#North American Veterinary Licensing Exam

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Well, tomorrow’s the day…

The day I take the NAVLE!

[a-timey-wimey-leaf-on-the-wind]

It's come to my attention that it is NAVLE season! To all you 4th year vet students, good luck, get some sleep and rock that 7 hours of hell!

[catdoctorb]

I found out this past week that I passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam! That means that after graduation in May, I will officially be a doctor!!! I also have my dream job waiting for me at a cat only hospital!

[careeralley]

Path to Paws: A Quick Guide to Becoming a Veterinarian

Building a career in the medical industry requires sheer determination, hard work, and dedication. You also have to be ready to invest long years in formal education, practical training, and hands-on experience. The same rules apply to veterinary professionals too, and you cannot expect things to be easier because you will treat animals instead of humans. If you want to know more about the career trajectory of a veterinarian, let us explain it in detail. Career Trajectory of a Veterinarian - Educational Foundation: Begins with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology or animal science, focusing on prerequisites for veterinary school. - Veterinary School Admission: Requires passing the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), along with a strong academic record and animal experience. - Veterinary Medicine Degree: Four years of veterinary school to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), including classroom, laboratory, and clinical components. - Licensing: Veterinarians must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) for licensure, along with any state-specific requirements. - Internship: Though not mandatory, many new vets opt for a 1-year internship to gain hands-on experience in a specialized area of interest. - Specialization: Vets can choose to specialize in fields such as surgery, dermatology, or internal medicine, requiring additional education and certification. - Continuing Education: To maintain licensure, veterinarians must complete ongoing continuing education to stay updated on the latest veterinary practices and technologies. - Private Practice: Many veterinarians work in or eventually own private practices, offering general or specialized care to animals. - Research and Academia: Some veterinarians focus on research to develop new treatments or teach at veterinary schools, shaping the next generation of veterinarians. - Non-traditional Roles: Opportunities also exist in fields like public health, wildlife conservation, and pharmaceuticals, where veterinary expertise is invaluable. Ever wondered how to transform your love for animals into a veterinary career? Our guide breaks down the steps, from education to practice. Discover your pathway to healing paws and hearts alike. #VetPath #AnimalLovers #CareerGoalsClick To Tweet A 4-year Bachelor’s degree Before you seek admission into a vet school, you will need a conventional 4-year bachelor’s degree. Choose a program that offers a strong foundation in subjects such as biological and physical sciences because they will help you in vet school. Alternatively, you may opt for an associate’s degree related to animal healthcare. An associate’s degree saves you time as you can complete it in only two years. How to Become a Veterinarian: A Complete Guide to Discover the Veterinary Career $13.99 A Complete Guide to Discover the Veterinary Career and Make the First Step Towards Your Dreams! Do you love animals and want to learn how to help and heal them?Are you an inspiring veterinarian looking for some professional career advice?THIS BOOK COVERS ALL THE BASICS AND FUNDAMENTALS OF A VETERINARY PROFESSION! Buy on Amazon.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. 03/22/2024 02:10 pm GMT 4 years in a veterinary school After completing the bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree, the next step is to get into a vet school to earn a doctorate. It is a 4-year degree, where you study the theoretical parts of veterinary medicine for the first three years and get practical training with animals for one year. The program covers subjects such as animal anatomy, physiology, nutritional care, and parasitology. Licensure Once you graduate from a vet school, you cannot start practicing right away. You will have to get a license by appearing for a licensing exam first. You can start preparing it along with your studies and even sit for the exam before you graduate. As soon as you clear the exam, you can begin practicing medicine as a vet. At this stage, you must explore disability insurance for soon-to-be veterinarians to secure your future income potential. It is the best move you can make to future-proof your career right at an early stage. How to Become a Veterinarian $10.24 The Most Up-to-Date, Comprehensive, and Fun Guide to Becoming a Vet - Over 100 pages. This fact-pact and enlightening book covers everything kids need to know about becoming a vet. It also gives a realistic view of what daily life is like as a vet - the challenges and triumphs. Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. 03/22/2024 02:06 pm GMT Internship While you may consider starting your own clinic, it is recommended that you take up an internship program under a seasoned veterinarian before going independent. An internship gives you good exposure to clinical settings and bolsters your confidence as your seniors guide you and help you to learn from your mistakes. You are in a better position to handle animal patients more comfortably as well. Further, first-hand experience with clinical procedures gives you a better chance of success later. The Ultimate Guide to Internships: 100 Steps to Get a Great Internship $19.99 $15.53 Discover the seminal book on turning your internship experience into a career-building launchpad for your future. Author Eric Woodard, who got his start as a star intern in the White House, has mentored hundreds of interns as they transition in their careers to something bigger and better.  Buy from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. 03/21/2024 01:50 pm GMT Specialization degree While conventional veterinary education takes around eight years to complete, you may opt to study further for a specialization degree. You may pick fields such as anesthesia, surgery, dermatology, or animal behavior, depending on your interest. A specialization degree adds value to your qualifications and promises a higher income potential. The period of the specialization varies, though you can pursue it along with your career. Final Words Embarking on the path to a veterinary career is both challenging and rewarding. With a solid educational foundation, the right licensing, and a passion for animal care, you can achieve your dream of becoming a veterinarian. This journey promises a fulfilling career dedicated to healing and caring for animals, offering endless opportunities for growth and specialization. As you move forward, remember that each step brings you closer to making a significant impact in the lives of animals and their human companions. Stay committed, keep learning, and your dedication will surely lead to success in this compassionate and vital profession. How To Find Work You Love Choose your career path, Master Your Career in 30 days $24.99 $14.99 In this book, you will discover simple step-by-step methods to uncover the right role, job, career, or even business for you. By reading this book you will:- Discover your passion - How to Leverage your key strengths and weaknesses - Choose the right career path for you - The types of jobs you will excel at – backed by science Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. 03/20/2024 06:56 pm GMT Read the full article

