Navigating Continuing Education Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

The veterinary technology profession is constantly evolving, demanding that veterinary technicians stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices. Continuing education (CE) plays a crucial role in ensuring competency and professional growth. This article provides a comprehensive overview of CE requirements for veterinary technicians, drawing upon recommendations from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and specific state regulations.

The Importance of Continuing Education

Continuing education is essential for veterinary technicians to:

Maintain and enhance their skills and knowledge.
Provide the best possible care to animal patients.
Keep up with advancements in veterinary medicine.
Meet the requirements for license renewal in many states.

NAVTA's Recommended Standards

The Board of Directors of NAVTA, committed to advancing the veterinary technology profession, has adopted recommended standards for veterinary technicians to maintain their licenses. These standards are intended to serve as a foundation for individual states to establish their license maintenance requirements.

A working group, the VNI Committee, conducted research on current license maintenance requirements for veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and registered nurses. The group also investigated the appropriate number of required CE credits. Their findings revealed that the average requirement across the United States is 8.5 CE units per year (12 months). The working group also noted that many states limit non-medical/clinical CE units to six or fewer in every two-year cycle.

Furthermore, the working group observed that numerous states impose limits on the number of online/live or on-demand CE credits allowed per renewal period. However, the committee did not deem such a restriction necessary, advocating for individuals to have the flexibility to earn CE in a manner that best suits their circumstances.

State-Specific Requirements

CE requirements for veterinary technicians vary significantly from state to state. It is the responsibility of each veterinary licensee to stay informed about their state's specific regulations, as these are subject to change. The following are examples of state-specific requirements:

Arizona

Veterinarians in Arizona are required to complete 20 hours of CE every two years and can complete all 20 hours through online courses.

Florida

While veterinary technicians are not currently licensed in Florida, certification through the FL Veterinary Medicine Association requires 15 hours of CE every two years, with a maximum of seven hours earned online.

Georgia

Veterinarians in Georgia must complete two hours of CE in GA law, rules, and professionalism (one hour must be live). Up to five hours may be in hospital management. Veterinary technicians in Georgia are required to complete 12 CE hours per year via MVTA and can complete all 12 hours through online courses.

Kentucky

Veterinarians in Kentucky need to complete 30 hours of continuing education on a biennial basis, with a maximum of four hours that can be completed online. Veterinary technicians in Kentucky must complete six hours of continuing education on an annual basis, with a maximum of six hours that can be completed online. The veterinary license renewal deadline in Kentucky is September 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota

Veterinarians in Minnesota are required to complete 40 hours of CE every two years, with a maximum of 10 hours allowed through online courses. At least 30 of the 40 hours must be from interactive sources, such as lectures and wet labs. No more than 10 hours may be from practice management programs. One hour of CE credit is awarded for every 50 minutes of lecture or training. While not required by the state, certified MVTA veterinary technicians must complete 10 hours per renewal cycle.

North Carolina

Effective January 1, 2025, the Minimum Standard for Continuing Education, 21 NCAC 66 .0206, has been updated. Veterinarians are exempt from the 8-hour training requirement on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders for all DEA-registered practitioners (The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023).

Specific CE requirements for North Carolina include:

20 hours required each year.
A maximum of 10 hours may be obtained for independent self-study courses, prerecorded webinars, audio conferences, and non-interactive online presentations by approved continuing education credit providers. The remaining hours require in-person attendance or live interactive attendance.
Beginning in 2020, two hours of CE on the 'abuse of controlled substances' will be required per renewal cycle; these two hours are included in the total number of CE hours.

Rhode Island

Veterinary technicians are not currently licensed in Rhode Island. Certification is through the Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association, which requires 12 hours every year by December 31.

Vermont

Veterinary technicians are not currently licensed in Vermont.

Wyoming

Vet Tech Certification is administered as a voluntary certification through the Wyoming Veterinary Technician Association.

Approved CE Providers and Course Formats

Many states accept courses approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) and programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

CE can be obtained through various formats, including:

Interactive CE: Live webinars, lectures at conferences, and wet labs. Watching a VETgirl webinar live counts as “interactive” continuing education (CE), which is no different than sitting in a lecture at a conference.
Passive/Non-interactive CE: On-demand webinar recordings and recorded podcasts. To obtain “passive”/”non-interactive” CE credit, you must successfully complete a quiz associated with that material.
Independent Self-Study Courses: Credits may be earned by completion of independent self-study courses.
University/College Internship Programs: Need prior Board approval before being used as CE credit.

It's crucial to verify whether a CE provider and course format are accepted by your state's veterinary board. Check with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners for a list of approved CE providers.

Special Requirements and Considerations

Controlled Substances: Beginning in 2020, North Carolina requires two hours of CE on the 'abuse of controlled substances' per renewal cycle. Controlled substance prescribing for chronic pain management includes resources like VetBloom: The Prescription and Use of Opioids in Small Animal Patients and NCPHP: Controlled Substance CE Video.
Extensions: In North Carolina, an individual may request an extension of time to obtain continuing education if they provide evidence of a medical emergency, natural disaster, or other severe hardship.
CE Audits: Random CE audits will be conducted per renewal cycle. Each veterinarian and veterinary technician shall keep a record (certificate of attendance) for the three (3) most recent renewal periods of the content of courses submitted to the Board for continuing education credit hours.
Program Approval: In North Carolina, the Board recommends that individuals seeking CE credits contact the Provider of the program first to see if pre-approval has been granted by NCVMB. Providers are required to present each individual who has completed the program with a certificate showing the number of credit hours as approved by the NCVMB. Approval of future programs depends on compliance with Board requirements. Should any changes be made to the CE program, the Board will need to have prior notification in writing of those changes. Preferably, information on a program should be submitted to the Board office a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the presentation.

Staying Updated

Veterinary technicians should proactively verify their state's CE requirements and approved providers by consulting their state veterinary board. Given the potential for changes in regulations, it is essential to remain vigilant and informed.

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