Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Technician Licensure Requirements

General Requirements

Any use of the title "Veterinary Technician" within New York State requires licensure.

To be licensed as a veterinary technician in New York State you must:

• be of good moral character;
• meet education and examination requirements; and
• be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States (USCIS I-551 Status/"Green Card").

Submit an application for licensure and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 135, Section 6711 of New York's Education Law and Part 62 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.

Fees

The fee for licensure is $177.

The fee for a three-year limited license is $177.

The fee for a limited permit is $50.

Fees are subject to change. The fee due is the one in law when your application is received (unless fees are increased retroactively). You will be billed for the difference if fees have been increased.

• Do not send cash.
• Make your personal check or money order payable to the New York State Education Department. Your cancelled check is your receipt.
• Mail your application and fee to:

  New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
  PO Box 22063
  Albany, NY 12201
  

Partial Refunds

Individuals who withdraw their licensure application may be entitled to a partial refund.

• For the procedure to withdraw your application, contact the Veterinary Technology Unit at opunit1@mail.nysed.gov or by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 250 or by fax at 518-402-5354.
• The State Education Department is not responsible for any fees paid to an outside testing or credentials verification agency.

If you withdraw your application, obtain a refund, and then decide to seek New York State licensure at a later date, you will be considered a new applicant, and you will be required to pay the licensure and registration fees and meet the licensure requirements in place at the time you reapply.

Education Requirements

To meet the education requirements for licensure, you must have completed a satisfactory secondary school program and hold at least an eighteen month (two academic years) diploma or degree from a college program in veterinary technology registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) or the equivalent as determined by the New York State Education Department.

Examination Requirements

To meet the examination requirement for licensure, you must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Students in the final six months of a veterinary technology program registered by the New York State Education Department or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association may be admitted to the VTNE. All others must meet all education requirements including award of the degree before being admitted. The examination is offered in January and June. You must submit a CASTLE Examination Scheduling Form and the appropriate fee to CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. for admission to the VTNE examination.

For additional information, contact CASTLE at 800-655-4845, or see www.castleworldwide.com/castests/webdesign/DEFAULTnew_york_state.htm.

For information about transferring examination scores, contact the American Association of Veterinary State Boards' (AAVSB) Technician Information Verifying Agency (TIVA) at 816-931-1504 or at their toll-free number 877-698-8482 or visit their Web site at www.aavsb.org.

Reasonable Testing Accommodations

If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the examination, complete and submit the Request for Reasonable Testing Accommodations form. You may also request a copy of the form from opforms@mail.nysed.gov or by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 320 or by fax at 518-473-8222. The Request for Reasonable Testing Accommodations form must be submitted to CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. with your Examination Scheduling Form. You may not sit for the examination until your request has been processed.

Applicants Licensed in Another State (Endorsement)

The Department may endorse a veterinary technician license issued by another state if the Department determines you have met New York's education requirements, have passed a comparable licensing examination and have:

• met all general veterinary technician application requirements;
• been licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States and practiced lawfully for at least 2 years (full-time) following initial licensure; and
• not failed a licensing examination used by the State of New York either prior to or after making application for licensure by endorsement, unless you have later passed a comparable licensing examination.

Limited Permit

You may be issued a limited permit if you meet all of the licensure requirements except the licensing examination and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Your permit will not be issued until all required documentation has been reviewed and approved by the New York State Education Department. If you are issued a limited permit, you must work under the direction of an individual licensed and currently registered to practice veterinary medicine in New York State.

Your limited permit is valid for no more than one year from the date it is issued, or until you have taken and received the results of the licensing examination, whichever occurs first. A limited permit may be renewed once at the discretion of the Department. You may not be issued a limited permit if you have previously held a permit or if you fail the licensing examination.

Three-Year Limited License

Applicants who have met all other requirements for licensure in veterinary technology but have not achieved U.S. citizenship or permanent residency may be eligible for a one time, three-year limited license. An extension of the three-year limited license of not more than one year may be granted. The authority of the Board of Regents to grant three-year limited licenses (or extensions of those licenses) expires December 31, 2009.

For additional information contact the Veterinary Technology Unit at opunit1@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-474-3817 ext. 250 or fax at 518-402-5354.