Veterinary technician regulation, title protection, and inclusion of veterinary technicians in the Veterinary Practice Act brought changes to commonly used terminology. Here's a glossary of terms for quick reference as we continue to grow as a profession!

CE or continuing education: Educational opportunities for veterinary technicians to continue to build on their medical or professional/wellbeing knowledge, while also receiving hours for credential renewal. 

Credential: A credential is granted by CACVT to individuals who have met the prescribed criteria set forth in the Veterinary Practice Act to ensure minimum competency to practice as a veterinary technician. Credentials are subject to renewal requirements every 2 years. A credential is one of the requirements for registration, which is required to practice as a veterinary technician in the state of Colorado. Formerly called certification.

Department of Regulatory Agencies: DORA is Colorado's umbrella regulatory agency and manages licensing and registration for multiple professions and businesses. DORA's Division of Professions & Occupations (DPO) regulates more than 50 professions and occupations, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The State Board of Veterinary Medicine is housed within the DPO's Healthcare Professions. Throughout CACVT's website and forms, DORA is used in reference to DORA and the DPO. 

Experience-based pathway: Temporary, alternative credentialing pathway for individuals working in the role of a veterinary technician to become credentialed. A provisional registration is required to qualify to credential via an experience-based pathway. The 2 pathways available are 6500+ hours working in the role of a veterinary technician, skills endorsement, and passing the VTNE -OR- 9000+ hours working in the role of a veterinary technician, with endorsement. Experience-based pathway options expire at the end of 2027.

Provisional registration: Temporary registration from DORA's Department of Professions and Occupations, held by veterinary technicians who plan to complete one of the experience-based credentialing pathways by 12/31/27. A provisional registration is required to apply for an experience-based pathway credential.

Registration: Process of applying to practice as a veterinary technician in the state of Colorado. Registration is an indicator that an individual has the minimum competency required to perform tasks related to veterinary technology. A registration is subject to renewal requirements every two years. In Colorado, the registration requirement is a credential from CACVT.

Rules and Regulations: When the legislature passes laws, state agencies adopt rules and regulations to interpret and enforce the laws. Rules carry the weight of law and non-compliance can result in fines, citations, or potentially, loss of a registration. To learn more, visit Colorado's Secretary of State Code of Colorado Regulations FAQ's.

State Board of Veterinary Medicine: The SBVM regulates and registers veterinary technicians in Colorado. Additional board activities include licensing veterinarians, investigating complaints about the licensed and unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine, disciplining violators of the law and/or Board's Rules, and making, amending, and adopting reasonable rules and regulations that govern the conduct of veterinarians.

Veterinary Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician (VT, RVT): Protected titles under the Veterinary Practice Act, use restricted to veterinary professionals holding an active veterinary technician registration with DORA. 

Veterinary Technology Student: Student attending an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program. 

Veterinary Practice Act: The law that defines and regulates veterinary medicine in Colorado.