• Veterinary Technician
• Veterinarian

How do I become a veterinary technician?

Veterinary Technology Programs:

For those interested in pursing a career as a veterinary technician, there are two programs offered in NJ.

Camden Community college offers a 70-credit program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. Further information can be obtained by calling 856-227-7200 or visiting www.camdencc.edu.

The Northern New Jersey Consortium for Veterinary Technician Education is a regional academic program sponsored jointly by County College of Morris (CCM), Bergen Community College (BCC), and Sussex County Community College (SCCC). Successful students are granted an Associate in Applied Science degree. Please contact one of the individual colleges for more information:

Important Notice Regarding Registration of Veterinary Technicians (July 2008)

Background:

The NJVMA established its voluntary registration program for veterinary technicians and assistants in the early 1980's. The program was developed to help NJVMA members acknowledge the education and work experience of technicians, and to provide recognition to them. The original program provided for grandfathering of individuals who had at least three years work experience and a letter of recommendation from a veterinarian employer. It is important to note that the State of NJ does not license, certify, register or otherwise regulate veterinary technicians. As technicians must be under the responsible supervision of a veterinarian, the veterinarian assumes responsibility for their actions.

Registration is not, and has never been, a requirement to work as a veterinary technician in New Jersey.

In 1986, the grandfather clause was eliminated. In 1988, it was agreed to sponsor the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), beginning in 1989 and to create three categories of registration (below). The VTNE was open to any applicant.

Graduate Veterinary Technician Graduate of an accredited two, three or four year program in Veterinary technology approved by the AVMA and who has passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam or an equivalent examination approved by the NJVMA
Veterinary Technician: Person who has passed the Veterinary Technicians National Exam or an equivalent examination approved by the NJVMA, and who has three years clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
Veterinary Assistant: Person whose training, knowledge and skills are less than that required of a veterinary technician and who provides support to veterinarians.

In 1999, an additional requirement to add two years of college level bio-sciences courses was added to register as a veterinary technician.

Recent Changes to the Program:

In 2005, the VTNE was purchased by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Shortly thereafter, AAVSB announced its intention to restrict the VTNE to graduates of AVMA accredited veterinary technology programs, effective in 2006.

In March, 2006. The NJVTAA recommended, and the NJVMA Executive Board endorsed, the following recommendations:

1. That the NJVMA continue to offer the VTNE in 2006, with the AAVSB restriction that only graduates of accredited programs may sit for the exam.
   
   
2. That beginning in 2007, the registration categories be changed to:
   
   Credentialed Veterinary Technician Graduate of an accredited two, three or four year program in Veterinary technology approved by the AVMA and who has passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam or an equivalent examination approved by the NJVMA
   Veterinary Assistant: Person whose training, knowledge and skills are less than that required of a veterinary technician and who provides support to veterinarians, and who has at least one year's work experience under the supervision of a graduate veterinarian.
   
   This change eliminated the veterinary technician category. The NJVTAA proposed this change, which reflects the North American Veterinary Technician Association's position and nomenclature on technician categories.
   
   
3. That individuals will be grandfathered who:
   
   1) previously passed the VTNE and who are currently registered with the NJVMA; and 2) were registered with the NJVMA as technicians prior to 1989, and who are currently registered with the NJVMA.

The Current Situation:

Unfortunately, many applicants for registration since 2005 have consistently used old forms to register as veterinary technicians. This is because many technicians who lack the educational requirement don't wish to have their status downgraded to a veterinary assistant, and also because many technicians believe they won't be able to work as a technician if they are not registered as same. (Many technicians believe that registration with the NJVMA and/or passage of the VTNE is necessary to work as a technician in NJ which is not true).

The NJVMA believes that due to the confusion over the program, that the NJVMA should terminate its technician registration program. Confusion about registration in the technician community is rampant, and "registration" is perceived as conferring a legal status by many technicians.

