Do I have to be a credentialed veterinary technician / nurse in order to apply?
YES! The minimum work experience required to apply for certification as a VTS in Internal Medicine is at least three years AND 6,000 hours as a credentialed veterinary technician in the field of Internal Medicine. This experience must be completed within five years prior to application. In addition to the completion of the Professional History and Employment section of the part 1 application form, further verification of work hours may be required in the form of pay stubs or a letter from your employer(s). Of the 6,000 hours (minimum) of work as a credentialed veterinary technician in the field of veterinary internal medicine required to qualify for application, the applicant must have a minimum of 4,500 contact hours in their specific specialty area.
UNITED STATES APPLICANTS: You must hold a credential as a veterinary technician (CVT/LVT/LVMT/RVT) issued by a veterinary regulatory authority of one of the fifty US states. Currently, it is not required that applicants be credentialed by the regulatory authority of the state in which they live and/or practice.
CANADIAN APPLICANTS: You must hold a credential issued by your provincial veterinary regulatory authority. ·
BRITISH APPLICANTS: You must be enrolled in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Veterinary Nurse register.
IRISH APPLICANTS: You must be registered with the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
AUSTRALIAN APPLICANTS: While most Australian states do not require registration in order to work as a veterinary nurse or technician, AIMVT requires that all applicants be registered by an appropriate regulatory authority. In Western Australia, contact the Veterinary Surgeons' Board to complete your registration. In other Australian states, voluntary registration with the Veterinary Nurses' Council of Australia will meet this requirement. You must be a registered veterinary nurse or technician in Australia for all of the years of work you submit as part of your professional history for AIMVT (a minimum of three years and 6000 hours).
NEW ZEALAND APPLICANTS: Voluntary regulation and registration are in place in New Zealand for veterinary technicians and nurses working in clinical veterinary practice. You may join the register via the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand.
OTHER INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: If your country does not currently issue licenses or other registration for veterinary support team members, and you have completed a college-level course in Veterinary Technology or Veterinary Nursing, you may qualify for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is the organization that administers the VTNE and determines if graduates are qualified to take the examination via the Program for Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). PAVE for Veterinary Technicians defines an "international veterinary technician/nurse graduate" as a veterinary technician/nurse whose degree was conferred outside of the United States and Canada by a recognized post-secondary, professional school of veterinary technology/nursing or equivalent program. A "recognized" school is one that is officially approved by, and meets the educational requirements for credentialing per, the government of its country. Applicants may qualify to sit for the VTNE via the PAVE program. After successful passage of the VTNE, they may apply for their credential in one of the states or regions that accepts PAVE reciprocity. Once the credential is issued, applicants may begin accruing both work experience and continuing education credits in order to qualify for their AIMVT application.
UNITED STATES APPLICANTS: You must hold a credential as a veterinary technician (CVT/LVT/LVMT/RVT) issued by a veterinary regulatory authority of one of the fifty US states. Currently, it is not required that applicants be credentialed by the regulatory authority of the state in which they live and/or practice.
CANADIAN APPLICANTS: You must hold a credential issued by your provincial veterinary regulatory authority. ·
BRITISH APPLICANTS: You must be enrolled in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Veterinary Nurse register.
IRISH APPLICANTS: You must be registered with the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
AUSTRALIAN APPLICANTS: While most Australian states do not require registration in order to work as a veterinary nurse or technician, AIMVT requires that all applicants be registered by an appropriate regulatory authority. In Western Australia, contact the Veterinary Surgeons' Board to complete your registration. In other Australian states, voluntary registration with the Veterinary Nurses' Council of Australia will meet this requirement. You must be a registered veterinary nurse or technician in Australia for all of the years of work you submit as part of your professional history for AIMVT (a minimum of three years and 6000 hours).
NEW ZEALAND APPLICANTS: Voluntary regulation and registration are in place in New Zealand for veterinary technicians and nurses working in clinical veterinary practice. You may join the register via the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand.
