There are two ways to become licensed as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in Maryland. The first is to graduate from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program. The second is to acquire signficant education and experience. For specific requirements, read on.
For graduates of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program.
The following items are required to apply for licensure in Maryland.
Test Scores: To apply for licensure, you must first take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). For information on applying to take the VTNE, visit:
www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at (816) 931-1504. The VTNE is offered during three testing windows at five locations in Maryland and two in Washington D.C.
If you have already taken and passed the VTNE and you sat for this exam in Maryland, your scores will be transferred to us automatically.
If you have already taken and passed the VTNE but did not sit for the exam in Maryland, you are responsible for having your score transferred to us by the Veterinary Technician Information
Verifying Agency (TIVA), which is affiliated with the
AAVSB.
Transcripts: Provide the State Board with a final transcript from your AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. This document should be sent directly from the college to the Board office. If you are supplying us with this document, it must be submitted in an envelope with an unbroken seal from the college.
Photograph: One headshot, about 2" x 3", taken within the past 6 months, must be uploaded.
Letters of Good Standing, if applicable: If you are now licensed, or have ever been licensed, in another state or jurisdiction, Letters of Good Standing or registration verification must be sent to us directly from all other State Boards and/or any other jurisdiction where you were licensed. These letters may be emailed from an official state office; however, faxes are not accepted.
Documentation if you have any pending or past disciplinary action with another state Board or if you have any criminal convictions (other than minor traffic violations), you must provide all related documentation..
Applicants who are not a graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program.
If you have not graduated from an accredited Vet Tech Program but want to be licensed as an RVT, all items below must be submitted before you can sit for the VTNE.
Apply here to take the VTNE
Transcripts: Provide the State Board with a final transcript showing that you hold an associate's degree or higher level degree. This document should be sent directly from the college to the SBVME's office. If you are supplying the SBVME with this document, it must be submitted in an envelope with an unbroken seal from the college. NOTE! Your transcripts must include a minimum of three credits with a passing grade of C or above in each of the following college level courses:
- Biology I and II;
- Microbiology;
- Chemistry;
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
Skills Assessment. Submit a Technician Skill Set Assessment, that has been completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian who has worked with and has extensive knowledge of the applicant’s abilities. Applicants are expected to perform all duties listed. The applicant should provide the reviewing veterinarian with an addressed, stamped envelope and should not be returned to the applicant. The veterinarian should sign across the back of the seal before mailing.
Proof of Work Experience: Proof of completion of 10,000 hours of work experience as a
technician, with a signed and notarized affidavit from a supervising veterinarian specifying the
number of hours worked and the dates worked;
Proof of Continuing Education: Proof of having completed a minimum of 24 hours of veterinary
technician continuing education;
Proof of Emergency Experience: Proof of having completed a minimum of 24 hours of work as a
veterinary technician in a veterinary emergency facility.
Test Scores: After the State Board has received and reviewed all the required documentation (above), a determination will be made as to your eligibility to sit the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). If you are approved, you will be notified by the state Board. You will then have to make arrangement to take the exam. For information, see: www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at (816) 931-1504.
