OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Washington Veterinary Technician — Requirements & Free Practice

US-WA · 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.

Veterinary Technician License

Washington licence to practise as a licensed veterinary technician under chapter 18.92 RCW and chapter 246-935 WAC, issued by the Department of Health on the Veterinary Board of Governors' standards.

Licensing authority: Washington State Department of Health, Veterinary Board of Governors · Application information

Licensure by endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply on the Department's endorsement application, with out-of-state credential verifications sent directly by each licensing jurisdiction (Substantially Equivalent States page; Licensing Requirements page).
Disciplinary Standing
Not be subject to denial of a licence or issuance of a conditional licence under chapter 18.130 RCW, have no disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment in any jurisdiction in the two years preceding or during the application, and not be under investigation or charges during the application (RCW 18.130.077(3)).
Lower Ranked Source VTNE
The Department's Licensing Requirements page states, without distinguishing this route, "Applicants must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)." RCW 18.130.077(1) requires the Board to waive exam requirements for applicants who meet this route's conditions.
Out Of State Credential
Be credentialed as a veterinary technician in another state or states with substantially equivalent standards for at least two years immediately preceding the application, with no interruption in licensure longer than 90 days; the Board then waives education, training, experience and exam requirements (RCW 18.130.077(1)).
Post Licensure Jurisprudence Training
After initial licensure and before the first licence renewal, complete a board-approved one-time training in Washington state jurisprudence that includes Washington veterinary technician law and counts as one continuing education hour; only courses listed on the Board's website are accepted (WAC 246-935-308). This is continuing education, not a licensing examination.
Substantially Equivalent State
The other state must be one the Board has deemed substantially equivalent on its published list (reviews dated December 9, 2024); applicants from states marked with an asterisk are reviewed case by case (Substantially Equivalent States page).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-07-23.

Licensure by examination
Application Documents
Submit the application and non-refundable fees, official transcripts sent directly from the school, the employment reference form when relying on supervised experience, out-of-state credential verifications for every jurisdiction where a credential is or was held, foreign credential evaluation when foreign trained, and answers to the personal data questions; a fingerprint-based background check may be required (DOH 672-051, 672-078; Licensing Information page).
Examination Eligibility
Meet one of the WAC 246-935-060 criteria: (1) completion of a veterinary technology program accredited by the AVMA CVTEA or the CVMA AHT/VTPAC, or of a Washington state apprenticeship program registered under chapters 296-05 WAC and 49.04 RCW; (2) graduation from a non-accredited two-year curriculum in animal health or veterinary technology plus at least 36 months of full-time experience under licensed veterinarian supervision, attested by the supervisor(s); (3) a DVM or VMD degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited or listed college of veterinary medicine; (4) registration, certification or licensure as an animal health or veterinary technician in one or more states plus 36 months of full-time supervised experience; or (5) completion of a U.S. military veterinary technician course and a tour of active duty as a veterinary technician or specialist.
Examination Timing
The VTNE may be taken no sooner than six months before graduation from the approved course of instruction (WAC 246-935-060(1)(e)); apprenticeship candidates within six months of completion may test on a program letter, but the licence is issued only after completion is verified (DOH 672-051).
Lower Ranked Source State Examination
The Department's application packet (DOH 672-051, July 2025) still lists "State Examination: The State Examination is a state law and rule, mail-home/open book exam. ... You must obtain a 90 percent score on the state exam," and the Licensing Requirements page still lists "Successful completion of the Washington State Jurisprudence Examination." WAC 246-935-070 as amended by WSR 25-14-065 (effective July 28, 2025) requires only the VTNE, WSR 25-14-065 removed the jurisprudence exam from initial licensure, and the Department's Licensing Information page states that "The state jurisprudence examination has been removed from initial licensing requirements." The Board may still ask for this item under the older materials; the rule does not require it.
Passing Score And Reporting
Pass the VTNE at its criterion-referenced passing score (WAC 246-935-070(2)); scores must be sent to the Department directly from AAVSB (DOH 672-051).
Post Licensure Jurisprudence Training
After initial licensure and before the first licence renewal, complete a board-approved one-time training in Washington state jurisprudence that includes Washington veterinary technician law and counts as one continuing education hour; only courses listed on the Board's website are accepted (WAC 246-935-308). This is continuing education, not a licensing examination.
Statutory Education
Successfully complete a post-high-school course approved by the Board in the care and treatment of animals (RCW 18.92.128(2)).
Expired license reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Use the Veterinary Technician Expired License Activation Packet (DOH 672-096), listing all credentials held and professional experience since expiration.
Expired One Cycle Or Less
Pay the late renewal penalty fee and current renewal fee, provide required declarations, and comply with current continuing education requirements (WAC 246-12-040(3)(a)).
Expired Three Years Or More
Meet the WAC 246-12-040(3)(c) requirements, including any other competency requirements of the regulatory entity; chapter 246-935 WAC sets no additional reactivation competency requirement for veterinary technicians.
Expired Under Three Years
Complete an abbreviated application, pay the late renewal penalty, current renewal and expired credential reissuance fees, and declare no disciplinary action, no surrender of a credential in lieu of action, and completion of continuing education for the two most recent years (WAC 246-12-040(3)(b)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-06-14.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years and comply with chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7 (WAC 246-935-280), including the veterinary technician suicide prevention and health equity training required by WAC 246-935-305 and 246-935-307.
Jurisprudence Training
After initial licensure and before the first licence renewal, complete a board-approved one-time training in Washington state jurisprudence that includes Washington veterinary technician law and counts as one continuing education hour; only courses listed on the Board's website are accepted (WAC 246-935-308). This is continuing education, not a licensing examination.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every year on the licensee's birthday under chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2; renewal fees are accepted no sooner than 90 days before expiration (WAC 246-935-990(1); WAC 246-12-030).
Renewal Fees
Pay the renewal fee and the UW HEALWA online access surcharge (WAC 246-935-990(2)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-06-14.

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