond (associate degree) and Mississippi State University in Starkville (bachelor’s degree). To become certified as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in Mississippi, you must complete the required education, pass the national VTNE, and pass a separate Mississippi state board exam administered through AAVSB. Total initial certification costs run $150 in state fees ($100 application + $50 state exam), on top of the current $375 VTNE application fee, and the CVT credential renews annually for $50.

This guide walks you through both programs, the exact certification steps, and what to expect — including being direct about the one figure (Mississippi-specific salary data) that could not be verified to this site’s standards.

Mississippi Vet Tech Career at a Glance

Factor	Details
State Credential	Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Licensing Board	Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine
Required National Exam	VTNE ($375)
Required State Exam	Mississippi State Board Exam (100 questions, 180 minutes, $50, via AAVSB)
Initial Certification Fee	$100
Total Initial State Fees	$150 ($100 application + $50 state exam)
Annual Renewal Fee	$50
CE Requirement	10 hours per year (5 must be “live” if completed online)
Certificate Renewal Date	Annually; the Board’s posted renewal materials use September 1, while the certification procedure states August 31 for initial expiration
Accredited Programs	2 (Hinds CC + Mississippi State University)
National Median Salary	$47,380 (BLS May 2025) — Mississippi-specific figure not verified, see note below

Sources: Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine official forms, AAVSB, BLS OOH (verified September 2026)

The Mississippi Board’s current forms page lists the 2026 TECH Renewal Form 26-27 and the August 2025 certification procedure. The posted renewal form lists a $50 renewal fee and 10 hours of CE, while the AAVSB Mississippi state-exam document confirms the $50 state-exam fee and 100-question, 180-minute exam.

Quick Decision Guide

Your Situation	Best Path in Mississippi
Want the fastest, most affordable path	Hinds Community College AAS (Raymond)
Want a bachelor’s degree	Mississippi State University (Starkville)
Central Mississippi resident	Either program may be practical depending on your location and schedule
Want advancement toward VTS specialty later	Compare MSU’s bachelor’s program with the specific education and experience requirements of the specialty
Need online flexibility	An AVMA-CVTEA-accredited distance-learning program from another state may be an option, subject to Mississippi’s credentialing requirements
Currently work in a Mississippi clinic	Either program; ask your employer about clinical hour support

AVMA-Accredited Vet Tech Programs in Mississippi

Mississippi has two AVMA CVTEA-accredited vet tech programs. Hinds Community College currently identifies its program as AVMA-accredited, and current program listings identify Mississippi State University as the other accredited Mississippi program.

Hinds Community College

Location: Raymond, Mississippi (Agriculture Department, Raymond Campus)
Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology
Program Length: 2 years full-time, including a summer internship/preceptorship
Format: In-person for veterinary technology-specific courses; some general education courses are available online or at night
Admission: Fall entrance only; requires application, completion of admission requirements, clinic observation hours, and an interview

Hinds states that applicants must complete at least 40 hours of veterinary clinic observation within six months of the application date. The program is designed as four semesters plus a summer internship/preceptorship.

Graduates of Hinds’ program are eligible to sit for both the Mississippi State Board Exam and the national VTNE. Upon successful completion of the required exams, graduates are classified as Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs).

Mississippi State University

Location: Starkville, Mississippi
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology
Program Length: 4 years full-time

MSU’s Veterinary Medical Technology program is a four-year bachelor’s program. The university’s current curriculum shows the first two years as prerequisite/general education preparation followed by the VMT program coursework in the later years.

Comparing Both Mississippi Programs

Factor	Hinds Community College	Mississippi State University
Degree Level	Associate (AAS)	Bachelor’s (BS)
Time to Complete	2 years plus summer internship	4 years
Location	Raymond	Starkville
Format	In-person veterinary technology courses	In-person
Best For	Students seeking the shorter associate-degree pathway	Students seeking a bachelor’s degree

Hinds describes its veterinary technology program as a two-year program with a summer internship, while MSU’s current major map lays out a four-year Bachelor of Science curriculum.

