NWCA VETERINARY ASSISTANT EXAM STUDY
GUIDE | ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES &
UPDATED EXAM PREP CORRECT QUESTION
ANSWERS 2026
Credential Title
Veterinary Assistant (VET)
Purpose of Credential
The Veterinary Assistant credential documents the essential competencies for general
front office, clinical, nursing care, and animal management procedures required of the
veterinary assistant.
Audience for Credential
This credential is appropriate for a veterinary assistant in the daily operations of a veterinary
practice, research laboratory where animals are kept, animal hospital, equine barn, farm or
ranch, animal shelter, kennel or animal day care, or other environment where animals are kept
and cared for.
Job/Career Requirements
Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in many tasks. They may
be involved in overall veterinary practice office operations, procedures related to diagnostic
imaging and treatment of animals, procedures involving animal care and husbandry, and
procedures for veterinary nursing and emergency care. Most workers enter the occupation
have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Though veterinary assistants can be trained on
the job, many employers prefer that they have completed a formal training program and have
experience working with animals. Successful veterinary assistant demonstrate compassion to
both animals and their owners, are detailed oriented, and have physical strength and dexterity.
Though they may not be allowed to complete all of the procedures independently, they must
understand many anatomy, physiology, and veterinary medicine concepts and be able to assist
when asked in a safe and competent manner. Depending upon the specific work environment,
veterinary assistants must understand animal care for dogs, cats, equine, livestock, companion
birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, wild orphaned or injured animals, and laboratory
animals.
Veterinary Assistant Tasks
Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians when asked and as directed in animal
care and management
Feed, bathe, and exercise all types of animals
Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, stalls, examination and operating rooms, and other
, areas
Restrain animals during examination and laboratory procedures
Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment
, Maintain supply and retail inventories
Monitor and care for animals before and after surgery or other medical procedures
Help provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals, including wild animals
Give medication or immunizations prescribed by the veterinarian and under a
veterinarian’s direct supervision
Assist in collection of blood, urine, and tissue samples
Take vital signs of animals
Transport animals to and from treatment areas
Exam Structure Overview
Number of Questions in Exam: 65
Total Time: 90 minutes
Overall Passing Score: 70%
, Study Outline
Veterinary Medical Terminology
Professionals use veterinary medical terminology their jobs must understand the fundamental
concepts including how to dissect a medical term, terminology related to the cellular level of an
animal, and name terminology for different animals. Additionally, these professionals must
understand different body system terminology, such as the cardiovascular system, the digestive
system, and the respiratory system, among others. Concepts related pharmacology and surgical
terminology are also important for many professionals. Finally, many jobs require an
understanding of terminology for specific animal groups.
Medical Terminology Fundamentals
Objective: Explain how to dissect a medical term into its word root, prefix, suffix, and
combining form
Define veterinary medical terms used to describe direction, surface,
planes, cavities, membranes, positions, movement at joints, and
numbers
Define veterinary medical terms used to describe the cell,
cellular organelles, genetic conditions, and tissues
Define veterinary terms used to name equine, cattle, goats, sheep,
swine, dogs, and cats
1. Dissecting Medical Terms
a. Roots
i. Definition of a Root
ii. Examples of Roots
b. Prefix
i. Definition of a Prefix
ii. Examples of Prefixes
1. Function of Contrasting Prefixes
2. Function of Directional Prefixes
c. Suffix
i. Definition of a Suffix
ii. Examples of Suffixes
1. Function of Pertaining To Suffixes
2. Function of Surgical Suffixes
3. Function of Procedural Suffixes
4. Function of Double R Suffixes
5. Function of Conditional Suffixes
6. Function of Structural Suffixes
d. Combining Vowels
i. Definition
GUIDE | ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES &
UPDATED EXAM PREP CORRECT QUESTION
ANSWERS 2026
Credential Title
Veterinary Assistant (VET)
Purpose of Credential
The Veterinary Assistant credential documents the essential competencies for general
front office, clinical, nursing care, and animal management procedures required of the
veterinary assistant.
Audience for Credential
This credential is appropriate for a veterinary assistant in the daily operations of a veterinary
practice, research laboratory where animals are kept, animal hospital, equine barn, farm or
ranch, animal shelter, kennel or animal day care, or other environment where animals are kept
and cared for.
Job/Career Requirements
Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in many tasks. They may
be involved in overall veterinary practice office operations, procedures related to diagnostic
imaging and treatment of animals, procedures involving animal care and husbandry, and
procedures for veterinary nursing and emergency care. Most workers enter the occupation
have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Though veterinary assistants can be trained on
the job, many employers prefer that they have completed a formal training program and have
experience working with animals. Successful veterinary assistant demonstrate compassion to
both animals and their owners, are detailed oriented, and have physical strength and dexterity.
Though they may not be allowed to complete all of the procedures independently, they must
understand many anatomy, physiology, and veterinary medicine concepts and be able to assist
when asked in a safe and competent manner. Depending upon the specific work environment,
veterinary assistants must understand animal care for dogs, cats, equine, livestock, companion
birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, wild orphaned or injured animals, and laboratory
animals.
Veterinary Assistant Tasks
Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians when asked and as directed in animal
care and management
Feed, bathe, and exercise all types of animals
Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, stalls, examination and operating rooms, and other
, areas
Restrain animals during examination and laboratory procedures
Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment
, Maintain supply and retail inventories
Monitor and care for animals before and after surgery or other medical procedures
Help provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals, including wild animals
Give medication or immunizations prescribed by the veterinarian and under a
veterinarian’s direct supervision
Assist in collection of blood, urine, and tissue samples
Take vital signs of animals
Transport animals to and from treatment areas
Exam Structure Overview
Number of Questions in Exam: 65
Total Time: 90 minutes
Overall Passing Score: 70%
, Study Outline
Veterinary Medical Terminology
Professionals use veterinary medical terminology their jobs must understand the fundamental
concepts including how to dissect a medical term, terminology related to the cellular level of an
animal, and name terminology for different animals. Additionally, these professionals must
understand different body system terminology, such as the cardiovascular system, the digestive
system, and the respiratory system, among others. Concepts related pharmacology and surgical
terminology are also important for many professionals. Finally, many jobs require an
understanding of terminology for specific animal groups.
Medical Terminology Fundamentals
Objective: Explain how to dissect a medical term into its word root, prefix, suffix, and
combining form
Define veterinary medical terms used to describe direction, surface,
planes, cavities, membranes, positions, movement at joints, and
numbers
Define veterinary medical terms used to describe the cell,
cellular organelles, genetic conditions, and tissues
Define veterinary terms used to name equine, cattle, goats, sheep,
swine, dogs, and cats
1. Dissecting Medical Terms
a. Roots
i. Definition of a Root
ii. Examples of Roots
b. Prefix
i. Definition of a Prefix
ii. Examples of Prefixes
1. Function of Contrasting Prefixes
2. Function of Directional Prefixes
c. Suffix
i. Definition of a Suffix
ii. Examples of Suffixes
1. Function of Pertaining To Suffixes
2. Function of Surgical Suffixes
3. Function of Procedural Suffixes
4. Function of Double R Suffixes
5. Function of Conditional Suffixes
6. Function of Structural Suffixes
d. Combining Vowels
i. Definition
