OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

California Veterinary Technician — Requirements & Free Practice

US-CA · License preparation

300 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Loading selected examination banks…

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Certificate of registration required under B&P Code § 4841 to perform the tasks the Board designates for registered veterinary technicians or to use the title; issued by the California Veterinary Medical Board.

Licensing authority: California Veterinary Medical Board · Application information

Registration by examination (initial registration)
Veterinary Technician National Examination
Application
Complete and submit an application on a form furnished by the Board (online through BreEZe) and pay the fees specified in B&P Code section 4905 (B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(1)-(2)).
Denial Grounds
Application subject to denial under B&P Code sections 480, 4842 and 4883.
Education Pathway
Furnish satisfactory evidence of one of: (A) graduation from at least a two-year AVMA-accredited veterinary technology curriculum (private institutions also BPPE-approved); (B) a combination of education and clinical practice experience as determined by the Board (16 CCR § 2068.5 Alternate Route: at least 20 semester units/30 quarter units/300 hours of specified education plus at least 4,416 hours of directed clinical practice under a California-licensed veterinarian); (C) graduation from a veterinary college recognized by the Board; (D) AAVSB PAVE for Veterinary Technicians equivalency; or (E) ECFVG or PAVE equivalency (B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(4)).
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints for a state and federal criminal history record check (B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(3)); Live Scan in California, or two FD-258 cards for out-of-state applicants per the Board page.
Identification
Provide full legal name and a nine-digit SSN or ITIN (Board page).
License Disclosure
Disclose every state, Canadian province or U.S. territory where any veterinary license, registration, certificate or permit is or was held, verified electronically or directly (B&P Code § 4841.5(b)).
Sixty Month Rule
16 CCR § 2015(c)-(d): the VTNE must be passed within the sixty-month period following the initial examination administration, or be retaken and passed.
Vault
After passing the VTNE and applying, request an AAVSB VAULT transfer for veterinary technicians (Board page).
Vtne Score Age
If the VTNE was passed more than five years before the application, the applicant must retake and pass it, or show at least two years and 2,500 hours of clinical practice in another state, Canadian province or U.S. territory within the preceding three years, or complete the continuing education required by B&P Code § 4858.2 for the current and preceding year (B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(5)(A)-(C)).
Renewal of a registration expired for five years or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal Within Five Years
File a renewal application within five years after expiration and pay all accrued and unpaid renewal fees; a delinquency fee applies if renewed more than 30 days after expiration (B&P Code §§ 4843.5, 4901).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Inactive registration issued to a current active registrant
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active Unrestricted
Current holder of an active registration that is not suspended, revoked or otherwise punitively restricted; apply and pay the normal renewal fee (B&P Code § 701(b)).
No Practice
The inactive holder may not engage in activity requiring an active registration or represent that it is active (B&P Code § 702).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Restoration of an inactive registration to active status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete continuing education equivalent to one renewal period (B&P Code § 704(b); 20 hours under B&P Code § 4858.2(a)).
Renewal Fee
Pay the renewal fee (B&P Code § 704(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Temporary license for the spouse of an active duty service member stationed in California
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
B&P Code § 115.6(j)(1) excludes a board that already offers expedited temporary authorization for at least one year or an expedited license by endorsement with no requirements beyond subdivisions (c) and (d).
Military Spouse
Married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to a duty station in California (B&P Code § 115.6(c)(1)).
No Discipline
No act constituting grounds for denial, no discipline elsewhere and no unresolved complaint; fingerprints on request (B&P Code § 115.6(c)(4)-(6)).
Out Of State License
Hold a current, active and unrestricted license in another U.S. state, district or territory within the same scope, verified in good standing by the original licensing jurisdiction, with a signed affidavit (B&P Code § 115.6(c)(2)-(3)).
Term
Nonrenewable; expires 12 months after issuance or on issuance or denial of a standard, endorsement or expedited license (B&P Code § 115.6(h)); no fee (B&P Code § 115.6(k)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

