Veterinary Technician Licensing

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• Each state decides which term to use

• Terms are synonomous and are used to denote “credentialed” veterinary technicians

• Each state may have a different set of requirements to become credentialed

Licensed/Certified/Credentialed

• Most states require graduation from an AVMA accredited program of Veterinary Technology

• Most states require passing the VTNE

• Individual state requirements can be found on the AVMA website

Licensed/Certified/Registered

• www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/aboutvets/vtsregs.asp

Licensed

• A license to practice as a Veterinary Technician is issued by the states Veterinary Medical Board

• Veterinary Technicians do not have their own state board. They are under the veterinary state board

• They have 1-2 members on the veterinary state board

Licensed

• It is illegal to work without a license – mandatory licensing

• States will charge a licensing fee and renewal fees

• Some states require mandatory continuing education

Certified

• May or may not receive a certifiate

• Usually a non governmental body or a professional organization verifies that specific professional standards were achieved

• Certification may be voluntary

Registered

• A list of individuals, eligible to practice in a profession, is maintained by a governmental agency

• May be registered by a private group or a governmental body

• May be mandatory or voluntary

Reciprocity

• Between states – it depends on the states

• A lot of states offer NYS licensed technicians reciprocity due to the higher passing grade needed on the VTNE to become licensed in New York

• Discuss California’s odd requirements

• Some states still do not define veterinary technology in their law

• Therefore, some individuals practicing as veterinary technicians may actually be practicing veterinary medicine without a license while fulfilling their normal duties

•The AVMA, NAVTA and AAVSB have recommended that these ambiguous state laws be revised

New York State

• Licensing law went into effect 1976

• First written exam given 1977

• First practical exam given 1978

New York State

• Notification of potential candidates was done through veterinary practices and NYSAHT

• Grandfather clause – dealt with on the job trained technicians

New York State

• Problems with notification of potential candidates through veterinarians/ veterinary hospitals

• Reopening of grandfather clause - only pertained to original potential candidates

• Or lawsuits

AAVSB: On-the-job experience not enough to take veterinary technician exam

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards issued an official policy change in April,

stating that after Dec. 31, 2010, all candidates for the Veterinary Technician National Examination must be graduates of an accredited or approved

educational program.A few states, including Washington, Georgia,

Alaska, Arizona and Wisconsin, allow technician candidates to take the exam after several years of on-the-job experience, but those state boards will be required to change their policies as of the Dec.

31, 2010 deadline.

www.op.nysed.gov/

Veterinary Technician Licensure Requirements

General Requirements | Fees | Partial Refunds | Education Requirements | Examination Requirements | Applicants Licensed in Another State (Endorsement) | Limited Permit | Three-Year Limited License

General Requirements

Any use of the title "Veterinary Technician" within New York State requires licensure

To be licensed as a veterinary technician in New York State you must:

be of good moral character;

meet education and examination requirements;

and be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States (USCIS I-551

Status/"Green Card").

Submit an application for licensure and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

Go to requirements document