Veterinary Technician Requirements & Application

Ways to become a registered veterinary technician (RVT)

There are three ways to become licensed as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) in Maryland. 

1. Education: Graduate from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program with recent VTNE Scores. 
2. Endorsement: Graduate from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program, hold an active license in another jurisdiction, and have 5 years of continuous practice under that license.
3. Alternative/Experience: Acquire significant education and experience and obtain recent VTNE Scores. 

Education Pathway

This pathway is available to those who have a degree in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA Accredited School and have passed the VTNE within the last 5 years. This pathway is primarily utilized by recent graduates of Veterinary Technology Programs or those that graduated from an accredited program but have not practiced for the last 5 years and have taken/retaken the VTNE recently. 

The following items are required to apply for licensure in Maryland through the Education Pathway:

• Test Scores: To apply for licensure, you must first take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). For information on applying to take the VTNE, visit: www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at (816) 931-1504. The VTNE is offered during three testing windows at five locations in Maryland and two in Washington D.C. Note: VTNE Scores must be less than 5 years old. 
  • If you have already taken and passed the VTNE and you sat for this exam in Maryland, your scores will be transferred to us automatically. 
  • If you have already taken and passed the VTNE but did not sit for the exam in Maryland, you are responsible for having your score transferred to us by the Veterinary Technician Information Verifying Agency (TIVA), which is affiliated with the AAVSB. 
• Transcripts: Provide the State Board with a final transcript from your AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program showing that the degree has been conferred. This document should be sent directly from the college to the Board office.  If you are supplying us with this document, it must be submitted in an envelope with an unbroken seal from the college or emailed directly from the college(s) to [email protected]. 
• Photograph: One headshot, about 2" x 3", taken within the past 6 months, must be uploaded.
• Letters of Good Standing, if applicable: If you are now licensed, or have ever been licensed, in another state or jurisdiction, Letters of Good Standing or registration verification must be sent to us directly from all other State Boards and/or any other jurisdiction (including any foreign jurisdictions) where you were licensed. These letters may be emailed to [email protected] from an official state office; however, faxes are not accepted.
• Other Documentation: If you have any pending or past disciplinary action with another state Board or if you have any criminal convictions (other than minor traffic violations), you must provide all related documentation.

Endorsement Pathway

This pathway is available to those who have a degree in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA Accredited School, passed the VTNE more than 5 years ago, and have practiced veterinary technology continually in a jurisdiction in which they hold a valid license/registration/credential for the last 5 years. This pathway is primarily utilized by experience technicians relocating to Maryland. 

The following items are required to apply for licensure in Maryland through the Endorsement Pathway:

• Transcripts: Provide the State Board with a final transcript from your AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.  This document should be sent directly from the college to the Board office.  If you are supplying us with this document, it must be submitted in an envelope with an unbroken seal from the college or emailed directly from the college(s) to [email protected]. 
• Resume/CV: A resume/cv documenting your work experience that shows continued clinical practice as a credentialed veterinary technician in the jurisdiction where the credential(s) are held for the 5 years preceding the submission of the application. 
• Photograph: One headshot, about 2" x 3", taken within the past 6 months, must be uploaded.
• Letters of Good Standing: Letters of Good Standing or registration verifications must be sent to us directly from all other State Boards and/or any other jurisdiction (including any foreign jurisdictions) where you were licensed. These letters may be emailed to [email protected] from an official state office; however, faxes are not accepted.
• Other Documentation: If you have any pending or past disciplinary action with another state Board or if you have any criminal convictions (other than minor traffic violations), you must provide all related documentation.

Alternative or Experience Pathway

This pathway is available to those who have accumulated significant experience in the field under the supervision of a veterinarian, have an Associate's Degree or better with specific required courses, and have passed the VTNE within the last 5 years or plan to take it through Maryland. This pathway is primarily utilized by experienced veterinary assistants that have been trained under the supervision of a veterinarian and have taken foundational education courses. 

The following items are required to apply for licensure in Maryland through the Alternative/Experience Pathway:

• Transcripts: Provide the State Board with a final transcript showing that you hold an associate's or higher level degree. This document(s) should be sent directly from the college to the SBVME's office. If you are supplying the SBVME with this document, it must be submitted in an envelope with an unbroken seal from the college emailed directly from the college(s) to [email protected]. 
  • Your transcripts must include a minimum of three credits with a passing grade of C or above in each of the following 6 college level courses:
    • Biology I;
    • Biology II;
    • Microbiology;
    • Chemistry;
    • Anatomy and Physiology I; and
    • Anatomy and Physiology II. ​
• Skills Assessment. Submit a Technician Skill Set Assessment - PDF - 122.55 KB, that has been completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian who has worked with and has extensive knowledge of the applicant’s abilities. Applicants are expected to have performed and demonstrated competency in all skills listed. 
  • ​If submitting by mail: The applicant should provide the reviewing veterinarian with an addressed, stamped envelope and should not be returned to the applicant. The veterinarian should sign across the back of the seal before mailing. 
  • If submitting by e-mail: The e-mail should be a clear scan of the document (not a photograph) and e-mailed to [email protected] from the supervising veterinarians e-mail address. 
• Proof of Work Experience: Proof of completion of 10,000 hours of work experience as a technician, with a signed and notarized ​affidavit from a supervising veterinarian specifying the number of hours worked and the dates worked; 
• Proof of Emergency Experience:  Proof of having completed a minimum of 24 hours of work as a veterinary technician in a veterinary emergency hospital, with an affidavit on practice letter head signed by the Supervising Veterinarian. 
• Proof of Continuing Education: Proof of having completed a minimum of 24 hours of veterinary technician continuing education; 
• Test Scores: After the State Board has received and reviewed all the required documentation (above), a determination will be made as to your eligibility to sit the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Once approved, you will be notified by e-mail and you must then make arrangements to take the exam through the American Association of State Veterinary Boards (AAVSB). For information on sitting for the exam, visit: www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call​ the AAVSB at (816) 931-1504.
  • If you have already taken the VTNE and your scores are less than 5 years old from the date of the application submission, you will not need to retake the exam. 
  • If your VTNE scores are more than 5 years old, you will need to submit an application to take the exam through Maryland. 

Fees

• Application fee: $100
• Reinstatement fee: $100
• Triennial Renewal fee: $100

Examinations for veterinary technicians

The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is offered three times per year in Maryland: 

• March 15 to April 15 (application deadline is Feb. 15)
• July 15 to Aug. 15 (application deadline is June 15)
• Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 (application deadline is Oct. 15)

For information on applying to take the VTNE, please contact the American Association of Veterinary State Boards at www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call 1.816.931.1504.

Please be advised that, in Maryland, coursework obtained through non-accredited veterinary assistant programs does not make an individual eligible to sit the VTNE.

Resources & more information

• AVMA-accredited veterinary technology programs 
• Qualifications for Examination and Registration of a Veterinary Technician
• All applicants must attest that they have read and will follow all the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology in Maryland before being licensed. Failure to follow state laws and regulations may result in formal disciplinary action.​

Celebrating Diversity award

This award is presented by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards​ to a veterinary technician student from an AVMA-CVTEA or CVMA accredited veterinary technology/nursing program who is expected to graduate no later than June of the calendar year. 

This award will be presented to a minority student who has been traditionally underrepresented in the veterinary technician profession, inclusive of Black/African American, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Hispanic/Latinx, gender, LGBTQ and students with disabilities.