New registration after a registration was not renewed within five years of expiration
Veterinary Technician National Examination
Alternative Qualification
B&P Code § 4844(c) (statute) allows the person, instead of taking the examination that would be required of a first-time applicant, to 'otherwise establish to the satisfaction of the board that, with due regard for the public interest, he or she is qualified to be a registered veterinary technician'; B&P Code § 4902 (statute) requires meeting all requirements as a new applicant.
Fees
Pay all fees required of a first-time applicant (B&P Code § 4844(d)).
New Applicant
A registration not renewed within five years after expiration is canceled; the person may obtain a new registration by applying as a new applicant and meeting all requirements (B&P Code § 4902; Board page).
No Denial Grounds
Not subject to denial under B&P Code § 480, and no fact exists that would justify revocation or suspension (B&P Code § 4844(a)-(b)).
Registration of a veterinary technician registered in another U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction
Veterinary Technician National Examination
Application
Application, fees, fingerprints and license disclosure as for registration by examination (B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(1)-(3), (b)).
Clinical Practice
At least 4,416 hours, completed in no less than 24 months, of directed clinical practice under a veterinarian licensed in the United States, Canada or a U.S. territory, with a supervising-veterinarian skills checklist (16 CCR § 2068.6(b)-(c)); the Board page states the applicant must either complete one of the three education pathways or submit the Task list - Proof of Experience Form.
Equivalent Examination
16 CCR § 2068.6(a) states the Board determines that the applicant 'has passed the national veterinary technician examination or an examination equivalent to the written examination last required in California'; 16 CCR § 2015.1(g) makes § 2068.6 eligibility available 'In lieu of passing the national veterinary technician examination within a sixty month period'. B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(5) (statute, controlling) requires passing the national licensing examination for veterinary technicians.
Military Spouse Expedite
B&P Code § 115.5: the Board expedites licensure and waives the application and initial license fees for an applicant married to (or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with) an active duty service member stationed in California who holds a current license in the profession in another U.S. jurisdiction.
No Discipline
No disciplinary action by any public agency concerned with animal health care and no adverse civil or criminal judgments showing a pattern of incompetency or negligence (16 CCR § 2068.6(d)).
Out Of State Registration
Hold a veterinary technician license, certificate or registration in good standing in the United States, Canada or a U.S. territory (16 CCR § 2068.6(a)); the Board page requires a Letter of Good Standing from every U.S. or Canadian board that ever issued one, unless VAULT documentation covers all jurisdictions.
Vtne Score Age
If the VTNE was passed more than five years before the application: retake and pass it, or show two years and 2,500 hours of clinical practice elsewhere within the preceding three years, or complete the B&P Code § 4858.2 continuing education for the current and preceding year (B&P Code § 4841.5(a)(5)).
Probationary registration issued to an applicant
Veterinary Technician National Examination
Board Discretion
Issued in the Board's sole discretion to an applicant, subject to terms and conditions such as treatment, rehabilitation program participation, abstention and compliance with the chapter (B&P Code § 4845(a)).
Dismissed Convictions
Applicants with dismissed convictions provide proof of dismissal; the Board considers rehabilitation evidence and character references (B&P Code § 4845(b)).
Registration Qualifications
The applicant otherwise applies for registration under B&P Code § 4841.5; no registration is issued without demonstrated competency by examination (B&P Code § 4841.4(a)).
Standard Terms
Standard probation terms include a three-year limit, a process to obtain a standard registration, supervision and quarterly reporting (B&P Code § 4845(d)).
Biennial renewal of an unexpired registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Address And Email
Report mailing address changes within 30 days and report the e-mail address at renewal (B&P Code §§ 4842.7, 4900(d)).
Continuing Education
At least 20 hours of continuing education in the preceding two years (B&P Code § 4858.2(a)).
Renewal Application
Apply biennially on a Board form, on or before expiration, with the renewal fee and the required conviction/discipline statement (B&P Code §§ 4842.6, 4900(c)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Registration of a relocated servicemember or servicemember spouse holding an out of state license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affidavit
Submit a California address of record and an affidavit of eligibility and accuracy (B&P Code § 115.10(b)(7)).
Duration
The registration expires when the military orders expire; no fee (B&P Code § 115.10(e), (g)).
Military Orders
Relocated to California because of military orders and submits a copy; a spouse submits evidence of the marriage, domestic partnership or legal union (B&P Code § 115.10(b)(2), (6)).
Out Of State License
Hold a professional license in good standing in another U.S. state, district or territory within a similar scope of practice, with good-standing verification from each licensing jurisdiction (B&P Code § 115.10(b)(1), (4)-(5)).
Recent Practice
Performed at least one activity within the scope of the license during the two years immediately preceding relocation (B&P Code § 115.10(b)(3)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-01-01.

