This 10-month cohort-based program provides a comprehensive foundation in veterinary science, animal care, and basic medical procedures. One cohort begins each Fall semester and completes the program by the end of the Spring term (May).

The curriculum consists of four sequential courses:

  • Veterinary Assistant I
  • Veterinary Assistant II
  • Veterinary Assistant III
  • Veterinary Assistant IV

Each course builds upon the knowledge and skills gained in the previous level.

Students will learn to assist with the care of a wide range of animals, including household pets, livestock, and exotic species. Through hands-on instruction and service learning, students gain experience in animal restraint, medication administration, and assisting with basic veterinary procedures.

Program Admission & Cohort Structure

  • Students are admitted as a cohort in the Fall term only and will complete in Spring term. Additional enrollment is not permitted once the program begins.
  • Enrollment is limited to 10 students
  • Registration for Veterinary Assistant II, III, and IV occurs after successful completion of the preceding course

The program includes a mix of:

  • Classroom instruction
  • Lab activities
  • Online coursework
  • Hands-on experiential learning

Class Schedule

  • Mondays & Thursdays: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (subject to change)
  • Location: Caswell County Campus

Service Learning

  • Saturdays: Animal Protection Society of Person County (APSPC)
  • Each student must complete at least two service-learning sessions during each program level

REGISTRATION

Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Cohort

COURSE IDSECTIONCOURSE DATESDATES/TIMESLOCATIONREGISTRATION
VET – 3110A
Veterinary Assistant I		Opens July 6Aug. 17 – Oct. 12Mondays & Thursdays
6:30-9 p.m.		Caswell County Campus &
Animal Protection Society of Person County (APSPC)		Opens July 6
VET – 3110B
Veterinary Assistant II		Oct. 19 – Dec. 14
VET – 3110C
Veterinary Assistant III		Jan. 11 – March 8
VET – 3110D
Veterinary Assistant IV		March 15 – May 6

Registration for the Fall 2026 cohort opens July 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Registration will close once the course is full or on the first day of class

Course Fees & Textbooks

VET-3110A – Veterinary Assistant I

Registration Fee: $332
Includes:

  • $185 Registration Fee
  • $9 Insurance
  • $30 Supply Fee
  • $108 ICEV Program Software

Required Textbook:
Animal Restraints for Veterinary Professionals
Sheldon & Topel (2024)
Publisher: Elsevier, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-323-88143-2
Estimated Cost: $130

VET-3110B, VET-3110C, VET-3110D – Levels II, III & IV

Registration Fee: $224 per course
Includes:

  • $185 Registration Fee
  • $9 Insurance
  • $30 Supply Fee

Required Textbook (used for Levels II–IV):
Mosby’s Veterinary PDQ, Third Edition
Consultant: Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT (2019)
Elsevier Learning
ISBN: 978-0-323-51023-3
Estimated Cost: $33.95 (plus tax & shipping)

Financial Assistance

  • If you need financial assistance, register using the Financial Assistance Registration Form. You will receive a scholarship application link within 24 hours.
  • Multiple scholarship options are available for North Carolina residents. Scholarship details and application links will be included in your payment instructions email after course registration.

Dress Code Requirements

  • Students may be required to wear specific attire when working at animal shelters or veterinary clinics
  • Closed-toe shoes are required for all in-person sessions
  • No dangling jewelry or long fingernails that may pose a safety risk to students or animals

Vet Assistant Credential

To be eligible to sit for the CVA Level I credentialing exam, students must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Practical Work Experience
Applicants must complete 90 days of practical work experience (equivalent to 500 hours, paid or volunteer) in a veterinary setting under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian or registered/certified veterinary technician. These hours are broken down as follows:

  • 200 laboratory and classroom hours
    Earned through Veterinary Assistant Levels I and II courses
  • 300 supervised clinical hours
    Completed independently under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary technician. Students may begin earning their hours in Level III or IV.

2. Age Requirement
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age.

3. Examination Application
Applicants must submit a completed CVA Level I examination application along with full payment of all required examination fees. This step is completed with Lori Watlington, Director of CE Health Programs.

4. Skills Validation
Applicants will be supervised and have the CVA Level I Skills Validation list checked off by a licensed Vet Tech or Veterinarian.

5. Exam Performance
Applicants must score 70% or higher on the CVA Level I certification exam.

⚠️ Important Information Regarding Clinical Hours

  • The 300 supervised clinical hours required for credentialing are not earned through regular course instruction and are not included in the Veterinary Assistant program.
  • These hours must be completed outside of class time, either as a volunteer/intern or as a paid employee.
  • Completion of the 300 clinical hours is not required to earn a certificate of completion for the Veterinary Assistant program.

Students pursuing credentialing will be provided with a clinical hours timesheet to document and track their experience. Once all requirements are met, students should contact Lori Watlington at lori.watlington@piedmontcc.edu to schedule an appointment and receive instructions for the next steps in applying for the credentialing exam.

Credentialing Exam Details

Exam Scheduling: After application approval.

Exam Fee: $145

Exam Format: Paper/Pencil

Location: Caswell County Campus, Piedmont Community College

Veterinary and Community Partnerships

By welcoming veterinarians and clinics into our educational ecosystem, we are enriching our students’ learning experiences with real-world insights, hands-on training, and the latest industry practices. These partnerships are a testament to our dedication to providing students with the best possible education, ensuring they graduate as competent and compassionate veterinary assistants ready to excel in the field. We believe that by working closely with our local veterinary community, we can continue to set new standards for excellence in veterinary education.

Thank you, Oxford Animal Hospital, for your partnership!

Pictured Back, left to right: Karah Shytle, Technician Assistant and PCC Grad; Louise Royster, Veterinary Assistant; Mindy Mast, Veterinary Assistant; Kendra Cross, Lead Receptionist; Courtney Faulkner, Receptionist; Angie Hernandez, Technician Assistant

Front, left to right: Crystal Owen, Inventory Manager and Technician Assistant; Dr. Susan Thompson; Dr. Toni Richardson; Jenna Stewart, Hospital Manager; Tabitha Moody, Receptionist

Interested in Partnering With PCC?

Veterinarians or animal clinics interested in partnering with our program are encouraged to contact:

Lori Watlington
Director, Health & Wellness Programs
📧 lori.watlington@piedmontcc.edu

Veterinary Partnerships that have Hosted PCC Students

  • Bahama Veterinary Hospital-Bahama, NC
  • Creekside Animal Clinic-Mebane, NC
  • Danville Family Vets-Danville, VA
  • PetVet, Hillsborough, NC
  • Oxford Animal Hospital, Oxford, NC
  • Woodsdale Animal Hospital-Roxboro, NC