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AAVSB Exam & AAVSB Certification Info


The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is an organization that serves veterinary regulatory licensing boards. The AAVSB conducts the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), a certification exam for veterinary technicians. The steps to take their certification exams are as follows:

Step 1: Eligibility and Application

Check your eligibility for the exam. You must have graduated from an AVMA or CVMA accredited veterinary technology program. Apply for the VTNE through the AAVSB website. You will need to pay an application fee and submit any required documentation.

Step 2: Scheduling the Exam

Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. This letter will include instructions on how to schedule your exam. Exams are administered during three testing windows each year and you can choose a date and time that works best for you.

Step 3: Taking the Exam

The VTNE is administered at Prometric Testing Centers. You can find a testing center near you by visiting the Prometric website. On the day of the exam, you will need to bring your ATT letter and a valid, government-issued photo ID.

The AAVSB website is www.aavsb.org, where you can find more detailed information about the VTNE and the application process.



The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is owned and administered by AAVSB. The VTNE is used to evaluate entry-level veterinary technicians’ competency to practice and to be credentialed. The computer-based exam is given in three testing windows a year and is constantly updated, reviewed and reevaluated by highly-qualified item writers so that it remains a valid tool. Most states and provinces require a passing score on the VTNE as one criterion for credentialing. AAVSB contracts with the administering agencies to provide the exam for their use and partners with Professional Examination Service (PES) for examination development and administration services regarding the VTNE. The exam is administered at Prometric Testing Centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.


AAVSB Veterinary Technician National Examination Exams

Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is a credentialing examination for veterinary technicians. Administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), it evaluates proficiency in areas like animal care, surgical assistance, lab procedures, and medication dispensing. Passing the VTNE signifies the individual has the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level veterinary technician positions. The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, with a time limit of three hours. It is typically a requirement for licensure in most jurisdictions in the United States and Canada.

100 - Multiple Choice
Pharmacy & Pharmacology - 12%
Surgical Nursing - 11%
Dentistry - 7%
Laboratory Procedures - 12%
Animal Care and Nursing - 22%
Diagnostic Imaging - 7%
Anesthesia - 16%
Emergency Medicine/Critical Care - 6%
Pain Management/Analgesia - 7%

180 Minutes