[australianveterinaryschools]

What is the NAVLE?

The veterinary medicine programs featured by OzTREKK are AVMA accredited, which means graduates of these programs are eligible to sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) along with graduates from AVMA accredited veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada.

After you’ve graduated from your AVMA-accredited veterinary program, you must register with the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB). The NEB reviews the credentials of graduates of non-Canadian colleges of veterinary medicine who wish to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in Canada.Learn more about Australian vet degrees

Write the NAVLE

The NAVLE is a requirement to enter into private veterinary medical practice in North America. The exam is offered throughout North America and certain overseas sites at computer testing centers operated by Prometric, and is available during a four-week testing window in November–December, and a two-week window in April.

You are strongly encouraged to wait until all clinical rotations have been completed before sitting the NAVLE. This usually means waiting until November – December as these are invaluable for providing the general clinical awareness and experience needed to pass the NAVLE.

Once you successfully complete the NAVLE, you will be granted a Certificate of Qualification (CQ). You must complete this exam within 2 attempts, otherwise an additional Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE) is required.

The examination consists of 360 multiple-choice questions, answered on computer at a private testing center. Sixty of the items are unscored pretest items, but the identity of these items is not apparent, and they are dispersed throughout the test. Approximately 15% – 20% of the items on the NAVLE include graphic or pictorial information relevant to the item (photograph, radiograph, drawing, chart, etc.). The 360 questions are divided by activity (e.g., data gathering and interpretation; health maintenance and problem management) and species (small animal/large animal/equine plus a small amount of public health).

All NAVLE items are relevant to entry-level private clinical practice.

There is a total of 6.5 hours test time (6 blocks of 65 minutes each).

A total of 45 minutes of break time can be taken during the day (including lunch).

The pass mark is 70%.

Because of this large number of questions and the time constraints, being successful requires a sensible exam strategy and familiarity with the format (lots of practice tests!).

Find out more about studying veterinary medicine and hear from a current Melbourne DVM student!

[batman-mustache]

What a fucking day. Found out I passed the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) AND my dream clinic gave me a job offer. Should have bought a lottery ticket or something, because woof! What’s up with this luck?

[dickvetdiaries]

2014: first equine practical of first year

2018: last day of equine rotations in final year

2019: graduation

Quick update on final year!

Rotations started off really rocky but then found my feet not long after. Completed and passed all my exams, even after having to sit the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) TWICE. And for those who don’t know about the NAVLE, it’s this horrendous standardised American exam that not only costed me a limb, but it’s also 7 hours long and have 300 multiple choice questions. I wanted to shoot myself by the end of the first one. Cried my heart out when I realised I failed it, sat for it AGAIN because I couldn’t accept my failures and passed second time round (yay)! Went for multiple job interviews and got turned down for many of them and was really disheartened. But I finally landed on my feet (once again!)

