Veterinary Technician

About

Veterinary technicians work under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian for any purpose except diagnosis, prescription, or surgery. All veterinary assistants, including veterinary technicians, shall be employed by and receive compensation from and be under the direct supervision of a licensed or license exempt veterinarian, and shall function at the same place of business as the veterinarian. The veterinary assistant, including registered veterinarian technicians, shall not perform surgery; shall not make a diagnosis and prognosis of animal diseases; shall not prescribe drugs, medicine and appliances, and shall not administer rabies vaccine.

Code Citation Code of Iowa 169, IAC 811-8.2

Who Applies All veterinary technicians who wish to be registered in Iowa.

When To Apply Candidates who take and pass the national board exam and the state exam are certified as registered veterinary technicians in Iowa. (Check with AAVSB and state for the dates of exams.) Applications for the exams should be submitted 60 days prior to exam date. Endorsement applications can be submitted at any time from qualified applicants.

Initial Requirements A veterinary technician does not have to be certified in Iowa, unless a person chooses to be registered, applicants must be a graduate from an Accredited AVMA Veterinary Technology program. Applicants must also have attained passing scores for the National Veterinary Technician Examination (NVTE) and the Iowa Veterinary Technician Examination.

Duration Three years for renewal. Initial registration will expire at the next scheduled expiration date.

Processing Time Approximately 60 days.

Fee Structure Application: $45 Renewal: $15 Exam (VTNE): $345 Exam (State): $175

Renewal Requirements At least thirty hours of continuing education in courses approved by the Board of Veterinary Medicine shall be completed triennially for registration renewal.

Exam To be registered in Iowa, an applicant must take the computer based national veterinary technician exam (VTNE) and an Iowa exam (VTSE). The VTNE is given 3 times per year at designated testing sites (check AAVSB website for dates and sites), the VTSE Exams will be administered through the AAVSB. (check AAVSB website for dates and sites).

Additional Information All veterinary technicians who wish to be registered in Iowa.