What is the timeline for the process of applying to AVTCP?
The following timeline demonstrates two possible examples of how the application process may work from the beginning of your vet tech career, to the AVTCP exam.
AVTCP Credentialing & Application Timeline
Why was AVTCP formed?
Based on survey results, input from veterinarians, ABVP members, veterinary technicians, veterinary technician students, and other members of the veterinary team, there was a clear presence of highly skilled, knowledgeable, and educated veterinary technicians that practiced their advanced skills and understanding on a daily basis in clinical settings. And these individuals needed a pathway to define and credential their advanced knowledge and skills. AVTCP was formed to provide this pathway and credential these individuals who were, and are, dedicated and invaluable to multidisciplinary, contemporary veterinary medicine.
How would a technician benefit once recognized as a VTS by AVTCP?
The AVTCP offers contemporary, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive species-oriented categories (Canine/Feline, Feline, Exotic Companion Animal, and Production Animal). A VTS (Clinical Practice) will demonstrate they are capable of providing a level of clinical practice that is clearly superior to the general veterinary technician by successfully passing the application process and comprehensive examination. Recognition by AVTCP provides a way to further ones career, enhance personal growth, and promote excellence in clinical practice. Obtaining a VTS demonstrates commitment to providing superior care in veterinary medicine in a manner that is becoming more and more recognized in the profession of veterinary medicine. With that recognition often comes increased pay, and also many opportunities to advance in other ways such as teaching, lecturing, writing, sitting on boards and committees, and shaping the future of veterinary medicine. Most importantly, most VTS's feel that the process of credentialing and then maintaining those credentials keeps them current and at the peak of their chosen specialty with the recognition they deserve.
How do I submit my application?
The Pre-Application and both letters of recommendation are submitted by fillable forms on our Applications page. The Final Application will be submitted to the AVTCP Drop Box by invitation only after the Pre-Application has been accepted.
How much does it cost to become a VTS (Clinical Practice)?
Application/examination costs are subject to change, but the current fees are:
Pre-Application $50
Final Application $50
Examination $250
Please pay fees with the following Paypal link: www.paypal.me/AVTCP
The AVTCP exam will be administered ONLY as a virtual exam. It will NOT be offered live at ABVP or any conference site. Examinees will be able to choose from an approved testing site of their choice and we will facilitate the virtual exam in 2025.
Once accepted as a member, annual dues are $50 per calendar year. There is a $25 late fee for members who do not pay their dues by March 31st of the calendar year.
Pre-Application $50
Final Application $50
Examination $250
Please pay fees with the following Paypal link: www.paypal.me/AVTCP
The AVTCP exam will be administered ONLY as a virtual exam. It will NOT be offered live at ABVP or any conference site. Examinees will be able to choose from an approved testing site of their choice and we will facilitate the virtual exam in 2025.
Once accepted as a member, annual dues are $50 per calendar year. There is a $25 late fee for members who do not pay their dues by March 31st of the calendar year.
Do I need to work under an ABVP Diplomate in order to become a member of AVTCP?
No, but you do have to have SOME kind of specialist write one letter of recommendation for you. Of the two required letters, at least one letter must be from a member of any NAVTA recognized VTS academy, a Diplomate of any AVMA recognized veterinary specialty organization (RVSO), or a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). This person must currently, or previously, have worked with you and observed your work. For example, it could be veterinary surgeon specialist you worked with at a specialty hospital in the past, or a VTS in behavior you worked with. They do not have to be in your specific chosen specialty, just that they themselves have been through a specialty credentialing process and worked with you at some time. The second letter of recommendation could be from any of the above or a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM or VMD).
How do I find a specialist in my area for my recommendation letter?
A directory of the American Board of Specialties (ABVS) can be found at: www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Specialties/Pages/Recognized-veterinary-specialty-organizations.aspx
A list of the current Veterinary Technician Specialties (VTS) can be found at: navta.site-ym.com/?page=specialties
A list of the current Veterinary Technician Specialties (VTS) can be found at: navta.site-ym.com/?page=specialties
Does all of my experience need to be as a credentialed technician?
Yes. For the purposes of the AVTCP application process, your five years of experience (10,000 hours) begins on the date of your becoming legally credentialed as a veterinary technician in the state or province of the United States, Canada, or other country in which you work. If you work in a location that does not require legal credentialing, you still must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam in order to start counting your experience as a technician for AVTCP qualification. Of that experience as a credentialed veterinary technician, no less than 75% of that time must be working with the species/type of animal of your chosen specialty.
What should I do if my practice does not have certain equipment or we do not perform some procedures on the skills list?
The AVTCP takes practice variability into consideration. That is why a minimum of 80% of the skills must be mastered.
When does the case year begin?
The case year begins July 1st and ends June 30th. Cases, skills, and reports must all be collected during that period and then presented with the Final Application at the due date specified above.
How many cases are required for the case logs and reports?
A minimum of 50 cases are required (maximum of 75) reflecting the mastery of advanced clinical practice knowledge and skills. Submission of > 50 cases is encouraged to allow for rejected case logs.
AVTCP requires 4 case reports, all of which must be accepted. Submissions of more than 4 will NOT be accepted.
AVTCP requires 4 case reports, all of which must be accepted. Submissions of more than 4 will NOT be accepted.
How do I know if my CE credits are acceptable to AVTCP?
