Certification

Purpose of Certification

  • To distinguish those within the field of veterinary technology who have attained a professional level of knowledge and skill as demonstrated by the fulfillment of the Requirements for Certification.
  • To establish minimum ethical and educational standards for veterinary technicians within the State of New Hampshire

Requirements for Certification in New Hampshire - effective January 1, 2020

  • A degree from a program in Veterinary Technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). For the most up to date list of accredited programs visit the AVMA’s website.

            and

  • Documentation of achievement of a qualifying score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) within the last five years (given by the AAVSB). In NH a degree from an AVMA accredited program is required to take the VTNE. For more information about the VTNE – testing periods, testing locations and practice exams visit the AAVSB website. For study resources for the VTNE click here.
  • Time Limits: Any individual applying for certification in NH for the first time more than two years after receiving a passing VTNE score must provide the NHVTA with 12 CEU per year since passing the VTNE. If it has been more than five years since you passed the VTNE and you have not been certified in any state you must retake the exam.

  • Reciprocity: An individual who has achieved certification in another state that meets or exceeds the requirements of certification of the NHVTA may apply for reciprocity. Applicant must provide the following via the online Reciprocity Application Form

    • A complete NHVTA Reciprocity application form
    • Documentation of a current license/certification by another state.
    • The NHVTA may require the applicant to provide documentation of current state credentialing requirements.
    • Diploma or transcripts from accredited AVMA Veterinary Technology/Nursing Program and documentation of a passing grade on the VTNE may be required. 
    • Reciprocity application fee

NHVTA Renewal Requirements

Click here to view the full certification requirement document

Certification status you must earn 12 continuing education credits annually. The NHVTA does not keep track of CE credits for Veterinary Technicians who attend NHVTA approved seminars. Please retain your attendance certificates from each seminar and include information on your renewal application. Your CE may be obtained online. At this time there is no limit to the number of online CEU you may submit.

  • The NHVTA no longer requires physical copies of your CEU. Please use the online form to submit your renewal application. You do not need to send us the physical copies. We will be auditing a percentage of our membership annually. It is your responsibility to keep your proof of CEU. In the event that you are audited you will be required to present proof of the CEU you obtained. If proof is not available your certification is subject to revocation.
  • Each term of certification is for ONE year from January 1st through December 31st.
  • Applications received after December 31st and before March 1st are required to pay a $25 late fee.
  • Certifications lapsed more than 60 days required submission of the Amnesty application form
  • If an application is not received with the appropriate amount of required CEU it will be rejected. The technician will be notified and will be required to submit the required CEU. If the CEU is not received by Dec 31st of the year of intended certification then the technician’s certification will be considered lapsed and they will need to refer to the Amnesty Policy for reinstatement (see below).
  • A minimum of nine (9) of the mandatory 12 required CEU per calendar year must be directly pertaining to the field of veterinary medicine. Please read the full Certification Requirements document for more details when planning your CE.
  • Credits for Certification must be obtained between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year. (for example. CE for 2018 certification must be obtained between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2017.)
  • CE does not carry over: If you submit more than 12 CEUs for any one year’s certification they will not carry over for use in the following year.
  • The NHVTA reserves the right to refuse to approve CE credit from seminars that were not approved by the NHVTA if these seminars are deemed to be inappropriate or of poor quality. If you are unsure if your CE will qualify please contact us.  You can also refer to this list of approved providers. 

 

Lapsed Membership?

NHVTA Amnesty Policy for Technicians with Lapsed Certifications

The NHVTA offers an Amnesty Program for those technicians whose certification has lapsed for less than three years. Applicants must provide the following in the Amnesty form:

  • A complete Amnesty Application Form for each year missed.
  • Proof of 12 CEU earned for each year missed. The CEU’s do not have to be from the missed year, but 12 for each missed year are required.
  • A total payment of $75 per year lapsed is required.

Certifications lapsed three years or more require:

  • Submitting a new CVT application form, meeting all certification requirements including a passing score on the VTNE within the past five years.

Note: Amnesty Program does not apply if you have a current certification/license in another state. If that is the case apply for reciprocity.