• Speaking and Media Policy
• Travel Expense Policy
• Code of Conduct Policy
• Confidentiality Policy 
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• AAVSB Model Scope of Practice for Veterinary Technicians
• Board Meeting Agenda Policy
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• Nominations and Elections Policy
• Board Travel Expectations Policy
• Code of Ethics Policy
• Veterinary Technician Oath
• WSAVA Conference Policy

• Document Retention Policy
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Summary of NAVTA Positions Related to credentialing, titles, and scope of practice
Adopted by the NAVTA Board of Directors November 2023. Amended November 2024.

Credentialing Standards

• Support specifying obtaining a veterinary technology or nursing degree from an AVMA-accredited program as the educational requirement (instead of any board-approved educational pathway)
• Support passing of the VTNE being required as the nationally standardized exam for credentialing
• Oppose establishment of alternate routes to credentialing
• Support the establishment of CE requirements

Title Definition and Protection

• Veterinary Technician
  • Support establishment of “General Protection” as defined by NAVTA for Veterinary Technicians or Veterinary Nurses. (i.e. protecting the terms “Veterinary Technician” or “Technician”, and “Veterinary Nurse” and not limited specifically to “Registered Veterinary Technician”, “Certified Veterinary Technician”, “Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician” or “Licensed Veterinary Technician” and their “Veterinary Nurse” variants)
  • Support protecting the use of credential abbreviations. (i.e. protecting the use of “RVT”, “CVT”, “LVT”, “LVMT” and “VN” variants in applicable states)
• Veterinary Technologist and Veterinary Technician Specialist
  • Support establishment of definition and protection of “Veterinary Technologist” and “Veterinary Technician Specialist.”
  • Support establishment of protecting the use of credential abbreviations for Veterinary Technologists, Veterinary Technician Specialists, and Veterinary Nurse Specialists. (i.e., protecting the use of “RVTg,” “CVTg,” “LVTg,” “LVMTg,” and all “VTS” and “VNS” designations)
• Veterinary Nurse
  • Support establishment of title definition and protection of “Veterinary Nurse” to coexist with “Veterinary Technician.”
  • Support the appropriate use of “Veterinary Nurse,” reserving it for credentialed veterinary technicians
• Enforcement
  • Support establishment of authority to penalize violations of title protection

Scope of Practice

• Support the establishment of a defined scope of practice that is restricted to credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses. NAVTA currently endorses the AAVSB Model Regulations – Scope of Practice for Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Technologists revised December 2020.

Licensure Maintenance Requirements

• Renewal schedule – every 2 years
• Number of CE credits required per renewal period – 24 CE credits per renewal period
• Medical vs non-medical – max 6 non-medical CE credits per 2 year renewal period
• Method of delivery – Live In-person, live online webinar, and recorded on-demand (with quiz required)
• Approving body – RACE, AAHA, AVMA, NAVTA, VTAs, VMA’s or  other recognized/national/reputable bodies (such as USDA or DEA)

Rationale on recommendation

The subcommittee looked for widely accepted licensing maintenance standards but found none. We then researched and documented current requirements for veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and nurses (human medical professionals).

The most common licensing cycle in the veterinary profession is a two-year cycle. The subcommittee discussed this allowed individuals to attend large multi-session conferences and often obtain all required CE credits, versus states renewing annually, which generally requires all CE to be obtained in the renewal year. We also discussed that separating the renewals over two years could be easier for the licensing bodies to manage rather than the annual model.

We had long discussions on the required number of CE credits. The average requirement is currently 8.5 per year, with North Dakota requiring only 8 CEUs every 2 years and New York requiring 45 every 3 years. Some states only require nurses to complete CE if they are not currently practicing. The subcommittee thought it was important that our requirement was higher than our human counterparts to show our commitment to our patients and advancing our profession. We also believe that with the abundance of good quality free CE available online, requiring 24 CE credits in a 2-year renewal period (12 per year) would not pose a hardship to individuals.

Many states limit non-medical/clinical CE credits to 6 or fewer per 2 year cycle. The subcommittee agreed that this restriction was reasonable and necessary.

Many states limit the number of online live or on-demand CE credits allowed per renewal period. We discussed that an abundance of online CE is available, and the quality is as good as in-person offerings. On-demand CE with a quiz required to obtain CE credit demonstrates that the attendee understands the material presented versus simply sitting in a room listening to the presentation.

Most states allow CE approved by RACE, AAHA, AVMA, NAVTA, VTAs, VMA’s. Some specifically mention allowing additional approving organizations, such as the DEA and USDA. The subcommittee agreed with allowing all of these.

Added November 22, 2024

NAVTA Statement on Colorado Proposition 129

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is committed to advancing the role and recognition of credentialed Veterinary Technicians, focusing its efforts on three key areas: improving utilization, protecting the Veterinary Technician title, and increasing wages for these professionals. NAVTA believes that addressing these concerns is crucial to the well-being and success of veterinary technicians in the profession and, most importantly, to providing safe, effective, and proper care to the animals treated by Veterinary Technicians.

NAVTA acknowledges that the passage of Colorado’s Proposition 129 created a new position called a “Veterinary Professional Associate” (VPA) within the veterinary field. NAVTA will continue to monitor developments on this front to make sure this position is a boon, and not detrimental, to Veterinary Technicians, veterinary medicine, and the animals served.

NAVTA also promises to ensure that credentialed Veterinary Technicians who pursue advanced education are recognized and celebrated.

NAVTA continues to encourage open dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders to advance the veterinary profession inclusively and thoughtfully, always with the end goal being safe, effective, and proper care to the animals being treated.

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) strongly urges employers to reserve use of the job title “Veterinary Nurse” to those who hold valid Veterinary Technician credentials from their state.

“NAVTA recognizes that a growing number of employers are advertising positions for veterinary nurses,” said NAVTA President Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition).  “NAVTA only supports the use of the job title ‘Veterinary Nurse’ by credentialed Veterinary Technicians – those with a valid CVT, LVT, LVMT, or RVT designation.  NAVTA urges that employers require credentials as a Veterinary Technician for those in Veterinary Nurse positions.”

NAVTA also recommends that job postings specify that applicants must be credentialed Veterinary Technicians in accordance with state regulations.

NAVTA is a not-for-profit membership community of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians dedicated to advancing the profession of veterinary nursing through advocacy, awareness, and professional development.

For more information, please contact NAVTA at info@navta.net, or visit www.navta.net.