The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is an exam which assesses the competency of entry-level veterinary technicians, so they can practice and be credentialed. The VTNE is administered and owned by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). This computer-based exam is offered in three testing windows a year and a very valid tool as it’s regularly reviewed, updated, and reevaluated by highly-qualified item writers. The passing score on this exam is one of the criteria for credentialing required by SAVT.
The Application Process, Requirement and Cost of VTNE
In order to take the VTNE, you are required to pay and apply for the exam, as well as, apply for eligibility to take the exam. The applications are accepted all the time, but there are deadlines for each examination window, usually one month before the exam. There are three testing windows, including
- November 15 – December 15
- March 15 – April 15
- July 15 – August 15
The VTNE costs $310.00 (paid in U.S. dollars), including the “seat fee” for the Prometric Testing Center. It can be taken at PSI testing centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The requirements you need to fulfil in order to be able to take the VTNE are to be a graduate of AVMA or CVMA accredited veterinary technology program or a program approved by the regulatory board governing your jurisdiction. So, you need to be a Pending member of the OAVT in good standing and a graduate from an OAVT accredited college.
How to Register for the VTNE
First and foremost, you need to create a login with the AAVSB, as well as, register and pay for the exam. Then, you should become a Pending Member of the OAVT, if you aren’t already. Next, you should confirm with your eligibility with your college. Finally, you will get an Authorization-to-Test (ATT) letter from the Professional Examination Service (PES) via email. This letter will contain all the instructions for the VTNE.
After the Exam
When you finish with the exam, you will get an unofficial and provisional -screen Pass/Fail score, but you won’t be able to print it. The official exam score will be sent to you electronically about 3-4 weeks after the session is completed. The results are also sent to the provincial or state association. All colleges get the results and a summary report by OAVT.
Preparing for the VTNE
In order to prepare for the VTNE, you will need to go through a number of resources. Here are some available resources you can use to prepare for passing the VTNE:
- VTNE Flashcard Study System: VTNE Test Practice Questions & Review for the Veterinary Technician National Exam
- AAVSB Resources
- Mosby’s Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians, 3e, Monica M. Tighe, Marg Brown
- VTNE Preparatory Review, an online course
- Review Questions and Answers for Veterinary Technicians, 4e (Revised Reprint), Thomas P. Colville
- Master the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), Peterson’s
- VTNE Secrets Study Guide: VTNE Test Review for the Veterinary Technician National Exam
