Experienced-based credentials with provisional registration

The following pathways are available for credentialing after obtaining a provisional registration with DORA. A provisional registration is required for individuals who will not complete the credentialing requirements until after 12/31/2023. The provisional registration allows individuals until 12/31/2027 to complete the requirements to credential.  Do not to complete one of the applications below until after you meet all the requirements (including all the work experience). Please reach out if you need any clarification prior to submitting your application.

• Pathway 1 with provisional registration
• Plan on completing the following requirements in the years 2024-2027 (need provisional registration)
• At least 6500 hours of work experience in the role of a veterinary technician in the 7 years prior to application submission date.
• Pass the VTNE 
• Pathway 2 with provisional registration
• Plan on completing the following requirements in the years 2024-2027 (need provisional registration)
• At least, 9000 hours of work experience in the role of a veterinary technician in the 7 years prior to application submission date.

Pathway 1 with provisional registration

In 2023, individuals who have not yet completed the requirements for an experienced-based credential but intend to complete the requirements by 12/31/27 can apply for a provisional registration with DORA to allow time to meet the credentialing requirements. A provisional registration will be required to apply for an experienced based credential from the CACVT after 12/31/2023.

Please note, if you intend to take the VTNE after approval of your work experience verification, make sure to submit your credential application to CACVT at least 3 weeks before the VTNE application submission deadline. This allows adequate time for approval of the work experience verification and your request to sit for the VTNE.

Prerequisite

1. Obtain your provisional registration from DORA
1. You will want to make an online account with DORA by clicking register at their login page.  Once they verify your email address, you can complete the application for provisional veterinary technician. (If the link is reporting an error, try a different web browser or contact their help team at 303.894.2421 or [email protected])
2. Provisional registrations must be obtained before 12/31/23
3. Provisional registrations are subject to renewal requirements until credentialing is attained; check with DORA for details
4. For more information, visit our Provisional Registration Information page

Requirements for experienced-based credential – post provisional registration with pathway 1

• Provisional registration from DORA
• At least 6500 hours of work experience in the role of a veterinary technician in the 7 years prior to application submission date.
• Pass the VTNE 

Steps to get your experienced-based credential – post provisional registration with pathway 1

1. Download and complete the Work Experience Verification Form
1. Experience must be equivalent to the duties performed in the role of a veterinary technician
2. All 6500 hours do not need to be consecutive, but all hours need to be obtained in the 7 years prior to application submission date.
3. Hours and skills must be verified with a notarized affidavit, signed by a supervising licensed veterinarian
1. Every skill/knowledge statement must be completed
2. Multiple forms may be submitted if one veterinarian cannot attest to all the skills and/or hours
3. The supervising veterinarian must be licensed in the state of Colorado
1. If multiple form submissions are made, only one veterinarian is required to be licensed in the state of Colorado
4. Notarized form(s) must be scanned and submitted with application
1. Original notarized document(s) must be retained by the applicant for a minimum of 5 years and provided if requested by CACVT.
2. Submission of experienced-based credential – post provisional registration application including the following:
1. Proof of active provisional registration from DORA
2. Completed and signed Work Experience Verification Form
3. Payment of work experience verification form review fee
4. *If you have already passed the VTNE, this step is required, but you can then skip to step 4 below*
1. Verification of a passing VTNE score from the AAVSB (passing score is set by the AAVSB-currently 425+)
1. If VTNE was passed in Colorado from 1/1/2009 to present, the CACVT has the score report from the AAVSB on file for verification.
2. If VTNE was passed in another state or before 12/31/2008, a VAULT transfer will need to be completed by the applicant and their VTNE score will be reported directly to the CACVT from the AAVSB. There is no limit on how long ago the VTNE was passed.
1. https://www.aavsb.org/licensure-assistance/vault-basic-transfer-services
2. The jurisdiction to choose when completing your Basic VAULT transfer service application is the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
3. Once your experienced-based credential – post provisional registration application is approved, you will receive an official confirmation email that will outline the next steps
1. If you have not passed the VTNE- you can now contact the AAVSB to schedule the VTNE
1. https://www.aavsb.org/vtneoverview
2. Please note the AAVSB calls this type of credential alternate pathway or on-the-job trained
3. Once you pass the VTNE, you can proceed to step 4
2. If you have already passed the VTNE, please proceed to step 4
4. The final step is to register with DORA
1. Once all application requirements are fulfilled and approved, you will be able to download a Proof of Credential Certificate to submit with your registration application to DORA.
2. Once you are registered, you are legally allowed to use the titles Registered Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Technician…and the credentials RVT or VT. Those titles and credentials are legally protected by Colorado's Veterinary Practice Act, and unqualified individuals are subject to disciplinary action.  
3. For more information on registration, please see your confirmation email or visit the State Board of Veterinary Medicine's homepage.

