Vet Tech Career Ladder


CAREER LADDER FOR ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS

(PROPOSAL - OCTOBER 17, 1992)

CRITERIA FOR CHARTER CERTIFICATES

The following criteria must be met and verified by a supervising veterinarian. Certificates will be granted upon submission of appropriate documentation and approval of California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The period for obtaining a Charter Certificate will terminate two years after the Career Ladder has been instituted by the Board or Governors of the CVMA. After the expiration of the Charter certificate period, candidates may apply for certification according to the criteria established in the Career Ladder - Steps and Grades.

  1. In order to apply for any step in the ladder, the candidate must be a California Certified, Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), a CVMA member and have been employed as a RVT for the minimum time required at that step.

  2. The candidate must posses the appropriate job skills for the step as verified by the supervising veterinarian.

STEP

TIME

JOB SKILLS

Veterinary Technician I

6 mos.

Entry level

Veterinary Technician II

5 years

Proficiency in basic RVT skills (administering and monitoring anesthesia, IV catheters, radiology, etc)

Veterinary Technician III

10 years

Advanced RVT skills (special procedures supervisory duties, etc,)

Veterinary Technician IV

15 years

Exceptional skills and growth Independent authority Management Unique value to practice


CRITERIA FOR CAREER LADDER CERTIFICATES STEPS AND GRADES

The following criteria must be met and documented by official transcripts, continuing education certificates and the signature or the supervising veterinarian. Certificates will be granted upon submission of appropriate documentation and approval of the CVMA. Candidates may apply for certification at any level in the ladder for which they meet the qualifications.

In order to apply for any step in the ladder, the candidate must be a California Certified RVT, a CVMA member and have been employed as a RVT for the minimum time required at that step.

Unregistered assistants are encouraged to prepare for entrance into the Career Ladder by following the grades outlined for Veterinary Assistant.

VETERINARY ASSISTANT

GRADE

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Semester Units

CE Units

Months

1

6

or

30

and

6

2

12

or

60

and

12

3

18

or

90

and

18

4

24

or

120

and

24

5

30

or

150

and

30


VETERINARY TECHNICIAN I

Minimum Requirements for Entrance into Career Ladder as Veterinary Technician I:

  1. Certification as a RVT in California

  2. Six months work experience after certification (may have been employed and certified in another state)

GRADE

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Semester Units

CE Units

Months

1

6

or

30

and

12

2

12

or

60

and

18

3

18

or

90

and

24

4

24

or

120

and

30

5

30

or

150

and

36


VETERINARY TECHNICIAN II

Minimum Requirements for Veterinary Technician II:

  1. Three years work experience as certified RVT

  2. Additional 30 semester units or equivalent of AA degree or 150 CE units

GRADE

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Semester Units

CE Units

Months

1

6

or

30

and

6

2

12

or

60

and

12

3

18

or

90

and

18

4

24

or

120

and

24

5

30

or

150

and

30


VETERINARY TECHNICIAN III

Minimum Requirements for Veterinary Technician III:

  1. Six years work experience as certified RVT and an additional 30 semester units in veterinary related or life science subjects or 150 CE units

or

  1. Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Technology and six months work experience after certification as RVT

or

  1. Bachelor's Degree in Life Science and one year work experience after certification as RVT

GRADE

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Semester Units

CE Units

Months

1

6

or

30

and

6

2

12

or

60

and

12

3

18

or

90

and

18

4

24

or

120

and

24

5

30

or

150

and

30


VETERINARY TECHNICIAN IV

Minimum Requirements for Veterinary Technician IV:

  1. Nine years work experience as certified RVT

  2. Additional 30 semester units or 150 CE units

or

  1. Master's Degree in a field related to veterinary practice and three years work experience as certified RVT

(Continued advancement in Veterinary Technician IV grades 1-5 as above)

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