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North Carolina Veterinary Technician — Requirements & Free Practice

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Registered Veterinary Technician

Registration with the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board as a veterinary technician under G.S. 90-187.6 and 21 NCAC 66 .0303.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board · Application information

Initial registration of a graduate of an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program (G.S. 90 181(11)a)
Canadian Graduates
The Board page notes the AVMA recommendation that US credentialing entities recognize graduates of CVMA-accredited veterinary technology programs, while eligibility remains the purview of each state.
Citizenship
United States citizen or Qualified Alien pursuant to 8 USC 1641(b) (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Criminal History Check
Consent to a criminal history record check; failure to consent results in denial under NCGS 93B-8.1(c) (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Documents
Degree-conferred transcript sent by the school, and license verifications from every state in which a veterinary technician registration was held, no older than six months (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Education
Successful completion of a post-high school course in the care and treatment of animals that conforms to AVMA accreditation standards (G.S. 90-181(11)a); the Board page states graduation from an AVMA CVTEA accredited program.
Lapsed Over Three Years
A person whose registration has been revoked for more than three years for failure to renew qualifies for registration by meeting the requirements of G.S. 90-186(4) and the applicable Board rules, i.e. this initial registration route (G.S. 90-187.9(c)).
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age and information from which the Board can determine honesty and integrity (21 NCAC 66 .0303(a)).
No Reciprocity
North Carolina does not accept reciprocity; applicants registered in other states follow this route and must pass the NC State Exam (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page; FAQ Professionals item 4).
State Exam After Graduation
New graduates may not take the NC State Exam before graduation; a degree-conferred transcript is required (NCVMB page).
State Exam Timing
Not eligible to take the NC State Exam until the application, including all required documents, is complete; the exam must be completed within six months of submitting the application (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Vtne Before Graduation
Students may take the VTNE up to six months before graduation; the NCVMB requires a letter of academic standing from the school showing the anticipated graduation date (NCVMB page).
Reinstatement from inactive status (21 NCAC 66 .0309(b))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competence
Board determination that the inactive registrant is competent to practice (21 NCAC 66 .0309(b)(1)).
Continuing Education
Required continuing education credits earned in the year preceding reinstatement (21 NCAC 66 .0309(b)(3)).
Fee
Payment of the required renewal fee for the current year when the application is filed (21 NCAC 66 .0309(b)(2)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-04-01.

Reinstatement within three years after revocation for failure to renew (G.S. 90 187.9(a))
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Proof of the continuing education credits required for each year the registration was revoked (G.S. 90-187.9(a)).
Fees
Application for reinstatement, all accrued renewal fees and the reinstatement fee (G.S. 90-187.9(a)).
Time Limit
Within three years following revocation for failure to apply for renewal (G.S. 90-187.9(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-08-29.

Biennial renewal of veterinary technician registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
12 continuing education credit hours per two-calendar-year renewal period, at most six from self-study or non-interactive courses; exempt for the first renewal if registered in the year of graduation (21 NCAC 66 .0206(2), (11)).
Renewal Fee
Payment of the renewal fee every 24 months; registrant otherwise eligible for renewal (21 NCAC 66 .0303(d)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-01-09.

Initial registration of a holder of a veterinary medicine degree from a college recognized by the Board for licensure of veterinarians (G.S. 90 181(11)b)
North Carolina Veterinary Technician Examination
Board Page Vtne Statement
21 NCAC 66 .0303(b) requires the VTNE only of applicants meeting G.S. 90-181(11)a. The NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page states generally: "One must have a passing score on the VTNE." and "The VTNE is a requirement for registration as a veterinary technician in North Carolina." The applicant should confirm with the Board whether it will ask for a VTNE score.
Citizenship
United States citizen or Qualified Alien pursuant to 8 USC 1641(b) (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Criminal History Check
Consent to a criminal history record check; failure to consent results in denial under NCGS 93B-8.1(c) (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Documents
Degree-conferred transcript sent by the school, and license verifications from every state in which a veterinary technician registration was held, no older than six months (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).
Education
Degree in veterinary medicine from a college of veterinary medicine recognized by the Board for licensure of veterinarians (G.S. 90-181(11)b).
Lapsed Over Three Years
A person whose registration has been revoked for more than three years for failure to renew qualifies for registration by meeting the requirements of G.S. 90-186(4) and the applicable Board rules, i.e. this initial registration route (G.S. 90-187.9(c)).
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age and information from which the Board can determine honesty and integrity (21 NCAC 66 .0303(a)).
No Reciprocity
North Carolina does not accept reciprocity; applicants registered in other states follow this route and must pass the NC State Exam (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page; FAQ Professionals item 4).
State Exam Timing
Not eligible to take the NC State Exam until the application, including all required documents, is complete; the exam must be completed within six months of submitting the application (NCVMB NC Veterinary Technician State Exam page).

North Carolina Veterinary Technician Examination

Provider
Administered on-line through AAVSB / CMS (TESTWise) for the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board
Format
Online, open book; 30 true/false and 20 multiple-choice questions
Exam questions
50
Time limit
30 minutes, no option to pause
Passing score
75
Exam fee
NCVMB $50 application fee plus $50 paid to AAVSB/CMS (TESTWise)
Examination outline
  • North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act, G.S. Chapter 90, Article 11
  • 21 NCAC 66, North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board rules
  • NCVMB FAQ Professionals page
Examination sources

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