Questions about Pharmaceutical Techs and Vet Techs?

Licenses/registrations/certifications are only valid in the state they are granted in. You cannot work based upon a license in California in Washington.

If your goal is to be a vet in the future, you need to focus on the requirements for that education because you are already talking about a minimum of 8 years of higher education. Vet tech degrees and pharmacy tech courses are not typically going to advance your education in the right areas to help with earning your initial 4 year undergrad degree that is appropriate for application to vet school. So instead focus on 4 year degree plans that meet your requirements for application to vet school because that required 8 years of education for vets typically is going to leave you with$140K in student loan debt and you don't need to add 2-3 years on top of that in student costs.

There is no associates degree in Vet Med.

If you are looking at those two areas so that you have jobs while you earn your undergrad degree, you can work as a veterinary assistant in any state in the US without any special education or training.

Both of you need to do some research not on Yahoo Answers. Contact the vet schoolyou plan to attend and ask specifically about undergrad degrees that are acceptable and what pre-req. classes are mandatory for application to vet school. And contact the state Pharmacist licening board and get details on just exactly what it takes to become a licensed pharmacsist and get a list of schools that offer appropriate degrees and call and talk to the program director to learn more about the requirements for getting that degree.

Cindy is basically right, you cannot just get your license from one state to work in another; in order to do that, you must contact Washington State's Pharmacy/Veterinarian boards (or, whoever accredits the above mentioned licenses in Washington state) and ask what you can do to transfer your licenses' over from California so that you may work in Washington (*if it is allowed. There is a chance your license may not transfer but I heard in most cases it's just a matter of filling out paperwork and paying a fee. If they do not transfer, you will have to go through the schooling again). There's something called "reciprocity" with healthcare licenses between states, which allows people to transfer the license if need be.

I agree that it is a good idea to get tech experience first, because experience looks good on school applications and you will have a way to support yourselves while you are in a new state. (Although, I am not sure why you would be putting more difficulty on yourselves by moving to another state for undergraduate education). I have to warn you though, it is becoming increasingly hard to get a job as a Pharmacy tech and the Pharmacy field in general is becoming increasingly over-saturated and competitive job wise. The technician certs. themselves would not help you on applications but the work experience you would get by having them would.

I would recommend going to a community college to get both of your Pharmacy tech/Veterinarian tech licenses for two reasons: The cost and the credits. You will pay out the nose to go to a private/tech/for-profit school, these schools often cost 3 times the cost of community college (and sometimes even more!). Credits from private schools defiantly will not transfer to state/public institutions, where as some credits from community colleges (If not most) usually do. The short time and quick enrollment of private schools may be tempting, but think of how much time you'll spend paying off that debt.

Like Cindy Posted above, it takes a MINIMUM of 8 years for both. It also might take longer because you increase your odds by getting your masters then applying to the programs rather than just applying with a bachelors. Also, you need to complete the prerequisites which, may/ may not be a part of your degree.

Also, here is a link of the employment outlook on a national basis. You can also use this site to look up specific areas as well. Click on the link and under "healthcare" on the lower, left-hand side: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Cindy is also right about your research, you NEED to do more extensive research on these careers before being dead-set on them. These careers are basically research based and you want to pick up the habit of being a good researcher now. It would be a good idea to join a forum and talk with other professionals to gain insight into your fields of interest.

Some other things to consider:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/business/high-de...

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2013/10/2...

The courses taken at most trade schools do not transfer to the University systems so those technician certificates will not help you when seeking Medical degrees in pharmacy or veterinarian medicine. Many VET clinics and Pharmacies do not require certification to become assistants. Good Luck