VetTechSchools.orgObtaining Certification as a Veterinary Technician
State regulation of the veterinary technician profession varies, but all 50 states require new veterinary technicians to pass an examination. The most commonly known and required certifying test for vet techs is the National Veterinary Technician Examination (NVTE).
Be sure to inquire with your state's veterinary regulatory agency about their examination requirements, and be aware of any additional documentation or processes you might need to complete before obtaining your certificate. Sometimes certification in one state may be transferable to a different state if they both require the same certifying exams.
You can view contact information for the appropriate regulatory agencies and credentialing requirements for vet techs by state or Canadian province in a directory maintained by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
The National Veterinary Technician Exam
Overseen by the AAVSB, the exam is used to test the aptitude of newly minted veterinary technicians who are just beginning their careers. The NVTE is given three times annually, and the current cost of taking the exam is $300.00. It is computer-based and offered at 250 testing locations around the United States and Canada.
Note that passing the NVTE does not automatically certify an applicant to practice as a veterinary technician. A passing score is just one component of the materials needed to apply for state certification. Veterinary techs who successfully pass the exam must apply for certification -- the procedures and materials needed vary by state and province.
Read more information about the requirements and procedures for the NVTE at the AAVSB website.
Technician Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician
Veterinary technicians who are especially interested in working in research facilities, such as at a university, biotechnology firm, or pharmaceutical company, should consider attaining technical certification by taking a special exam administered by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). This certification is rapidly becoming a requirement for most animal laboratory technician positions.
There are three types of certification for veterinary technicians offered, depending on a candidate’s level of educational attainment and years of work experience in laboratory animal science:
- Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)
- Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)
- Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)
The certifying exam is offered throughout the year. It is computer-based and composed solely of multiple choice questions and covers two broad areas: animal husbandry, health, and welfare; and facility administration and management. Depending on the type of certification applied for, the examination costs $155-255 plus a processing fee, lasts two to three hours in length, and consists of 120-180 multiple choice questions.
Read more information about vet technician certification requirements and procedures at the AALAS website.