There are currently three eligibility categories for the RVT examination in California. To be eligible for the RVT examination, a candidate must meet the requirements of only one of these categories.

• 1. Graduate from, at minimum, a two-year curriculum in veterinary technology in a college or other post-secondary institution approved by the California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB). (Generally an AVMA approved school) or complete a program or curriculum that has been deemed "equivalent" to a two-year approved program by the VMB (California approved school). *
• 4. Licensed, certified or registered as an RVT in another state (or in Canada) and have taken an examination determined by the VMB to be equivalent to the California RVT examination and have at least 4416 hours of directed clinical practice in no less than 24 months under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. **
• 5. Complete a combination of at least 4416 hours of directed clinical practice in no less than 24 months under the direct supervision of a California-licensed veterinarian and 300 hours (or 20 semester or 30 quarter units) of specific education. (This is the Alternate Route). **

Other Requirements for Licensure

In addition to meeting the requirements of one of the above eligibility categories, candidates must be:
1. At least 18 years of age
2. Fingerprinted (live scan) prior to licensure
3. Free of convictions for crimes substantially related to the practice and duties of an RVT. (Anyone who has any convictions should contact the VMB to be sure they will be eligible.)

You can download the VMB's Registered Veterinary Technician application at: www.vmb.ca.gov/applicants/forms.

* Please Note: Categories 2 & 3, graduation from an unapproved RVT program and possession of a 4-year degree in an animal related science, were eliminated as of July 2009.
** As of July 2009, the term practical experience was replaced with directed clinical practice and the number of hours were changed to reflect the State of California’s definition of full-time work.

Essentially, the new regulation states that as of July 1, 2011, RVTs will be required to accumulate 20 hours of continuing education during the 2 years prior to re-licensure. This means that RVTs whose licenses are due for renewal after July 1, 2013 can start taking approved CE courses as of July 1, 2011. If your renewal date is in October 2011, the first time you will be required to have your 20 hours of CE will for your October 2013 license renewal. This means, between October 2011 and October 2013, you must accumulate the required 20 hours of CE.

The law also states that the CE credits must be from an approved provider (virtually all large conferences, like our Back-to-School Conference, are approved CE providers; as is CE given by RVT schools and associations). Four (4) hours of the required 20 hours can be self-study, meaning reading journals or listening to audio or video.

Once your 2-year clock starts running, be sure to keep any CE attendance certificates that you earn. There will be a check-off box on the license renewal form where you state that you completed your required 20 hours. About 10% of licensees will be audited for documentation.

Keep checking our web site for more information as we get it. You can read the entire regulation by going to: http://www.vmb.ca.gov/laws_regs/rvt_language.pdf.

You also can download this pdf of the VMB's explanation of RVT CE accrual timing.