The NJVMA Executive Board voted to end its technician registration program at the end of 2008. I cannot emphasize enough that this action will have no impact on any technician or assistant's ability to work in NJ, or on their status as a veterinary technician or assistant. The NJVMA registration program was completely voluntary and conferred no legal status.

We thank you for understanding and wish you continued success in your career.

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How do I become a veterinarian?

Application to veterinary school involves undergraduate college course work usually requiring 3-4 years to complete. The application process also involves the applicant showing an interest in veterinary medicine through gaining experience with a veterinarian or work in similar fields. Once the applicant is accepted to veterinary school, he or she must complete 4 years of course work. The course work includes classroom and clinical study in large and small animals. After the course work is completed, a national test must be passed and then the student becomes a doctor of Veterinary Medicine and can practice veterinary medicine. A veterinarian can be identified by the letters "DVM" or "VMD" after their name. Some veterinarians may pursue further education, such as an internship and residency, which may lead them to becoming a veterinary board certified specialist.

Veterinary Colleges:

Several colleges in NJ offer programs to meet the prerequisites for veterinary programs. Upon completion of prerequisites, an individual will have to travel out of state to pursue the doctor of veterinary medicine degree. However, the state of NJ does contract a limited number of seats at certain veterinary colleges such as University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, and Ohio State. Interested applicants are advised to contact the individual colleges for information on NJ contract programs and admissions procedures including out-of-state admissions policies. Contact information for colleges with veterinary programs can be found at http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/aboutvets/education.asp

Veterinarian Application for Licensure by Practical Examination

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Requests for an application for licensure are accepted by phone (973) 504-6500,
fax (973) 648-3355 and letter by writing to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 45020, Newark, New Jersey 07101. Applicants must:

1. Request an application for a review of credentials from the Board office;

2. Complete the application for a review of credentials and have it notarized;

3. Submit the following:

A) A completed application for a review of credentials;
B) The filing fee for a review of credentials (a certified check or money order for $75 made payable to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners);
C) Two passport-size photographs (head and shoulder shot) taken within the last six months;
D) A passing grade (with a minimum score of 70) on the National Board Examination (NBE) within 10 years preceding an application being sent through the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA);
E) A passing grade (with a minimum score of 70) on the Clinical Competency Test (CCT) within 10 years preceding an application being sent through the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA); and
F) An official transcript of veterinary school credits forwarded, directly to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners by the college/university, containing:

1. The signatures of college officials on the transcript;
2. The official stamp of the college/university; and
3. A verified English translation if the transcript is in a language other than English.

Make sure the school is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). If the school is not accredited, the applicant must complete Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) training before being eligible to sit for the practical examination. The applicant also must submit:

G) Proof of a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine from a college/university accredited by the AVMA, or

If all but the last portion of the last semester of a veterinary college or university accredited by the AVMA is completed, the applicant must submit directly to the Board notification that he/she is to be awarded a degree in veterinary medicine at the next graduation, or

If the applicant is a graduate of an ECFVG program, he /she must submit notification that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the program, and this notification should be forwarded directly to the Board by the ECFVG office.

H) Verification from every state in which an applicant is or has been licensed, verifying that the applicant holds or held a valid, unsuspended and unrevoked license to practice which verification must be received directly from each state board.

4. When the file is complete, the applicant will receive an application to sit for the next scheduled examination. The application must be completed and a $125 exam fee (certified check or money order - made payable to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners) must be received at least 60 days prior to the exam.

5. When the applicant passes the practical exam he/she will receive an application for initial licensure. This application must be completed and returned to the Board with the appropriate fee for initial licensure.

A candidate who has failed the practical exam must wait five years from the date of the failed exam before applying for a license by waiver of examination (jurisprudence exam).

Credentials records with no activity for a period of two years from the last date that the applicant participated in an exam will not be accepted for filing. Applicants are required to submit new records and to pay the required filing fee.

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact the Board at 973-504-6500.

