Veterinary Technician Licensure
General Information
Read this entire Instruction Sheet carefully. Failure to follow these instructions may delay your examination or licensure. The application asks whether you are applying by examination or reciprocity. This depends on whether you hold a current license in another jurisdiction (state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia)
| IF you have… | AND IF you have… | THEN apply by… |
|
not passed the VTNE | Examination. |
| already passed the VTNE | Examination. | |
| hold a current, active veterinary technician license in another jurisdiction | -- | Reciprocity. |
Important Information for Applicants Who Need to Take the VTNE
The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) owns and administers the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). The VTNE is a computer-based examination that you may take during three “testing windows” per year – in summer, fall and late winter/early spring. You can find information about the VTNE – including the testing sites, dates of testing windows, and VTNE Candidate Information Booklet – on the AAVSB VTNE website.
If you wish to qualify to take the VTNE based on Delaware’s requirements (as explained below), you must first apply to the Delaware Board for approval to sit for the VTNE. The AAVSB will not allow you sit for the VTNE until the Delaware Board approves your education and other qualifications. This requirement applies to both Delaware and out-of-state residents. After the Board reviews your application, you will be notified whether you are approved to take the examination.
To take the exam during a testing window, you must meet specific deadlines for applying to the Delaware Board and for registering with AAVSB. To view the deadlines for each testing window, click Veterinary Technician National Examination.
Requirements for All Applicants
These requirements apply to all applicants regardless of whether applying by examination or reciprocity.
- Submit a completed, signed and notarized Application for Licensure/Examination for Veterinary Technicians.
- Enclose the non-refundable application processing fee by check or money order made payable to the “State of Delaware”. Do not send the VTNE examination fee to the Delaware Board office! Send it to AAVSB.
- Arrange for the Board office to receive proof of one of the following education/experience requirements.
- Official transcript from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program, sent directly from the school to the Board office.
If you are a final-year veterinary technician student enrolled in an AVMA-accredited program, you may apply to take the VTNE before graduation by submitting proof of the probability of graduation. In this situation, arrange for the Board office to receive a letter from your school, sent directly to the Board office, stating that you are a veterinary technician student in good standing and the date on which you are expected to receive your degree. This letter will admit you to the VTNE, but you will not be considered for licensure until you submit proof of your graduation to the Board office.
- Official transcript from a foreign veterinary program approved by the AVMA, sent directly from the school to the Board office.
If you meet neither of the education requirements above, proof of completing one of the education/experience alternatives listed below:
- Baccalaureate degree in animal science-related field as approved by the Board plus 2625 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s),
- Degree from a veterinary technician program that is not accredited by the AVMA, as approved by the Board, plus 2625 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian,
- Baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, or similar scientific field of study as approved by the Board plus 3500 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s),
- 60 credit hours of coursework at the postsecondary educational level, as approved by the Board, plus 5250 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s),
- 7000 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s).
Proof of the degrees listed above is an official transcript sent directly from the school to the Board office. Proof of the hours of experience listed above is a notarized Affidavit of Veterinary Technician Experience signed by the supervising veterinarian. If the supervising veterinarian is not Delaware-licensed, he or she must submit a copy of his or her current veterinary license with the form.
These education/experience alternatives expire November, 2013. For more information on these alternatives, see Section 11.1.2 of the Board’s Rules and Regulations.
- Official transcript from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program, sent directly from the school to the Board office.
- If you have already taken and passed the VTNE, arrange for the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) to transfer the scores to the Board office. To request a score transfer, see www.aavsb.org.
- If you have ever held a veterinary technician license in another state, arrange for the Board office to receive a letter of good standing from each jurisdiction where you are now, or have ever been, licensed.
Additional Requirements for Temporary Licenses
You must meet all of the above requirements. In addition, submit:
- Temporary license fee by check or money order made payable to "State of Delaware."
- Letter from a Delaware-licensed veterinarian verifying that
- you will remain in the veterinarian's continuous employ and supervision, and
- he or she will monitor your professional activities and be fully responsible for you while you are under temporary licensure.
Under no circumstances should you begin practicing as a veterinary technician in Delaware before the temporary license is issued. For information on the practice and supervision requirements for veterinary technicians, see Section 1.0 of the Board’s Rules and Regulations.
