Program Overview

The online application for our 2023 Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) program opens August 1st, 2022.​​
Note: No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. ​
Program Description 
This 24-week program (600 clock hours) prepares students with the necessary manipulative skills, technical knowledge and experience for entry-level employment as a veterinary assistant, animal caretaker or kennel attendant.

Through a combination of lecture, laboratory and clinical experience, students will receive skills training in the following: animal behavior, anatomy, sanitation, nutrition, disease, laboratory work and various animal hospital tasks.

"Community classroom" is a component of this program that provides students with unpaid on-the-job training experiences at sites in the field. Correlating classroom instruction with regularly scheduled, supervised and planned work-based learning, this type of experience supports students in preparing for a successful transition into the workplace. For the CVA Program, the Community Classroom consists of instruction in a veterinary office working side by side with a veterinarian and veterinary team members.

Program Objectives 
Students successfully completing this program may earn 6 units toward the Veterinary Technician program at Yuba College and are eligible to sit for the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Certified Veterinary Assistant exam.

Prerequisites
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Ability to read at a 10th grade level
  • Basic computer skills
  • Science courses or related industry experience suggested
  • COVID-19 vaccination: Students must be fully vaccinated prior to the start of class (a person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after completion of their full 2-vaccine series)

Financial Aid
This course is approved for federal financial aid. Please complete a FAFSA application to determine eligibility. Butte ROP's school code is 042205.
Video: Take a sneak peek into our CVA program! See what our classes look like, meet our instructors and find out why students choose Butte County ROP.

Additional Resources

What is a Veterinary Assistant? (Video)
Hear what our graduates say about our Program! (Video)
Classroom Photos (Slideshow)