Fifty (50) hours of acceptable advanced continuing education with a minimum of 75% in the applicable practice category within the last five (5) years of pre-application submission. All continuing education must be in advanced clinical practice, RACE certified or equivalent, and ALL instructors/lecturers/teachers of all CE must be at least one of the following:
**Applicants must indicate speaker credentials (e.g. DABVP (Avian), VTS (ECC), etc.) for approval and ALL instructors teaching a lab or class must have approved credentials.
Production Medicine ONLY: Due to the small number of Diplomates and VTS's that relate to PRODUCTION MEDICINE, all PM candidates with questions as to the credibility of their CE should be directed to the PM Member at Large, Sonia Clinton at soniaclinton@yahoo.com
- A Diplomate of the American board of Veterinary Practitioners
- A Diplomate of an American or European College i.e. DACVA, DECZM, DACVS, etc.
- A veterinary Technician Specialist (specialty recognized by NAVTA/CVTS)
- A Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP)
- A Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM)
**Applicants must indicate speaker credentials (e.g. DABVP (Avian), VTS (ECC), etc.) for approval and ALL instructors teaching a lab or class must have approved credentials.
Production Medicine ONLY: Due to the small number of Diplomates and VTS's that relate to PRODUCTION MEDICINE, all PM candidates with questions as to the credibility of their CE should be directed to the PM Member at Large, Sonia Clinton at soniaclinton@yahoo.com
How do I prepare for the AVTCP exam?
Reading journals/articles, reviewing material from recommended reading lists, and attending advanced level continuing education courses in your practice category is recommended. Often candidates will organize study groups on Facebook or other social media which a mentor can help put you in touch with.
What type of exam will be administered?
The examination is multiple choice and will require applicants to bring their own laptop to the test location. Instructions will be given prior to the examination. The examination committee may choose to include any or all of the following as part of the testing process: oral examination, latent image, computer simulations, or audiovisual aids.
Can veterinary technicians outside of the US achieve recognition as a VTS in AVTCP?
Yes. If the country/region issues credentials/licensing/registering, they must provide proof of credentials in their country for the entire time for which they are claiming hours on this application (minimum of 5 years, maximum of 7). Like US applicants, they must show credentials for the entire time, which may mean multiple credentials based on where they worked and duration of certification in that region.
If applicants work in a country that does not require licenses or other registrations for veterinary support team members, but has a voluntary credentialing process, they must achieve this credentialing in order to qualify for the AVTCP. For example, most Australian states do not require registration in order to work as a veterinary nurse or technician, but AVTCP requires that all applicants be registered by an appropriate regulatory authority. In Western Australia, contact the Veterinary Surgeons' Board to complete their registration. In other Australian states, voluntary registration with the Veterinary Nurses' Council of Australia will meet this requirement. Similarly in New Zealand, voluntary regulation and registration are in place for veterinary technicians and nurses working in clinical veterinary practice. Applicants may join the register via the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand.
If applicants work in a country that does not currently issue licenses or other registration for veterinary support team members, and they have completed a college-level course in Veterinary Technology or Veterinary Nursing, they may qualify for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and should pursue this certification in order to qualify for AVTCP. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is the organization that administers the VTNE and determines if graduates are qualified to take the examination via the Program for Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). PAVE for Veterinary Technicians defines an "international veterinary technician/nurse graduate" as a veterinary technician/nurse whose degree was conferred outside of the United States and Canada by a recognized post-secondary, professional school of veterinary technology/nursing or equivalent program. A "recognized" school is one that is officially approved by, and meets the educational requirements for credentialing per, the government of its country. Applicants may qualify to sit for the VTNE via the PAVE program. After successful passage of the VTNE, they may apply for their credential in one of the states or regions that accepts PAVE reciprocity. Once the credential is issued, applicants may begin accruing both work experience and continuing education credits in order to qualify for their AVTCP application.
If applicants work in a country that does not require licenses or other registrations for veterinary support team members, but has a voluntary credentialing process, they must achieve this credentialing in order to qualify for the AVTCP. For example, most Australian states do not require registration in order to work as a veterinary nurse or technician, but AVTCP requires that all applicants be registered by an appropriate regulatory authority. In Western Australia, contact the Veterinary Surgeons' Board to complete their registration. In other Australian states, voluntary registration with the Veterinary Nurses' Council of Australia will meet this requirement. Similarly in New Zealand, voluntary regulation and registration are in place for veterinary technicians and nurses working in clinical veterinary practice. Applicants may join the register via the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand.
If applicants work in a country that does not currently issue licenses or other registration for veterinary support team members, and they have completed a college-level course in Veterinary Technology or Veterinary Nursing, they may qualify for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and should pursue this certification in order to qualify for AVTCP. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is the organization that administers the VTNE and determines if graduates are qualified to take the examination via the Program for Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). PAVE for Veterinary Technicians defines an "international veterinary technician/nurse graduate" as a veterinary technician/nurse whose degree was conferred outside of the United States and Canada by a recognized post-secondary, professional school of veterinary technology/nursing or equivalent program. A "recognized" school is one that is officially approved by, and meets the educational requirements for credentialing per, the government of its country. Applicants may qualify to sit for the VTNE via the PAVE program. After successful passage of the VTNE, they may apply for their credential in one of the states or regions that accepts PAVE reciprocity. Once the credential is issued, applicants may begin accruing both work experience and continuing education credits in order to qualify for their AVTCP application.