OTHER INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: If your country does not currently issue licenses or other registration for veterinary support team members, and you have completed a college-level course in Veterinary Technology or Veterinary Nursing, you may qualify for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is the organization that administers the VTNE and determines if graduates are qualified to take the examination via the Program for Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). PAVE for Veterinary Technicians defines an "international veterinary technician/nurse graduate" as a veterinary technician/nurse whose degree was conferred outside of the United States and Canada by a recognized post-secondary, professional school of veterinary technology/nursing or equivalent program. A "recognized" school is one that is officially approved by, and meets the educational requirements for credentialing per, the government of its country. Applicants may qualify to sit for the VTNE via the PAVE program. After successful passage of the VTNE, they may apply for their credential in one of the states or regions that accepts PAVE reciprocity. Once the credential is issued, applicants may begin accruing both work experience and continuing education credits in order to qualify for their AIMVT application.
What are the benefits of being a member of AIMVT?
Becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) demonstrates your commitment to providing the gold standard of care to both patients and clients in your practice. Additionally, as a VTS you will be able to share your knowledge and experience as a lecturer and/or an author for books or journals. AIMVT hosts a Speakers’ and Writers’ Bureau to facilitate these opportunities for our members.
Can you explain the timing of the application year and when I can begin collecting cases for my Logs and Reports?
The application year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year. You can begin collecting your cases on October 1 and continue until you submit your application on or before September 30.
What are the due dates for each part of the application?
Part 1 of the application - including proof of credentialing, professional history, continuing education (CE/CPD), and the AIMVT universal advanced skills list - are due no later than March 15 of your application year.
If your credentials, CE, and experience meet our requirements, you will be passed to part 2 which includes a review of mastery of the fundamental and essential advanced skills in your specialty, your Case Log, and your Case Reports. Your Logs and Reports must cover patients under your care from October 1 of the previous year through September 30 of your application year.
If you pass Part 2 of your application, you will be approved to sit for the certifying examination in your specialty, either virtually or in-person at the ACVIM Forum.
If your credentials, CE, and experience meet our requirements, you will be passed to part 2 which includes a review of mastery of the fundamental and essential advanced skills in your specialty, your Case Log, and your Case Reports. Your Logs and Reports must cover patients under your care from October 1 of the previous year through September 30 of your application year.
If you pass Part 2 of your application, you will be approved to sit for the certifying examination in your specialty, either virtually or in-person at the ACVIM Forum.
Can I finish my work experience while working on my application?
While you may complete your required work experience during the year you are working on your application, the requirement must be fulfilled by March 15th of your application year.
Additionally, statistical analysis performed by the Academy has shown that applicants who wait to start their application until they have worked the required number of hours/years are more successful in both the application and examination phases of the VTS process.
Additionally, statistical analysis performed by the Academy has shown that applicants who wait to start their application until they have worked the required number of hours/years are more successful in both the application and examination phases of the VTS process.
Can I use in-house continuing education (CE/CPD) to complete the CE requirement? What about on-line CE (i.e., webinars)? Is there a limit to the amount of on-line CE I can submit?
If the in-house CE is RACE approved or equivalent, it is acceptable for your CE requirement. “RACE equivalent” is defined as CE that is accepted by your state's or country’s credentialing authority for maintenance of your credential.
On-line CE is accepted only if it is RACE approved or equivalent AND taught by a Diplomate or VTS. There is no limit to the amount of on-line CE that can be used to meet the requirement.
Remember: the CE must be focused on internal medicine and specific to your specialty.
On-line CE is accepted only if it is RACE approved or equivalent AND taught by a Diplomate or VTS. There is no limit to the amount of on-line CE that can be used to meet the requirement.
Remember: the CE must be focused on internal medicine and specific to your specialty.
How much does the VTS application process cost?