Veterinary Technician National Examination

Provider
American Association of Veterinary State Boards
Format
Three-hour multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
170 multiple-choice questions; 150 scored operational questions and 20 pilot questions
Examination outline
  • Pharmacy and Pharmacology (13%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to the use of pharmacological, chemical, and biological agents.
    • Prepare medications in compliance with veterinarian's orders.
    • Calculate medications, fluid therapy rate, and continuous rate infusions based on the appropriate dosage in compliance with veterinarian's orders.
    • Dispense medications in compliance with veterinary orders.
    • Maintain controlled drug inventory, related logbooks, and medical records.
    • Recognize classifications of drugs, their mechanisms, and clinically relevant side effects.
    • Store, handle, and safely dispose of pharmacological, chemical, and biological agents.
  • Surgical Nursing (13%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to surgical nursing.
    • Prepare the surgical environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the surgical team and patient.
    • Prepare patient for surgical procedure.
    • Function as a sterile surgical technician to ensure patient safety and procedural efficiency.
    • Function as a circulating (non-sterile) surgical technician to ensure patient safety and procedural efficiency.
    • Clean instruments by the appropriate method (including but not limited to manual, soak, or ultrasonic).
    • Maintain aseptic conditions in surgical suite and during surgical procedures.
    • Maintain the surgical environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the surgical team and patient.
    • Sterilize equipment and supplies by the appropriate method (including but not limited to steam, gas).
  • Dentistry (7%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to dentistry.
    • Prepare and maintain the environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the dental team and patient.
    • Perform Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) (including but not limited to scaling and polishing; manual and machine).
    • Produce diagnostic dental radiographs.
  • Laboratory Procedures (9%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to laboratory procedures.
    • Prepare and maintain specimens and documentation for in-house or outside laboratory evaluation.
    • Perform laboratory tests and procedures (including but not limited to microbiology, serology, cytology, hematology, urinalysis, and parasitology).
    • Maintain laboratory equipment and related supplies to ensure safety and quality of results.
  • Animal Care and Nursing (20%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to patient care and nursing.
    • Document and manage initial and ongoing evaluations of patient to provide optimal care (including but not limited to physical, behavioral, nutritional, clinical procedures, and mentation status).
    • Perform nursing procedures and maintenance of prescribed treatments (including but not limited to catheterization, wound management, and bandaging).
    • Perform clinical procedures to aid in diagnosis and prognosis (including but not limited to blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography, and tonometry).
    • Provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for patient to ensure optimal healthcare and client/personnel safety.
    • Maintain diagnostic equipment and related supplies to ensure safety and quality of results.
    • Administer medications via the appropriate routes (including but not limited to topical, intravenous, subcutaneous).
    • Collect specimens for in-house or outside laboratory evaluation.
    • Recognize and respond to behavioral characteristics of patient.
    • Restrain patient with or without equipment for treatment following safety protocols.
  • Diagnostic Imaging (6%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to diagnostic images.
    • Produce and document diagnostic images and/or radiographs (excluding dental) following protocols for safety and quality of results.
    • Maintain imaging/radiograph equipment and related materials to ensure safety and quality of results.
  • Anesthesia (13%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to anesthesia.
    • Assist in the development and implementation of an anesthetic plan to ensure patient safety and procedural efficacy.
    • Prepare anesthetic equipment and related supplies to ensure operator and patient safety.
    • Maintain anesthetic equipment and related materials to ensure reliable operation.
    • Establish and maintain a patent airway using endotracheal intubation.
    • Monitor and respond to patient status during all stages of anesthesia (pre-, peri-, and post-).
  • Emergency Medicine/Critical Care (7%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to emergency medicine and critical care.
    • Perform triage of a patient presenting with emergency/critical conditions (including but not limited to shock, acute illness, acute trauma, and toxicity).
    • Perform emergency nursing procedures (including but not limited to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), control acute blood loss, and fracture stabilization).
    • Perform critical care nursing procedures (including but not limited to blood component therapy, fluid resuscitation, and ongoing oxygen therapy).
    • Perform ongoing evaluations of physical, behavioral, nutritional, and mentation status of patient in emergency and critical conditions.
  • Pain Management/Analgesia (7%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to pain management and analgesia.
    • Recognize need for analgesia in patient.
    • Assist in the development and implementation of the pain management plan to optimize patient comfort and/or healing.
  • Communication and Veterinary Professional Support Services (5%)
    • Educate the client about animal care, risks, and side effects to promote and maintain the health of animals and the safety of client/public (including but not limited to behavior, nutrition, pharmacological/biological/chemical agents, dental health, anesthetic procedures, pain assessment/management, pre- and post-operative care, preventative care, zoonosis)
    • Maintain professional communication in all client and veterinary team interactions.
    • Collect patient information (including but not limited to signalment, medical history, primary complaint).
    • Provide assistance with the euthanasia process (including but not limited to consent, aftercare, grief management).
Examination sources