Welcome to the New Jersey Veterinary Technicians & Assistants

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of memberships? 

Membership with the NJVTA is available in three categories: 

• Certified Veterinary Technician/Technologist Membership 
  • Open to graduates of AVMA accredited veterinary technology program who have pass the VTNE
• General Membership
  • Open to Veterinary Assistants and 
• Support Staff Student Membership
  •  Open to Veterinary Technology/Veterinary Assistant Students

What is a Credentialed Veterinary Technician? 

Individuals must have graduated from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam.  Credentialed Veterinary Technicians are required to keep up-to-date with continuing education as outlined by their state credentialing body. Credentialing in NJ is voluntary, and all veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Credentialing, sometimes called certification, is when a private organization creates criteria to verify that a person has advanced knowledge and skills in their field. Certification is usually voluntary, meaning an individual chooses to pursue professional credentials. 

Are Alternate Pathways to becoming a CVT available? 

In the state of NJ, Veterinary technicians who complete an AVMA-accredited program in Veterinary technology can sit for the veterinary technician national exam (VTNE). States may vary in the regulation of Veterinary Technicians, but overall this is the most common pathway to credentialing. and allow you to practice across all states. excuse me, I have to get ready for work

The AAVSB will be your best source to find information on alternate paths through a state that may still offer the VTNE to non-VT school grads. Many Pre-vet students with BS degrees choose to gain their VT degree through distance learning. There have been cases where recent graduates were able to transfer their gen-eds and had about 1 year of school to complete the AS degree allowing them to sit for the exam. They now have a BS in science and an AS in VT--this is a potential path for long-term career security. 

What is the process for NJ Credentialing? How do I become a Credentialed Veterinary Technician? 

In the state of NJ, people who complete an AVMA-accredited program in Veterinary Technology can sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). States may vary in the regulation of Vet Techs, but overall this is the most common pathway to credentialing. Currently, credentialing is voluntary in NJ but the majority of states have title and/or task protection for the Veterinary technician role and we anticipate this will happen in the future for New Jersey as well.  We encourage everyone to pursue the highest level of credentialing to advance their career and allow you to practice across all states.

We encourage you to visit the following websites to learn more about the field and the schools that offer this program. In NJ, currently, there are 3 AVMA accredited programs-- Bergen and Camden County Colleges, and Rowan University. 

There are distance-learning options for those who must continue to work full-time as well. As you research you will find that you can receive an Associate or a Bachelor and there are pros and cons to these options. Check out the NAVTA website https://www.navta.net/ our national association for more information on the profession. 

Visit the AAVSB website at https://www.aavsb.org/vtne-overview/ for more information on the VTNE and various state requirements. 

This is a link to accredited schools in the USA https://www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Accreditation/Programs/Pages/ve ttech-programs-all-programs-list.aspx 

What are the CE requirements to maintain my credentials? 

Our membership and credential renewals are by calendar year. While our certifications run yearly, we allow for CE to be collected every 2 years. We understand that some people save up to go to larger conferences and may get all of the needed CE at that time so do not require the CE to be submitted yearly. We just look to see that certified members are getting at least 20 hours of CE every 2 years. If you should be randomly audited and have to provide CE certificates, we would look to see that you have 20 hours of CE from the 2 previous years combined. 

Why is credentialing important? 

Professional credentialing is crucial as it validates an individual’s expertise and qualifications, providing a reliable measure of their skills and knowledge in a specific field. This validation enhances credibility, trust, and confidence among colleagues, employers, and clients. Here are two articles that discuss this concerning veterinary technology: 

https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/personal-professional-development/navigating-the-veteri nary-technician-credential-conversation/ 

https://vet.purdue.edu/nursing/articles/can-you-be-a-vet-tech-without-a-degree.php

How do I transfer into NJ as a CVT? 

To apply for certification as a Veterinary technician in the state of New Jersey, follow the instructions below.  If you are licensed, registered, or credentialed in another state, you will follow the same instructions.

What is an AVA? 

Every position on the veterinary team is important, and Veterinary Assistants are crucial. 

During the course of a single day, an assistant helps Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians perform their responsibilities. To learn more about the Veterinary Assistant role or to become an Approved Veterinary Assistant, click on the following link:

Veterinary Assistants Program - NAVTA

If my certification lapses, how do I reinstate my membership? 

A certification is considered lapsed if it is more than 10 months expired. 

To reinstate your certification, please visit our website and navigate to the "Membership and Certifications" section. Look for the "Reinstatement" link and click on it. 

Complete the provided form, and a member of our team will get back to you with further instructions on the reinstatement process.

I can’t log into my account.

There are two main reasons why you will not be able to log into the info hub:

1. You are not currently a member, or your membership or certification is expired.
2. The contact information we have for you on file is no longer accurate 

If you cannot log into your account, please email membership@NJVTA.com.

How do I update my personal information such as name or mailing address? 

To keep your details current, simply log into your account and head to the InfoHub. From there, you can effortlessly edit and update your personal information. Ensure that your profile reflects the latest and most accurate details. Here is a short tutorial that will help guide you: 

https://www.screencast.com/t/iewWlir6ckc0 

Thank you for keeping your information up-to-date! If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our team at info@njvta.com. 

What are the requirements to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam?

For information on eligibility to the VTNE, go to AAVSB’s Web site at 

https://www.aavsb.org/vtne-overview/the-online-application . 

What are the membership and credentialing fees?

Membership a good for 1 calendar year.

$45 - Initial Certification with General Membership

$45 – Renewal Certification with General Membership

If certification is renewed after April 1st a $10 late fee will be applied.

If certification is lapsed, meaning your certification is greater than 10 months expired, a $20 lapse fee is applied in addition to the regular yearly fee.

$35 – General Membership

$10 – Student membership

All fees are paid online.  New memberships are paid via the application and membership renewals are paid via the link emailed to members on November 1st each year.

Please do not send applications or checks via regular mail.