Kansas City, MO (October 18, 2021) – Earlier this year, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards® (AAVSB®) launched Veterinary Care Elite, a gold standard program for veterinary technicians recognizing those who demonstrate their commitment to performing at the highest level.
The program initially opened in April to VTNE applicants graduating from an AVMA-CVTEA or CVMA accredited program and intending to be credentialed in a United States or Canadian jurisdiction which regulates veterinary technicians. As of October 18, 2021, the program is now open to credentialed veterinary technicians in all the AAVSB Member Board jurisdictions which regulate veterinary technicians.
Veterinary Care Elite program members are role models for colleagues, highly regarded in their workplace, and sought after by practices looking to hire exemplary professionals. This program benefits the broader veterinary community by identifying those that meet the highest bar. Employers are assured these professionals are of the highest caliber, and clients will take comfort in knowing the best of the best are providing their veterinary care. The AAVSB Member Boards are assured of accurate, up-to-date information regarding their licensees.
The program has kicked off in the United States and Canada with the AAVSB Member Board credentialed veterinary technicians, a veterinary professional with the most wide-ranging standards across North America. As veterinary technicians enroll in Veterinary Care Elite, the AAVSB will collect, verify, and store their qualifications and accomplishments, acting as a professional repository for the licensee. That repository is housed in the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency® (VIVA®), a secure and comprehensive database of licensing information established by the AAVSB Member Boards in 1994.
By enrolling in Veterinary Care Elite, veterinary technicians agree to maintaining the highest standard of a veterinary professional, including:
- graduating from an AVMA-CVTEA or CVMA accredited program in veterinary technology/nursing,
- passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam® (VTNE®),
- maintaining at least one current credential from an AAVSB Member Board regulating veterinary technicians,
- maintaining credentials in good standing, and
- completing continuing education credits as required by the Veterinary Care Elite program.
“The AAVSB is looking forward to the positive impact Veterinary Care Elite will have on the veterinary regulatory process as a whole,” remarked James Penrod, Executive Director of the AAVSB. “Regulatory boards will benefit directly from greater efficiency in the licensure process, and accessibility for veterinary medical professionals seeking greater mobility.”
Veterinary Care Elite applicants will maintain their Enrollee status until they pass the VTNE and become credentialed by an AAVSB Member Board. Once they have been credentialed for a full year with no disciplinary actions, they will be a full Elite member.
Learn more at VeterinaryCareElite.aavsb.org or contact press@aavsb.org.
About the AAVSB: The AAVSB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the veterinary regulatory community. The membership of the AAVSB consists of 62 jurisdictions representing all of the United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and nine Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.