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Veterinarian Application for Licensure by Waiver of Examination
(Jurisprudence Application)

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The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners ("Board") will waive the practical examination if the applicant:

A) has possessed, for a minimum of five years immediately preceding the submission of an application, a valid, unsuspended and unrevoked license to practice veterinary medicine after examination by another state (or the District of Columbia) which has education and examination requirements equivalent to those required for licensure in New Jersey;
B) has had active clinical experience of a type acceptable to the Board for three of the five years immediately preceding application;
C) has passed the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT) with a grade of 70 or better; and
D) presents no basis for concern as to competency or fitness for licensure and otherwise qualifies for licensure pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:16-6.

Anyone qualifying under this provision for licensure by waiver of the practical examination is required to successfully complete the jurisprudence examination with a grade of 70 or better.

Applicants must:

1. Request an application for a review of credentials from the Board office. Requests for applications for licensure are accepted by phone (973) 504-6500, 
    fax (973) 648-3355 and by letter sent to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, PO Box 45020, Newark, N.J. 07101;

2. Complete the application for a review of credentials and have it notarized;

3. Submit or have submitted to the Board, the following:

A) a completed application for a review of credentials;
B) a filing fee for a review of credentials - a certified check or money order for $75 made payable to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners;
C) two passport-size photographs (head and shoulders shot) taken within the last six months;
D) proof of a passing grade (70) on the NBE within 10 years preceding application being sent through the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA);
E) proof of a passing grade (70) on the CCT within 10 years preceding application being sent through VIVA; and
F) an official transcript of veterinary school credits, forwarded directly to the Board by the college/university, containing:

a) the signatures of college officials;
b) the college/university stamp; and
c) if the transcript is in a language other than English, a verified English translation;

4. Make sure the school is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). If the school is not accredited, the applicant must complete the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) training before being eligible to sit for the practical exam.

(If the applicant is a graduate of an ECFVG program, notification that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the program should be forwarded directly to the Board by the ECFVG office.)

5. Submit verification from every state in which the applicant is or has been licensed, verifying that he/she holds or held a valid, unsuspended and unrevoked license to practice from the state board(s).

6. Submit a statement of good standing from any other entity that authorizes the applicant's practice of veterinary medicine, e.g., the Racing Commission. The applicant shall notify the Board in the event that his/her privilege to practice veterinary medicine was ever suspended or revoked by any authority.

7. Submit three notarized certifications of experience, submitted directly by veterinarians actively licensed and practicing in the same jurisdiction(s) for which the experience is being certified. Each certification shall:

A) be on professional letterhead;
B) state the exact dates of the period being certified;
C) indicate the type of experience acquired, i.e., bovine, exotic, equine or small animal;
D) provide certification as to the applicant's moral character;
E) provide a critical evaluation of the applicant's ability to practice with a professional recommendation for licensure;
F) indicate the applicant has held, for a minimum of five years immediately preceding the submission of an application, a valid unsuspended and unrevoked license to practice veterinary medicine issued after examination by another state or District of Columbia, which has education and examination requirements substantially equivalent to those required for licensure in New Jersey;
G) indicate that the applicant has had active clinical experience of a type acceptable to the Board for three of the five years immediately preceding application;
H) indicate the applicant has passed the NBE and the CCT with a grade of 70 or better;
I) indicate the applicant presents no basis for concern as to competency or fitness for licensure and otherwise qualifies for licensure pursuant to N.J.S.A 45:16-6; and
J) submit an examination fee of $125 (certified check or money order made payable to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners).

When the exam application is complete, the Board will vote on whether to approve the application. If the board approves the application, the applicant will be sent an application for the opportunity to sit for the jurisprudence examination and will then be notified of the place and time of the examination.

When the applicant passes the jurisprudence examination, he/she will receive an application for initial licensure. The applicant must complete and return that application with the appropriate fee for initial licensure.

Credentials records with no activity for a period of two years from the last date that the applicant participated in an examination will not be accepted for filing. The applicant shall be required to submit new records and to pay the required filing fee.

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact the Board at (973) 504-6500.

General Information on Careers in Veterinary Medicine

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