Between juggling appointments, anesthesia monitoring, charting, cleaning kennels, and running patient discharges, most veterinary technicians barely have time for a bathroom break—let alone taking time off to attend continuing education. But staying current on best practices and meeting licensure requirements doesn’t have to feel like another full-time job. With the right strategies and tools, fitting veterinary CE into a busy schedule is absolutely possible—and even enjoyable.
Why Veterinary CE for Technicians Can Feel Overwhelming
Let’s be honest: most CE is designed with veterinarians in mind, not overworked technicians. Techs are often stuck taking CE after hours, during their only day off, or on weekends they’d rather spend recovering. Without a clear plan or support from their clinic, many technicians end up scrambling to complete their hours before license renewal—choosing whatever is fastest rather than what’s most valuable.
Worse, some clinics don’t prioritize or reimburse CE for techs at all. That leads to frustration, limited growth opportunities, and burnout.
But with a shift in mindset and a few practical tips, CE can go from chore to career booster.
Start with a CE Game Plan
You wouldn’t head into surgery without a plan—so don’t approach CE that way either. Create a yearly continuing education strategy:
- Know your state requirements: Check how many hours you need and which topics are approved. Does your state require RACE-approved CE? Are there in-person vs. online limitations?
- Block time in advance: Treat CE like a doctor’s appointment. Put it on your calendar quarterly or monthly so it doesn’t sneak up.
- Choose CE with purpose: Pick topics that align with your goals (e.g., anesthesia, radiology, dentistry), not just what’s easiest.
- Use a CE tracker: Keep a spreadsheet or app where you log completed hours, course titles, approval numbers, and certificates.
Leverage On-the-Go Learning
Not all CE requires sitting in a classroom for hours. Try these flexible formats to learn during your commute, cardio session, or downtime:
- Podcasts: Shows like Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, VetFolio Voice, or Radio Vet Nurse often offer free insights from industry experts.
- Webinars and on-demand videos: Many organizations (like VSPN and VetFolio) offer CE that can be paused and resumed as needed.
- Audiobooks and courses: While not always RACE-approved, they can still deepen your understanding and build context.
Pro tip: Bookmark your favorite CE platforms and set aside 30 minutes a week to chip away at your hours—it adds up quickly.
Advocate for Paid CE Time
If your clinic values technician growth (and they should), they’ll recognize that investing in CE benefits everyone. Confident, skilled technicians reduce medical errors, boost efficiency, and elevate the standard of care.
- Propose CE as part of your annual review: Ask for CE reimbursement or paid time off to attend live courses.
- Frame it as a win-win: For example, say, “If I take this radiology course, I can train the rest of the team and improve our diagnostic radiographs.”
- Start small: Suggest monthly “Lunch & Learns” using recorded CE to create a culture of shared learning.
Maximize Veterinary CE Events
When you do attend an in-person event, make it count:
- Choose hands-on over lecture-only whenever possible for skill-based CE like dentistry or anesthesia.
- Full-day lecture/labs: If you can, sign up for a full-day event! This means a huge chunk of CE is completed in just one day.
- Network with peers—you’ll gain just as much from other techs’ experiences.
- Bring info back: Take notes and share key takeaways with your team. It shows initiative and reinforces your learning.
Many weekend CE events offer multiple hours in one day, making them efficient ways to knock out requirements while boosting your resume. The Learn Veterinary Dentistry full-day workshop, for example, combines lecture and wet lab for 8 RACE-approved hours—half hands-on.
Veterinary CE Doesn’t Have to Be Solo
Forming a study group or attending CE events with coworkers can help make it social and supportive. Hold each other accountable and share helpful resources. It builds team cohesion and makes learning more enjoyable.
If you’re a lead tech or manager, consider organizing a CE calendar for your practice. This could include:
- Monthly topic highlights
- Internal lunch presentations
- CE hour tracking
- Reimbursement guidelines
Take Advantage of Free CE Resources
Not all high-quality CE costs a fortune. Look for options like:
- VetFolio’s free CE offerings
- NAVTA’s discounted member content
- Manufacturer webinars (e.g., Zoetis, Idexx, Midmark)
- Learn Veterinary Dentistry’s blogs, and occasional giveaways or reach out to see if there are any available discounts.
And if cost is a barrier, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lauren at learnvetdentistry@gmail.com. Scholarships or sliding scale options are available for qualified applicants.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overhaul your entire schedule to fit in veterinary CE for technicians—you just need to be intentional and strategic. Continuing education should feel like a tool for empowerment, not just a box to check.
Set realistic goals, prioritize topics that matter to your career, and advocate for the support you need. When veterinary CE for technicians becomes a regular part of your professional routine, you’ll feel more confident, more valued, and more excited to keep learning.
Because when techs grow, teams thrive—and pets receive the best care possible.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (07/24/2025) Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels