Becoming a credentialed veterinary technician in Colorado
Did you graduate and/or pass your VTNE between 7/1/2016 and 12/31/2021 and have not been credentialed? If so, you are in the right place! The next step is to fill out a late credential by examination application (link provided below). If you graduated and passed the VTNE prior to 7/1/16, click here.
Applicants eligible to obtain a credential by examination are individuals who have graduated from an AVMA accredited school and passed the VTNE. Since credentialing is based on when you passed the VTNE, the CE requirement, credentialing fee, and late fees are different based on this date. The credential process includes submission and approval of the following:
- Submit continuing education hours in your CE log
- If you do not already have a profile with CACVT, you must first start the application to create a login so you can have access to the CE log
- CE hours required are based on when you passsed the VTNE
- 2021- 10 hours, 2020- 20 hours, 2019- 30 hours, 2018- 40 hours, 2017- 50 hours, 2016- 60 hours
- Need help getting started? Read these step-by-step instructions for entering CE into your log.
- Have questions about CE? Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.
- Completed late application for credential by examination (button below).
- Verification of graduation from an AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology Program.
- If you passed your VTNE in Colorado, CACVT can verify your official transcripts from the AAVSB.
- If you passed your VTNE in a state other than Colorado, a copy of your transcripts will need to be submitted to the CACVT.
- Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded into the application
- Official transcripts can be emailed directly to [email protected]
- Verification of VTNE pass score
- If you passed your VTNE in Colorado, the AAVSB will report your VTNE score directly to the CACVT.
- If you passed your VTNE in a state other than Colorado, your scores will need to be sent to Colorado.
- AAVSB will submit score reports directly to CACVT if you selected COLORADO as the jurisdiction of choice on their VTNE application.
- If Colorado was not selected as your preferred/primary credentialing jurisdiction on your VTNE application, you must request an online score VAULT transfer through AAVSB, and it must be received by CACVT before your application is eligible for processing. The jurisdiction to choose when completing your Basic VAULT transfer service application is the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- Credentialing fee of $152
- Late fee (based on VTNE pass date)
- 2020-2022- $50
- 2018-2020- $125
- 2016-2018- $200
Please note: Once your credential is approved, the final step is to apply for registration with DORA. 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. For more information on registration, please see your confirmation email or visit the State Board of Veterinary Medicine's homepage.
Once all application requirements are fulfilled and approved, you will be able to download a Proof of Credential Certificate to submit with DORA's registration application.
2-year credential cycle: All credentials are valid from July 1 of each EVEN year – June 30 of the following EVEN year, and will need to be renewed prior to the expiration date. Please familiarize yourself with CACVT's CE Guidelines, as each individual is responsible for submission of CE at the time of renewal.
Feel free to contact [email protected] with questions regarding eligibility, the process of becoming a veterinary technician in Colorado, or if you require any assistance.
If an individual passed the VTNE prior to 7/1/2016 and did not obtain a credential, 4 options are available and outlined below. *Please note, options 1 & 2 are only available until 12/31/23:
Option 1
- Obtain an experienced-based credential
- Submission of credential application, Work Experience Verification Form, and credentialing fee
- Once approved, register with DORA
- See pathway 1 in experienced-based credential
Option 2
- Submission of completed late credential by exam application (button above) including the following:
- Uploaded official transcripts stating completion of an AVMA CVTEA accredited veterinary technology program
- Credentialing Fee of $152
- Late credentialing fee of $250
- Verification of a passing VTNE score from the AAVSB (passing score is set by the AAVSB - currently 425+)
- 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.
- If VTNE was passed in another state or prior to 12/31/2008, a VAULT transfer will need to be completed by the applicant to have the VTNE score reported directly to the CACVT from the AAVSB. There is no limit on how long ago the VTNE was passed. The jurisdiction to choose when completing your Basic VAULT transfer service application is the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- Submission of continuing education hours as per CE guidelines- 10 hours per year (prorated)
- Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email with specific instructions for registering with DORA
Option 3
- Obtain an experienced-based credential - post provisional registration
- This option is available when the experience-based credentialing requirements have not been met yet, but will be completed by 12/31/27
- Obtain provisional registration from DORA before 12/31/23.
- Once credentialing requirements are met: submission of credentialing application, Work Experience Verification Form, and credentialing fee
- Once approved, register with DORA
- See pathway 1 in experienced-based credential - post provisional registration
Option 4
- Retake the VTNE and submit your application for credential by examination.
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