HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ORIGINAL VETERINARY TECHNICIAN LICENSE

These instructions apply to applicants filing for an original veterinary technician license either because the applicant

• Has never held a license in another state or
• Has held a license in another state(s) but none is current

If the applicant already holds a current license in another state, see the instructions for applying by reciprocity.

Instructions for All Applicants by Examination

Submit the following to the Board office:

• Completed, signed and notarized Application for Licensure/Examination for Veterinary Technicians
• Non-refundable pro-rated fee by check or money order made payable to the “State of Delaware”

In addition, submit one of the following:

• Official transcript from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program sent directly from the school to the Board office

Note: If you are a final year veterinary technician student enrolled in an AVMA-accredited program, you may apply to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) before graduation by submitting proof of the probability of graduation. However, you will not be considered for licensure until you submit proof of graduation to the Board office.

• Official transcript from a foreign veterinary program approved by the AVMA
• Proof of completing an acceptable alternative to a degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program. The acceptable educational/experience alternatives are listed below. These alternatives expire November, 2013. Proof of the degrees listed below is an official transcript sent directly from the school to the Board office. Proof of the hours of experience listed below is a notarized Affidavit of Experience signed by the supervising veterinarian. You must submit proof of one of the following alternatives:

• Baccalaureate degree in animal science-related field as approved by the Board and 2625 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s),
• Degree from a veterinary technician program that is not accredited by the AVMA, as approved by the Board, and 2625 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian,
• Baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, or similar scientific field of study as approved by the Board and 3500 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s),
• 60 credit hours of coursework at the postsecondary educational level, as approved by the Board, and 5250 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s),
• 7000 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s).

Applicants Who Have Taken the VTNE

If you have already taken and passed the VTNE, arrange for the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) to transfer the scores to the Board office. To request a score transfer, see www.aavsb.org.

Applicants Who Need to Take the VTNE

The VTNE will be given twice a year on the third (3rd) Friday of January and June. To register for the exam, you must contact the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). You may contact them through their website www.aavsb.org or call toll free 877-698-8482.

Registering for the exam does not guarantee eligibility. Prior to the examination date, AAVSB will contact the Board office to verify the eligibility of registered candidates. The Board office will inform AAVSB as to which candidates are eligible to take the exam. AAVSB will then provide each eligible candidate with further exam information.

Direct all questions about registering for the VTNE to the AAVSB.

Temporary Licenses

Applicants for a temporary license must meet all of the above requirements. In addition, submit a letter from a Delaware-licensed veterinarian verifying that the applicant will remain in his or her continuous employment and supervision and that he or she will monitor the applicant's professional activities and be fully responsible for the applicant.

When approved for temporary licensure, the Board office will notify the applicant to submit the temporary license fee by check or money order made payable to "State of Delaware." Please do not submit this fee until notified. See Fee Schedule for amount.

When the applicant has submitted the required fee, the Board office will issue a certificate of the temporary license. Under no circumstances should an applicant begin practicing in Delaware before the temporary license is issued.