How to Become a CVT in Mississippi: Step-by-Step Process

Mississippi’s process includes a separate state board exam in addition to the national VTNE. Verify current details directly with the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine before applying, since requirements and fees can change.

Step 1: Graduate from an AVMA CVTEA-Accredited Program

Complete an eligible veterinary technology education pathway that meets Mississippi’s requirements. Hinds Community College’s program states that graduates are eligible for both the Mississippi State Board Exam and the national VTNE.

Step 2: Register For and Pass the VTNE

Register through AAVSB (AAVSB.org). The VTNE contains 170 multiple-choice questions (150 scored + 20 pilot), takes 3 hours, and the current application fee is $375. Candidates can take the exam at PSI test centers or through live remote proctoring.

The VTNE currently has four testing windows per year, so the original “three testing windows” statement was outdated.

Step 3: Submit Your Mississippi Certification Application

Mississippi’s application procedure, verified directly from the Board’s certification procedure document, requires:

Completed application (paper or through the Board’s online licensure portal)
VTNE score sent directly from AAVSB
Copy of diploma or official transcript from your program
The application fee: $100
Letters of good standing from every jurisdiction where you’ve ever held credentials
A passport-quality photograph taken within the past 6 months
Three letters of recommendation

The Board’s current certification procedure confirms these requirements and states that applicants receive a link to the state board exam through AAVSB’s SPA program after the application is completed.

Step 4: Pass the Mississippi State Board Exam

This is the step that catches people off guard — Mississippi requires a state-specific exam in addition to the VTNE. Once your application is processed, eligible candidates receive instructions to take the state exam through AAVSB’s SPA program.

Mississippi State Exam Details:

100 questions (a combination of true/false and multiple choice)
180 minutes (3 hours)
Pass/fail result
$50 fee, paid directly to AAVSB
If you don’t pass, you must wait 60 days before retaking, and pay the $50 fee again for each attempt

The original page’s “50 questions” figure was incorrect. AAVSB’s current Mississippi-specific exam document explicitly states 100 questions, 180 minutes, a $50 fee, and a 60-day retake wait.

Step 5: Receive Your CVT Certificate

Once you’ve completed the application process and passed the state board exam, the Mississippi Board’s certification procedure states that your certificate will be issued.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification Through Annual Renewal

Mississippi CVT certificates renew annually. The Board’s posted renewal materials use September 1 as the renewal deadline, while the certification procedure states that certificates expire on August 31 of the year following initial licensure. Because these two official documents use slightly different dates, confirm the exact expiration date shown for your credential with the Board.

Renewal requirements, verified from the Board’s renewal form:

$50 annual renewal fee
10 continuing education hours for the renewal cycle
If completing CE online through RACE-approved CE, at least 5 of the 10 hours must be “live” — defined as an interactive webinar or live-streamed offering
Proof of attendance must be kept and provided as required at renewal
The Board’s posted 2026 renewal form states that CE is earned during the August 1-to-August 1 cycle
Renewal can be completed through the Board’s online portal or by mail

The Board’s currently posted 2026 renewal form contains a date inconsistency: although labeled “TECH Renewal Form 26-27,” the PDF itself displays a 2025 expiration date and refers to the 2024-2025 CE cycle. Therefore, the $50 fee and 10-hour CE requirement are verified, but the exact 2026-27 dates should be confirmed with the Board before publication.

Mississippi Vet Tech Salary: What We Could and Couldn’t Verify

We want to be straightforward here rather than presenting a number we can’t stand behind.

What’s Verified

The national median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is $47,380 per year according to BLS data (May 2025), with the lowest 10% earning less than $35,710 and the highest 10% earning more than $63,180. National employment is projected to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035.

