Vet 800 Administrative Rules - Veterinary Nurses, Veterinary Technicians, and Veterinary Assistants

May 7, 2026 UPDATE

The New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine has extended the deadline to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) for individuals who are not graduates of an American Veterinary Medical Association ("AVMA") accredited veterinary technology or veterinary nursing program.

"The Board recognizes some candidates have experienced challenges taking and passing the VTNE by the May 2, 2026 deadline, despite these rules being in place for several years. Candidates wishing to comply may be unable to take the exam in time due to circumstances beyond their control.
The Board, through this standing order, determines candidates wishing to be credentialed according to Vet 802.02(c or d) and Vet 102.01(as) shall be eligible to meet the definition of veterinary technician if the candidate signs up by June 15 to take and pass the VTNE during the testing period lasting from May 15, 2026, through July 15, 2026." (Standing Order Extending the Deadline to Pass the VTNE)

 

In compliance with the New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine Rules, individuals seeking credentialing with the NHVTA through the alternative pathway who pass the VTNE during the May 15 - July 15 testing window may submit the NHVTA Alternative Pathway application.

Please note that the AAVSB application deadline for this testing window is June 15, 2026.

NHVTA Alternative Pathway applications with a passing score received on the VTNE after July 15, 2026, will not be accepted, even though the alternative pathway application deadline remains open until October 15, 2026.

 The NH Board of Veterinary Medicine finalized and adopted Vet 800 Veterinary Nurses, Veterinary Technicians, and Veterinary Assistants administrative rules at their March 15, 2023, meeting. These rules became effective on May 15, 2023.

These rules outline tasks allowed to be performed by veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. The rules also include a clause allowing individuals meeting specific requirements who have not graduated from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited veterinary technology program to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become credentialed. Please see the NH Board of Veterinary Medicine Administrative Rules (Chapter Vet 100-1000) for full details.

Those seeking certification through an alternative pathway.

The State of Wisconsin currently allows non-Wisconsin residents to apply to sit for the VTNE and then become certified in Wisconsin (ref. Veterinary Technician Certification Application Process and Veterinary Technician Application). After passing the VTNE July 15, 2026, individuals are be eligible to apply for certification in NH using the Alternative Pathway Application. This alternative pathway to becoming certified with the NHVTA expires on October 15, 2026.  Passing the WI state exam to become certified in WI is not required. Travel to WI is not required. The VTNE is taken online remotely.

NHVTA alternative pathway for the certification process

Individuals who are currently certified, registered, or licensed in another state

The NHVTA updated its reciprocity rules for a limited time to allow reciprocity from states that do not meet the NHVTA standard of a degree from an AVMA-approved Veterinary Technology program and a passing score on the VTNE to make a path for those pursuing the VTNE through NH to be certified with the NHVTA. In doing so, it allowed reciprocity from those credentialed in another state, including Wisconsin. This alternative reciprocity pathway to becoming certified with the NHVTA expires on October 15, 2026.

NHVTA reciprocity for the certification process

Vet 800 requirements may be satisfied by taking the VTNE through WI and applying for NH certification via Alternative Pathway Application, maintaining a certification, license, or registration in any other state, or using reciprocity to become certified in NH and maintain your certification in NH. NHVTA CVT Membership.

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