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Wisconsin Veterinary Technician — Requirements & Free Practice

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Veterinary Technician Certification (Certified Veterinary Technician, CVT)

Wisconsin certification under Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3) and Wis. Admin. Code ch. VE 2 for a person certified by the Veterinary Examining Board to work under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Licensing authority: Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) · Application information

Certification by education (DATCP Category 1)
Age
At least 18 years of age (Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3)).
Application
Board application form with the applicant's notarized signature, the nonrefundable fee ($115 if never credentialed in any jurisdiction, $185 if previously credentialed), and all supporting documents in English (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (a), (c), (g)).
Board Reexamination Discretion
The Board inquires into competence and may impose reasonable conditions, including reexamination, if the applicant was never certified and passed the VTNE more than 5 years ago, has not been certified anywhere for more than 5 years, or has prior or pending related discipline or litigation (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (3)).
Criminal Record
No conviction record or pending criminal charge substantially related to the practice of veterinary technology; an applicant with such a record must have the authorities report it directly to the Board (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (f)).
Education
Completion of a 4-semester course of study in animal technology or its equivalent at a technical school or college approved by the Board (Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3) (a)); DATCP describes this as graduation from an AVMA/CVMA-accredited program, or education the Board has reviewed and approved as equivalent, with transcripts submitted for Board review before applying to take the VTNE.
School Certificate
Certificate of Technical School or College (VEB 9) and Certificate of Legal Status (VEB 35) (DATCP Category 1 instructions).
Certification by on the job training (DATCP Category 2)
Affidavit
Affidavit of a Licensed Veterinarian (VEB 10) from each supervising veterinarian, also included with the VTNE application, and Certificate of Legal Status (VEB 35) (DATCP Category 2 instructions).
Age
At least 18 years of age (Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3)).
Application
Board application form with the applicant's notarized signature, the nonrefundable fee ($115 if never credentialed in any jurisdiction, $185 if previously credentialed), and all supporting documents in English (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (a), (c), (g)).
Board Reexamination Discretion
The Board inquires into competence and may impose reasonable conditions, including reexamination, if the applicant was never certified and passed the VTNE more than 5 years ago, has not been certified anywhere for more than 5 years, or has prior or pending related discipline or litigation (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (3)).
Criminal Record
No conviction record or pending criminal charge substantially related to the practice of veterinary technology; an applicant with such a record must have the authorities report it directly to the Board (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (f)).
Endorsement Notice
DATCP notes that some other jurisdictions, e.g. Illinois, do not accept by endorsement a Wisconsin CVT obtained through on-the-job training.
Experience
Employment by a veterinarian for a total of 2 years, at least 50 percent in practical field experience and the remainder in laboratory work, office procedure and technical veterinary training with a veterinarian (Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3) (b)).
Certified through another jurisdiction (DATCP Category 3)
Age
At least 18 years of age (Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3)).
Application
Board application form with the applicant's notarized signature, the nonrefundable fee ($115 if never credentialed in any jurisdiction, $185 if previously credentialed), and all supporting documents in English (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (a), (c), (g)).
Board Reexamination Discretion
The Board inquires into competence and may impose reasonable conditions, including reexamination, if the applicant was never certified and passed the VTNE more than 5 years ago, has not been certified anywhere for more than 5 years, or has prior or pending related discipline or litigation (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (3)).
Criminal Record
No conviction record or pending criminal charge substantially related to the practice of veterinary technology; an applicant with such a record must have the authorities report it directly to the Board (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (f)).
Education Or Experience
Certificate of Technical School or College (VEB 9) or Affidavit of a Licensed Veterinarian (VEB 10), showing the education or 2-year employment of Wis. Stat. s. 89.06 (3) (a) or (b).
Prior Credential
Holds or has held a veterinary technician (or veterinary nurse) credential in another jurisdiction; verification of licensure from every jurisdiction in which the applicant has ever held a credential, sent directly by that jurisdiction or the AAVSB (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.04 (1) (e); DATCP Category 3 instructions).
Vtne Score Transfer
VTNE results sent directly to the Board by the AAVSB (DATCP Category 3 instructions).
Renewal (on time, or less than 5 years after expiration)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
15 hours of continuing education in the preceding 2-year certification period, at least 10 on scientific topics and at least 12 documented by an approved provider; not required at the first renewal after initial issuance; the Board may waive for exceptional circumstances (Wis. Stat. s. 89.062 (2) (b), (3); Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.14).
Expired
A certificate expires if not renewed by January 1 of even-numbered years; renewal less than 5 years after expiration requires the renewal fee, the late fee and 15 hours of continuing education (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.12 (intro.), (1)).
Fee
Nonrefundable renewal fee of $160; a late fee of $25 if renewed after January 1 of the even-numbered year (Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.12 (3), (4)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2022-08-01.

Reciprocal credential service member or spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Board form and fee: $40 for a service member or former service member, $141 for a spouse (Wis. Stat. s. 89.073 (2) (a), (d); Wis. Admin. Code s. VE 2.06 (2)).
Credential Elsewhere
Holds a credential granted by a governmental authority outside Wisconsin that qualifies the individual to perform the acts of a Wisconsin veterinary technician, and is in good standing in every such jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. s. 89.073 (2) (c), (f)).
Eligibility
Service member, former service member (discharged other than dishonorably within 4 years) or spouse, residing in Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. s. 89.073 (1), (2) (b)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2022-08-01.

Examination on State Laws and Rules Related to the Practice of Veterinary Technology

Provider
American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), for the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board
Format
Online, open book, multiple choice
Passing score
88% or higher
Examination outline
  • Wis. Stat. ch. 89, Veterinary Examining Board
  • Wis. Stat. s. 95.21, Rabies control program
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. VE 1, Veterinarians
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. VE 2, Veterinary Technicians
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. VE 3, Complaint Procedures
  • Wis. Admin. Code ch. VE 4, Veterinary Professional Assistance Program
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-009, Anesthesia Monitoring
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-010, Animal Massage
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-001, Bull Semen Collection (Electro-Ejaculation)
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-002, Cannabis
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-005, Interactive Continuing Education
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-004, Mental Health Continuing Education
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-011, Referrals to Radiological Technicians and Sonographers
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-008, Regional Anesthesia
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-006, Renewal After 5 Years
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-012, Training CVTs
  • VEB Guidance Document VEB-GD-013, Vaccination by Animal Shelters
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