What’s Not Yet Verified

A genuine Mississippi-specific breakdown. BLS does publish Mississippi occupational wage data through its OEWS state-data system, but the current BLS interface requires retrieving the state occupation data through its state tables/data tools. We have not independently extracted the Mississippi 29-2056 percentile figures in this review, so we are not publishing a Mississippi salary table here. BLS identifies May 2025 as the current state-data release and provides Mississippi through its state tables.

What This Likely Means Practically

We are not going to publish a specific Mississippi percentile table without directly verifying the underlying BLS state data. If you need a precise Mississippi figure for planning purposes, pull the current May 2025 OEWS data for Mississippi and SOC code 29-2056 through BLS’s state tables or data tools.

We’ll update this section with verified state-specific figures once the underlying BLS table has been directly extracted and checked.

Financial Aid for Mississippi Vet Tech Students

Financial aid can meaningfully reduce your total program cost. Contact each program’s financial aid office directly for current award amounts and deadlines.

Federal Aid:

Pell Grants for eligible students
Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
Federal Work-Study opportunities

Mississippi-Specific Programs:

Mississippi Community College Board financial aid resources (for Hinds CC students)
Mississippi State University institutional scholarships and financial aid

Employer Programs:

Some Mississippi veterinary clinics offer tuition assistance for existing employees
Corporate veterinary groups with Mississippi locations may offer tuition assistance or reimbursement

Professional Scholarships:

AVMA Foundation scholarships
NAVTA educational grants

Specific employer benefits, scholarship availability, and eligibility should be verified directly before publication or enrollment.

Why Accreditation Matters in Mississippi

Mississippi’s certification process requires applicants to provide evidence of veterinary technology education, and the state’s law defines an accredited veterinary technology/technician program as one accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. The Mississippi Board’s certification procedure also requires a diploma or official transcript.

Only Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University are currently identified as the two CVTEA-accredited veterinary technology programs in Mississippi. Hinds currently identifies its program as AVMA-accredited, while current program information identifies MSU as the other accredited program.

If you’re considering an out-of-state or distance-learning program instead, verify its current AVMA CVTEA accreditation directly through AVMA before enrolling. AVMA states that CVTEA-accredited distance-learning programs meet the same accreditation standards and include a clinical component.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Enrolling in Mississippi

1. Can you commit to Hinds’ fall-only, in-person format?

Hinds Community College’s veterinary technology-specific courses are offered in person, while some general education courses can be taken online or at night. The program currently admits students for fall entry. If your schedule requires greater flexibility, an accredited distance-learning program from another state may be worth investigating, subject to Mississippi’s credentialing requirements.

See our online vet tech programs guide.

2. Are you prepared for two exams, not one?

Mississippi’s extra state board exam ($50, 100 questions, 180 minutes) is an additional step beyond the VTNE. Budget both the time and the $50 fee into your planning.

3. Associate or bachelor’s degree?

Hinds offers an AAS pathway, while MSU offers a four-year BS in Veterinary Medical Technology. Compare the time, cost, curriculum, and career goals associated with each program before enrolling.

Is a Vet Tech Career Right for You in Mississippi?

Vet tech work is meaningful but demanding. Before enrolling, honestly assess whether the career suits you.

Strong fit if you:

Stay calm during animal emergencies and stressful situations
Handle medical procedures, blood, and injured animals without distress
Communicate effectively with anxious pet owners
Have physical stamina for long shifts requiring standing and lifting
Can emotionally handle euthanasia and difficult cases

Worth reconsidering if you:

Cannot tolerate blood, medical procedures, or animal distress
Prefer administrative or office-only environments
Have physical limitations that make animal restraint or other essential duties difficult
Need predictable Monday-Friday 9-to-5 schedules

BLS notes that veterinary technologists and technicians may have physically or emotionally demanding work and may work evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Volunteer or shadow at a Mississippi veterinary clinic before committing to a program. Real exposure can help you understand the work before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Vet Tech Programs

What credential do Mississippi vet techs hold?

