Veterinary Practice Managers are one of the driving forces of animal medicine.
If you love animals, and you’re interested in supporting and managing the behind-the-scenes operations of veterinary offices, animal hospitals, or specialty animal clinics, becoming a Vet Office Manager could be the right career pathway for you.
Learn more about the daily duties of local vet practice managers and get an overview of a few area colleges, universities, and vocational training programs offering formal education in the guide below.
Table of Contents
Vet Office Manager Duties in California
- Animal Care
- Appointment Scheduling
- Client Communication
- Facility Management
- Medical Records Management
- Inventory Management
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Practice Manager in California
Most Veterinary Practice Management professionals incorporate a combination of education, experience, and certification to land their first or subsequent jobs.
The Certified Veterinary Practice Manager CVPM is one of the most sought-after credentials in the field for aspiring practice managers.
CVPM credentials are assessment-based credentials that certify the credential holder has the required combination of skills, knowledge, and experience to succeed in the role of Vet Office Manager.
VHMA allows applicants to sit for certification who have reached the age of 18, completed the required number of years of on-the-job training in the role, a commitment to ongoing Veterinary Office Management education and recertification, letters of recommendation from employers, coworkers, or other qualified professionals who can attest to the career competency of the applicant.
Vet Office Manager Programs in California
California State University at Fullerton
The Department of Extension and International Programs at CSU offers incoming Veterinary Office Managers the opportunity to earn their veterinary certificate or degree online in the four-hundred-fifty-hour program.
This comprehensive web-based program operates using a combination of online and in-person lectures, readings, and clinical experiences that prepare new office managers to handle the critical aspects of their management careers.
Courses Offered
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Surgical and Dental Procedures
- Financial Account Management
- Introduction to Microsoft Word
- Veterinary Assistant Duties
Contact Information
- Address: 800 North State College, Fullerton, California – 92834
- Phone: 855-520-6806
California State University at San Bernadino
CSU at San Bernadino presents local students with the option of getting the required training and skills needed to operate as VPMs in their online program.
Students who enroll in CSU’s online training program learn what it takes to manage a veterinary practice from current and former professionals who have worked in their practices.
Attendees can work at their own pace online and have twenty-four-hour access to their self-paced program for up to twelve months.
Successful candidates will complete course requirements meeting VHMA certification standards.
Courses Offered
- Small Animal Surgical Assisting
- Personal and Professional Development
- Veterinary Dental Assisting
- Pharmacy Procedures
- The Veterinary Healthcare Team
Contact Information
- Address: 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, California – 92407
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Program Cost: $4.095.00
UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Animal medicine professionals seeking to own or operate their practice can boost their career skills by enrolling in the Foundations of Veterinary Business program at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.
This comprehensive business certificate teaches the fundamentals of finance, marketing, human resource management, and animal care for vet practice managers.
Courses Offered
- Accounting – Transactions and Reporting
- Finance – Cash Flow and Company Valuation
- Marketing – Strategy and Design
- Human Resource Management
Contact Information
- Address: One Shields Avenue
- Phone: 530-752-7658
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| California State University at Fullerton | 800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831, United States |
| California State University at San Bernadino | 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407, United States |
| UC Davis Graduate School of Management | 540 Alumni Ln, Davis, CA 95616, United States |
Vet Office Manager Salary – California
Online salary data reports from reputable sources show that vet practice managers in California make well-paying salaries that typically fall above the US national average.
Average salary reports for US-based practice managers come in at just over $86,000.00 per year with compensation salary and benefits.
The reports also show that vet office managers in California earn an average of $95,000.00 annually.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $95,617 |
| Carlsbad | $92,082 |
| Corona | $91,479 |
| Lancaster | $95,531 |
| Glendale | $96,048 |
| Fullerton | $95,617 |
| San Francisco | $107,774 |
| San Jose | $108,205 |
| Fresno | $86,392 |
| Santa Barbara | $93,117 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 140 | $45,430 | $21.84 | $59,530 | $36,340 |
| Chico, CA | 80 | $46,340 | $22.28 | $62,070 | $36,100 |
| Fresno, CA | 150 | $42,310 | $20.34 | $55,160 | $33,280 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,900 | $48,560 | $23.34 | $63,130 | $35,570 |
| Merced, CA | 30 | $42,580 | $20.47 | $49,030 | $36,690 |
| Modesto, CA | 160 | $47,330 | $22.76 | $60,900 | $37,090 |
| Napa, CA | 40 | $46,150 | $22.19 | $58,150 | $38,930 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 380 | $48,470 | $23.31 | $62,140 | $37,560 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $43,890 | $21.1 | $56,080 | $35,790 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 760 | $45,910 | $22.07 | $58,330 | $36,730 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 880 | $50,080 | $24.08 | $63,790 | $38,450 |
| Salinas, CA | 130 | $48,560 | $23.35 | $63,200 | $38,330 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 1,190 | $48,980 | $23.55 | $62,880 | $38,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 1,420 | $57,730 | $27.76 | $75,930 | $44,600 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 460 | $61,110 | $29.38 | $76,630 | $45,080 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 120 | $44,670 | $21.48 | $56,930 | $37,230 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 140 | $51,940 | $24.97 | $69,580 | $38,360 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 150 | $46,270 | $22.25 | $57,760 | $37,570 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 280 | $50,960 | $24.5 | $68,470 | $39,640 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 120 | $45,240 | $21.75 | $58,570 | $36,600 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 120 | $48,400 | $23.27 | $60,320 | $39,040 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 60 | $42,480 | $20.42 | $55,080 | $30,680 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a License to Work as a Veterinary Practice Manager in CA?
No.
The state of California doesn’t currently require its VPMs to carry an occupational license.
However, the right combination of training and education is required for success in the field.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Vet Office Manager in California?
The length of time it takes to become a Vet Office Manager in California will vary depending on a few factors.
Number of years of experience working in the field and how much experience you have working in vet practice management related to finance, accounting, and human resource management.
Aspiring practice managers who hone these skills can quickly enter the field while inexperienced hopefuls will need to continue their education to acquire the necessary skills for operating a successful practice.
What Training and Education Do I Need to Be a Veterinary Office Manager in CA?
There are currently no formal education requirements for practicing VOMs in California.
Most incoming practice managers earn their role through a combination of education and on-the-job experience.
Educational routes can include earning a high school diploma along with an Associate’s degree.
Potential practice managers can also get training and education by taking certificate programs, and diploma programs, and seeking national certification through top agencies like the VHMA.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State