Quick links for resources related to provisional pathway 1

DORA's Provisional Registration Application

Work Experience Verification Form

Experienced-based Credential- Post Provisional Application

Request your VTNE scores be sent to the CACVT

Schedule your VTNE

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Pathway 2 with provisional registration

In 2023, individuals who have not yet completed the requirements for an experienced-based credential, but intend to have them complete by 12/31/27, can apply for a provisional registration with DORA to give themselves time to meet the requirements for the credential. This provisional registration is needed while working towards the requirements to apply for a credential from the CACVT.

Prerequisite

1. Obtain your provisional registration from DORA
   1. You will want to make an online account with DORA by clicking register at their login page.  Once they verify your email address, you can complete the application for provisional veterinary technician. (If the link is reporting an error, try a different web browser or contact their help team at 303.894.2421 or [email protected])
   2. This provisional registration must be obtained before 12/31/23.
   3. The provisional registration may need to be renewed until credential is obtained-check with the state for details
   4. For more information, visit our Provisional Registration Information page

Requirements for experienced-based credential – post provisional registration with pathway 2

• Provisional registration from DORA
• At least 9000 hours of work experience in the role of a veterinary technician in the 7 years prior to application submission date.

Steps to get your experienced-based credential – post provisional registration with pathway 2

1. Download and complete your Work Experience Verification Form
1. Experience must be equivalent to the role of a veterinary technician
2. All 9000 hours do not need to be consecutive, but all hours need to be obtained in the 7 years prior to application submission date.
3. Hours and skills must be verified with a notarized affidavit, signed by a supervising licensed veterinarian
1. Every skill/knowledge statement must be completed
2. Multiple forms may be submitted if one veterinarian cannot attest to all the skills and/or hours
3. The supervising veterinarian must be licensed in the state of Colorado.
1. If multiple form submissions are made, only one veterinarian is required to be licensed in the state of Colorado
4. Notarized form(s) must be scanned and submitted with application
1. Original notarized document(s) must be retained by the applicant for a minimum of 5 years and provided if requested by CACVT.
2. Submission of experienced-based credential post provisional application including the following:
1. Proof of active provisional registration from DORA
2. Completed and signed Work Experience Verification Form
3. Payment of work experience verification form review fee
3. Once your experienced-based credential post provisional application is approved, you will receive an official confirmation email that will outline the next steps
4. The final step is to register with DORA 
1. Once all application requirements are fulfilled and approved, you will be able to download a Proof of Credential Certificate to submit with your registration application to DORA.
2. Once you are registered, you are legally allowed to use the titles Registered Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Technician…and the credentials RVT or VT. Those titles and credentials are legally protected in Colorado's Veterinary Practice Act, and unqualified individuals are subject to disciplinary action.  
3. For more information on registration, please see your confirmation email or visit the State Board of Veterinary Medicine's homepage.

Quick links for resources related to provisional pathway 2

DORA's Provisional Registration Application

Work Experience Verification Form

Experienced-based Credential Post Provisional Registration Application

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