Mississippi uses the CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician) credential. The Mississippi Board’s renewal form identifies the credential as the Veterinary Technician/Technologist Certificate and refers to “Certified Veterinary Technicians/Technologists” credentialed by the Board.

To become credentialed, applicants must meet the Board’s education and examination requirements, including submitting a VTNE score and completing the Mississippi state examination process.

Does Mississippi require a separate exam beyond the VTNE?

Yes. In addition to the national VTNE, Mississippi requires a state board exam administered through AAVSB’s SPA program. The current Mississippi exam document states that the exam contains 100 questions, has a 180-minute time limit, costs $50, and requires a 60-day wait before a failed exam can be retaken.

How much does it cost to get certified in Mississippi?

Total state-specific initial certification costs are $150: a $100 application fee to the Mississippi Board plus a $50 fee for the state board exam, paid to AAVSB. This is separate from the current $375 VTNE application fee. Annual renewal is $50.

How many accredited vet tech programs does Mississippi have?

Two: Hinds Community College in Raymond, which offers an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, and Mississippi State University in Starkville, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology. Hinds’ current program page identifies its program as AVMA-accredited, and current accreditation information identifies Hinds and Mississippi State as the two Mississippi programs.

How much do vet techs make in Mississippi?

We could not verify a Mississippi-specific percentile table to this site’s sourcing standard during this review. BLS’s current national median is $47,380 per year (May 2025). BLS does provide state-level OEWS data, including Mississippi, through its May 2025 state data system.

For a specific Mississippi figure, use BLS’s May 2025 state data for SOC 29-2056 rather than a third-party salary estimate.

What are Mississippi’s CE requirements for renewal?

The Mississippi Board’s renewal form requires 10 continuing education hours for the renewal cycle. It states that all hours may be completed online through RACE-approved CE, but if this option is used, 5 hours must be “live”, defined as an interactive webinar or live-streamed offering.

The Board’s posted 2026 renewal form contains an apparent date mismatch between its “26-27” filename/listing and the 2025 dates printed in the PDF, so the exact current CE-year dates should be confirmed directly with the Board.

Can I attend an online vet tech program and still get certified in Mississippi?

An AVMA CVTEA-accredited distance-learning program can be an option because AVMA states that accredited distance-learning veterinary technology programs meet the same accreditation standards and include a clinical component. However, the program must also satisfy Mississippi’s credentialing requirements. Verify the specific program and clinical arrangement with the Mississippi Board before enrolling.

Neither of Mississippi’s two in-state programs currently offers its veterinary technology curriculum as a fully online program. Hinds states that its veterinary technology-specific courses are in person, while MSU’s current curriculum is campus-based.

What happens if I fail Mississippi’s state board exam?

You must wait 60 days before retaking it, and you’ll need to pay the $50 AAVSB fee again for each attempt. AAVSB’s Mississippi-specific instructions confirm the 60-day waiting period and repeat fee.

Vet Tech Programs in Neighboring States

Related Vet Tech Resources

Sources

Source	Used For
Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine	Board authority, forms, certification and renewal information
MS Vet Tech Certification Application Procedure	Initial application fee, requirements, certification process
MS Tech Renewal Form 26-27	Renewal fee, CE requirements and renewal instructions
AAVSB — Mississippi State Exam	State exam format, fee and retake requirements
AAVSB — VTNE Information	VTNE requirements and credentialing
AAVSB — Applying to Take the VTNE	Current $375 VTNE fee
Hinds Community College Veterinary Technology	Program details, degree, format, admission and accreditation
Mississippi State University Veterinary Medical Technology	Program, degree and curriculum information
AVMA CVTEA	Veterinary technology accreditation
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	National salary and job outlook data
BLS May 2025 OEWS State Data	Mississippi state wage-data source

Licensing requirements change. Verify current details with the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine (662-324-9380, office@mississippivetboard.org) before applying for certification. This content is educational and not legal, career, or licensing advice.