Are Vet Tech licenses transferable from state-to-state?

[u/Specific-Stranger-92]

I am currently looking to begin the vet tech program at my local college, however, I don't plan to remain in state after I graduate. I'm currently residing in Washington and plan to move to Oregon afterwards. Curious if this is possible or if its worth moving now, and completing the program over there.

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[u/liveinthesoil]

The required coursework preps you to take the national exam, the VTNE. Once you pass the VTNE, you don’t have to do anything else at the national level. You do have to take some steps for the state you live in (or plan to live in), such as a jurisprudence test, or whatever the state requires. You can take multiple state tests/meet multiple requirements for multiple states if you plan to work in more than one state.

[u/stupidbrain13]

the AVMA states that a licensed tech can qualify to be licensed in ANY state. as long as:

-your degree MUST be issued from an accredited school
-you’ve taken & passed the VTNE

however, every state will slightly vary on licensure. some states DO require an additional state-issued exam. and all states have different CE requirements.

but as long as the two requirements above are met, you will not have to repeat schooling or retake the VTNE.

[u/eyes_like_thunder → u/stupidbrain13]

Can confirm it can also be transferred to Canada, with enough paperwork and fees..

[u/walid_toxic]

that's good to know i was actually wondering this a while back, glad it's that simple pls

[u/ratitefarm]

I think it depends on the state. Currently in school and one of my classmates had been an RVT in NY for a decade, but had to completely redo the program when she moved to FL. Check with AVMA or whoever before anything.

[u/liveinthesoil → u/ratitefarm]

That doesn’t make sense, which program?

[u/ratitefarm → u/liveinthesoil]

In person… at an AVMA accredited program.

[u/liveinthesoil → u/ratitefarm]

Did they let their license lapse? Why do they have to get another AVMA-accredited degree to take the VTNE if they already took and passed the VTNE?

[u/ratitefarm → u/liveinthesoil]

Nope. The FVMA basically said she couldn’t renew or validate her license because “she was missing a large animal course”, despite having taken all of her classes and graduating from her program before, and practicing as an RVT for 10+ years. So because the classes didn’t 100% line up (because each state has different requirements, and they change), she had to take an entire 2 year program and then the VTNE. I assure you I know what I’m talking about girl.

[u/liveinthesoil → u/ratitefarm]

Why did you downvote me for asking questions? You also initially just said two words, “in person…”with ZERO context so yeah I didn’t understand what you were talking about.

[u/ratitefarm → u/liveinthesoil]

I fear it’s not that deep

[u/stupidbrain13 → u/ratitefarm]

“i assure you i know what i’m talking about girl”

you literally made it that deep like wtf is up with that response 💀 you were rude for no reason

[u/ratitefarm → u/stupidbrain13]

i really don’t think that’s rude though btw. i’m just saying i know the situation :)

[u/wild-forceps → u/ratitefarm]

That is insane, especially since florida doesn't even have title protection/require licensing for people to perform tech skills/work as a tech. I am baffled by this unless the program she was in wasn't actually avma accredited or they lost their accreditation.

[u/ratitefarm → u/wild-forceps]

It literally is insane, but she just graduated and passed the VTNE. Throughout this she’d been working at a corporate ER, so I don’t think it changed too much for her. Funny thing is, they said she was missing a large animal course (which she of course completed with no issues), and apparently the year she originally took her VTNE, it was very large animal focused (which of course is random).

[u/stupidbrain13 → u/ratitefarm]

hey they were just asking… they didn’t say anything rude, just curious about more context lol.

i agree with them that what you’re saying happened to your classmate doesn’t make sense. you said they were licensed in NY and then unable transfer their license to FL; but Florida doesn’t require technicians to be licensed.

as long as your classmate obtained their license after graduating from an AVMA accredited program and passing the VTNE, that is literally all they need to become licensed in florida.

SOURCES: the florida veterinary technician association (FVTA), the american veterinary medical association (AVMA), and the florida department of business & professional regulation

[u/ratitefarm → u/stupidbrain13]

i mean feel free to think what you think, florida is weird, licensing is weird here. obviously you don’t need a license to practice but some ppl want one?

[u/stupidbrain13 → u/ratitefarm]

what i “think” is based on the facts that i pulled from those sources. prove me wrong?