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West Virginia Veterinary Technician — Requirements & Free Practice

US-WV · License preparation

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Registered Veterinary Technician

Registration issued by the West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine to practice veterinary technology and use the title Registered Veterinary Technician (R.V.T.) under W. Va. Code §30-10-10 and 26CSR3.

Licensing authority: West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine · Application information

Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
At least 8 (50 minute) units of approved continuing education each calendar year, at least 4 hours related to veterinary technology practice and no more than 4 hours of practice management (26CSR3 §26-3-7.5).
Fee
Pay the annual renewal fee in the Schedule of Fees (26CSR3 §26-3-7.2; 26CSR6 §26-6-3.7).
Timing
Renew from October 1 through December 31 each year (26CSR3 §26-3-7.2).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-07-01.

Registration by examination
Age
Be at least eighteen years of age (W. Va. Code §30-10-10(a)(4)).
Application
Submit the Board application with the non-refundable fees, or qualify for a fee waiver, before taking the jurisprudence examination (26CSR3 §26-3-4.1); the checklist lists an application fee of $10 and a Practice Act fee of $35.
Citizenship Or Work Eligibility
Be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States (W. Va. Code §30-10-10(a)(5); 26CSR3 §26-3-4.1.2).
Criminal History
Not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, of an unreversed felony within five years preceding the application, or at any time of a misdemeanor or felony related to veterinary technology or animal abuse or neglect (W. Va. Code §30-10-10(a)(6)-(8)); submit to a state and national criminal history record check (26CSR3 §26-3-10).
Education
Degree in veterinary technology from an accredited school approved by the Board (W. Va. Code §30-10-10(a)(2); 26CSR3 §26-3-3.1); the Board checklist asks for AVMA-accredited education transcripts.
Fee Waiver
Low-income individuals and military families may apply for a waiver of the initial registration fee (W. Va. Code §30-1-23; 26CSR6 §26-6-4).
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character (W. Va. Code §30-10-10(a)(1)).
Jurisprudence Timing
The applicant becomes eligible for the jurisprudence examination once all documents, including a passing national score, and fees are received, and must complete it within 30 days of the Board's notice; a failed examination may be retaken once within 30 days and no sooner than 7 days (26CSR3 §§26-3-4.3, 4.5, 5.4; Board checklist).
Vtne Score Reporting
The passing VTNE score must be sent to the Board directly by the AAVSB score reporting service at the applicant's expense (26CSR3 §26-3-4.7); scores are already on file for candidates approved for the VTNE through West Virginia (Board checklist).
Reactivation of inactive registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Page Availability
The Board's Registration Information page lists the Inactive registration type as "Not available at this time".
Requirements
Complete the renewal form, pay the renewal fee and certify continuing education for each year the registration was not active, for a maximum of 16 hours (26CSR3 §26-3-7.4.1).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-07-01.

Late renewal within one year of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expired Status
Registration expired not more than one year (26CSR3 §26-3-7.3.1).
Requirements
Complete the renewal form, pay the late renewal fee and submit evidence of continuing education; the Board page states that an applicant who has not met the continuing education requirement must apply for a new registration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-07-01.

Reactivation of registration expired more than one year
Additional Competency Documentation
The Board may require additional documentation of clinical competency and professional activities (26CSR3 §26-3-7.3.2).
Conflicting Board Page
The Board's Registration Information page states: "An expired registration may be reinstated within 5 years of the date of its expiration by completing and providing the following" renewal forms, continuing education documentation and fees, and that "If a registration has been expired more than 5 years, an application for registration must be submitted and the applicant must be scheduled to take the WV State Jurisprudence Exam at next test date". 26CSR3 §26-3-7.3.2 and the Board's Reinstatement of Expired Registration page apply the examination route after one year of expiration; an applicant expired between one and five years may be told otherwise by the Board.
Expired Status
The registration has been expired for more than one year (26CSR3 §26-3-7.3.2).
Fees And Continuing Education
Pay the late renewal fee and submit evidence of the required continuing education hours, for a maximum of 16 hours (26CSR3 §26-3-7.3.2); the Board page asks for proof of continuing education for at most the 2 most recent years.
Vtne As Prior Pass
The VTNE leaf is satisfied by the passing national score the applicant already holds; the Board page makes the applicant eligible for the jurisprudence examination once required documents "including a passing national score" are received.
Temporary emergency registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Out Of State Credential
Hold a valid veterinary technician registration in another jurisdiction with no disciplinary actions; issued for 30 days with extensions on request; no fee (Board Emergency Responder application).
State Of Emergency
Available only when the Governor has declared a State of Emergency (Board Emergency Responder application).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Universal recognition w va code 30 1 27
West Virginia Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence Examination
Board Demand For Vtne Scores
The Board's Application Checklist lists "Passing Exam Scores – must be submitted to the Board directly from AAVSB/VIVA." with the item "Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)", and 26CSR3 §26-3-4.6 states "An applicant must have a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examinations (VTNE)." W. Va. Code §30-1-27(a) directs issuance "without examination" notwithstanding any other provision, allowing only a state-law examination under §30-1-27(d), so the VTNE is not a requirement leaf of this route; applicants should expect the Board to ask for VTNE scores.
Current Out Of State Credential
Currently licensed, registered or certified in at least one other state in the same discipline and at the same practice level, in good standing in every state where held (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(1)-(3)).
Discipline
No revoked or surrendered-under-investigation credential in any state or country, and no other unresolved discipline (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(6)-(7)).
Fees And Criminal History
Pay all applicable fees and have no disqualifying criminal history as determined by the Board; the state and national criminal history record check still applies (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(8)-(9), (f)(3)).
Prior Requirements
The other state had minimum education (and any experience or supervision) requirements that it verifies the applicant met, and the applicant previously passed any examinations required by the other state (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(b)(4)-(5)).
Residence Or Military Spouse
Establish residence in West Virginia (proof of WV residence per the Board checklist), or be married to an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces who has an official permanent change of station to a military installation in West Virginia (W. Va. Code §30-1-27(a)).

West Virginia Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence Examination

Provider
West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine
Format
Online examination (26CSR3 §26-3-5.1); may be taken at the Board office or a Board-approved location if the applicant cannot test on a computer
Examination outline
  • W. Va. Code Chapter 30, Article 1 - General provisions applicable to all state boards of examination or registration
  • W. Va. Code Chapter 30, Article 10 - Veterinary Medicine Practice Act
  • 26CSR2 - Disciplinary and Complaint Procedures of the West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine
  • 26CSR2A - Contested Case Hearing Procedure
  • 26CSR3 - Registration of Veterinary Technicians
  • 26CSR4 - Standards of Practice
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