As the new year begins, many Veterinary technicians find themselves in familiar territory—credential and association renewals to track, continuing education (CE) hours to plan for, and budgets that already feel stretched. For some, CE feels like just another box to check in order to stay compliant. But framing continuing education that way does a disservice to what it actually represents.
CE is not a luxury. It is one of the most effective—and most underutilized—tools we have for retaining skilled Veterinary technicians.
The 2026 continuing education season kicked off in a big way with VMX in Orlando, Florida, where tens of thousands of Veterinary professionals gathered to learn, connect, and recharge. The energy at large conferences such as VMX is palpable, but the real value of CE extends far beyond the lecture rooms, exhibit hall floor, or social events. Ongoing education directly influences Veterinary technician confidence, job satisfaction, burnout prevention, and career longevity.
CE as a Retention Strategy, Not a Checkbox
Veterinary medicine continues to struggle with technician turnover. While compensation, scheduling, workload, and utilization are often at the forefront of retention conversations, professional development deserves equal attention. Veterinary technicians who feel stagnant—or worse, undervalued—are far more likely to leave their place of employment, or the field entirely.
CE signals investment. When employers actively support continuing education for their staff, they are sending a clear message: You are worth developing. That message matters. Veterinary technicians who are encouraged to grow their skills are more likely to feel engaged, respected, valued, and committed to their workplace.
This support does not always have to mean covering airfare, hotel costs, and registration fees for large conferences. Employer-supported CE can include paid time for online courses, in-house trainings, or local or reginal conferences or wet labs. Additionally, memberships to journal clubs or associations (which often include perks such as free or low-cost continuing education events), should be considered. What matters most is that CE is treated as essential—not optional or burdensome.
Burnout Prevention Through Competence and Confidence
Burnout in Veterinary medicine is complex, but lack of confidence is a major contributor that is often overlooked. When Veterinary technicians feel unsure in their skills, outdated in their knowledge, or stunted in their career growth, everyday tasks become heavier and more stressful.
CE builds confidence. Learning new techniques, revisiting best practices, or gaining a deeper understanding of the “why” behind protocols empowers technicians to work more efficiently and advocate more effectively for their patients. Confidence reduces hesitation, second-guessing, and the mental fatigue that comes with feeling unprepared.
Conferences such as VMX also offer something harder to quantify but equally as important: perspective. Stepping outside of the daily grind and reconnecting with the broader profession can be a powerful reminder of why many technicians chose this career in the first place. Connecting with others both inside and outside of the classroom to swap stories and ideas can also lend clarity and bring about fresh ideas for growth once back home.
Career Longevity Requires Growth
Veterinary technology is not a static profession. Advances in anesthesia, pain management, diagnostics, patient care and many other areas demand ongoing education. Expecting technicians to keep pace without adequate CE support sets them up for frustration—and eventual exit from a facility, or worse, the field.
Technicians who are encouraged to pursue specialized interests through CE are more likely to envision a future for themselves in Veterinary medicine. Whether that means focusing on a specific medical discipline or working toward a Veterinary technician specialist certification, advancing skills in leadership or management, or any other area of interest, CE helps transform a job into a sustainable career.
When continuing education is treated as an obligation, Veterinary technicians will meet the minimum requirements to remain credentialed. When it is embraced, supported, and treated as an investment, Veterinary technicians will invest back—through skills, engagement, and career longevity.
Moving Forward
As we move through the year ahead, practices and leaders have an opportunity to rethink how they view continuing education. The focus should shift from minimum CE requirements to how supporting CE can be used as a tool for Veterinary technician retention.
Investing in CE is an investment in people, and people are the backbone of Veterinary medicine. Retention does not happen by accident. It happens when Veterinary technicians are valued, supported, challenged, and given room to grow.
Continuing education should not be treated as a luxury. It should be considered a lifeline.