There are many different costs associated with obtaining certification as a Veterinary Technician Specialist. In terms of the application itself, each part has an associated application fee: $25USD for part 1 and $50USD for part 2.
Applicants should also factor in the cost of required continuing education hours, textbooks, equipment, and other associated investments. We encourage applicants to enlist the help of their practices to support them financially on their VTS journey.
If your application is accepted, you will be required to pay an examination fee ($200USD for the in-person exam option; $250USD for the remote exam option).
When you pass the examination and become a member of our Academy, you will be required to pay annual dues. In 2024, Academy dues are $50USD per year.
Applicants should also factor in the cost of required continuing education hours, textbooks, equipment, and other associated investments. We encourage applicants to enlist the help of their practices to support them financially on their VTS journey.
If your application is accepted, you will be required to pay an examination fee ($200USD for the in-person exam option; $250USD for the remote exam option).
When you pass the examination and become a member of our Academy, you will be required to pay annual dues. In 2024, Academy dues are $50USD per year.
How does AIMVT define "mastery"?
"Mastery" is defined as the ability to perform the skill with a high degree of success in different species and patients, with different disease conditions, and with minimal to no coaching or supervision.
Mastery of the advanced skills is a lifelong process - these are NOT checklists!
AIMVT believes that applicants working at a high level within their specialty in a moderately busy practice will have ample opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the skills in the course of the application year. However, performing an advanced skill solely for the purpose of your application is NOT mastery.
Mastery of the advanced skills is a lifelong process - these are NOT checklists!
AIMVT believes that applicants working at a high level within their specialty in a moderately busy practice will have ample opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the skills in the course of the application year. However, performing an advanced skill solely for the purpose of your application is NOT mastery.
Who can sign off that I have mastered an advanced skill?
Per the Academy’s By-Laws, if you spend a minimum of 75% of your working hours working in your area of specialization, any VTS, DVM, or Diplomate may sign that you have mastered a skill.
If you spend 55-74% of your work hours working in your area of specialization, only a VTS or Diplomate in that specialty may sign that you have mastered a skill.
In the UK, mastery of your skills may be signed by a Diplomate of the ECVIM, a VTS in any of the IM specialties, or a European equivalent of a DVM/VMD, in that order of preference. Certificate holders (e.g., DVC) will NOT be accepted.
The Executive Board has determined that ANCZVS membership is not equivalent to certification by either ACVIM or ECVIM.
If you spend 55-74% of your work hours working in your area of specialization, only a VTS or Diplomate in that specialty may sign that you have mastered a skill.
In the UK, mastery of your skills may be signed by a Diplomate of the ECVIM, a VTS in any of the IM specialties, or a European equivalent of a DVM/VMD, in that order of preference. Certificate holders (e.g., DVC) will NOT be accepted.
The Executive Board has determined that ANCZVS membership is not equivalent to certification by either ACVIM or ECVIM.
If I am from the UK, will I be penalized for using British spelling and grammar?
We recognize that there are differences between spelling and grammar between the UK, Australia, and New Zealand and US spelling and grammar. No deductions will be taken for British English spellings such as “haematology” or “oesophagus”. Consistency is key – don’t switch between different spelling styles.
I would like an AIMVT mentor - how can I get one?
Large Animal, Neurology, Oncology, and Small Animal IM applicants: please contact the Mentorship Committee at [email protected] to be paired with an AIMVT mentor.
Cardiology applicants: please contact the Cardiology Directors at Large at [email protected] to be paired with an AIMVT Cardiology VTS mentor.
Due to a limit to the number of mentors available, we can only assign a mentor to an applicant in the year they are actively working on their application and mentor availability is not guaranteed.
Cardiology applicants: please contact the Cardiology Directors at Large at [email protected] to be paired with an AIMVT Cardiology VTS mentor.
Due to a limit to the number of mentors available, we can only assign a mentor to an applicant in the year they are actively working on their application and mentor availability is not guaranteed.