5 years have now passed and even if I’ve not updated this blog as much as I would have liked to, I’m glad to say the last 5 years have been the absolute bomb. And it was all thanks to the support I’ve been given throughout, from the friends I’ve made in uni, to all my loved ones at home, to all the staff I’ve met throughout my 5 years — I really couldn’t have done it without you guys. Eternally grateful for the opportunity I was given ❤️ Now on to the next chapter - actually putting all them 5 years to practice!

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Nothing will motivate you to pass the NAVLE on your first attempt like paying the application fee 😭

[healthboundco]

What is Chiropody?

What is Chiropody? 

Chiropractic is the branch of health care devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system generally known as the skeletal system. This system is comprised of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, organs, and other tissues. 

The term chiropractic is derived from the Greek words erases (sacro-us) meaning "subluxation," and prints (group) meaning "works." This discipline is founded on the belief that the body can heal itself and that manipulation of the joints and soft tissue of the spine and other areas can correct physical dysfunction and disease.

What is chiropody? A chiropractor is generally a former professional of the osteopathic, veterinary, or medical fields who have achieved a certificate or other recognition in this field. They often have additional training to perform additional functions in chiropody such as performing invasive tests and laboratory exams. 

Some chiropractors also provide rehabilitative or therapeutic services in addition to their regular practice of chiropody. Many chiropractors are well trained in using diagnostic devices such as X-rays and MRIs. They can often use these diagnostic tools to help diagnose and treat many common health care problems, you can book an appointment now.

What is chiropody? In the most basic sense, chiropody is the application of conservative techniques to treat non-malignant disorders of the musculoskeletal system generally described as low back pain, neck pain, or headaches. Sometimes chiropractic is used to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system that are suspected of having an underlying cause that can be treated by medical science. 

For example, chiropractors can use spinal adjustments to correct misalignment of the spinal cord, which can lead to conditions such as Cerebral Palsy (a condition that causes a group of disability including impaired movement, coordination, balance, reflexes, cognitive ability and awareness) or Multiple Sclerosis (a group of neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system).

What is Chiropody? 

In some areas of North America, chiropody and podiatry are commonly referred to as the same thing. While there are no national laws that regulate either term, the American Association of Clinical Podiatric Medicine and the American Dental Association do agree on some standards for defining a chiropractic office. 

In general, chiropody refers to a doctor that uses a series of gentle, usually non-forceful, adjustments to treat conditions such as neck pain, back pain, whiplash, head aches, fractures, sprains and bruises, among other conditions. 

Treatment may also include stretching and strengthening of the muscles and soft tissues, use of ultrasound energy to stimulate healing, or a combination of those approaches.

What is Chiropody? 

Chiropractic care was first founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1969. He had extensive training in both chiropody and orthopedics but decided that he preferred to treat patients more directly using his medical knowledge. Today, he offers outpatient services as well as inpatient services in a variety of facilities, including hospitals, private offices and rehabilitation centers. He believes that chiropody provides a natural way to heal by using the spinal alignment that our bodies were designed to maintain.

Can you go to a chiropractor, osteopath or podiatrist for an examination and treatment for what is known as a misalignment? 

Not all areas of North America have these professionals in the same area. However, most major cities have a chiropodist or chiropractors who provide treatments for a wide range of conditions, some of which can be serious. 

If you are looking for a chiropractor in Ontario, you should be prepared to ask about their chiropody program, which can often be more extensive than what you would find in more rural areas. Some areas have no chiropody program at all, while others include this as part of a larger health care system.

Many chiropractors, podiatrists and osteopaths are also licensed to provide chiropractic adjustments, which are also sometimes referred to as spinal manipulations. Some chiropractors and podiatrists have also received additional education, such as chiropractic medicine or human anatomy. It is common for chiropractors to receive additional training once they become licensed.

The best way to find out about a chiropractor in Ontario is to ask about their chiropody course certification. If they do not have any formal training, they will probably not be able to provide you with adequate care.

Chiropractors and podiatrists can provide many services that are not included in mainstream medicine. They can perform an examination and provide a referral for a physical therapy specialist, who can prescribe appropriate exercise programs. 

Chiropractors and podiatrists who specialize in the field of chiropody can treat low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and other conditions as well as diseases and disorders of the skeletal and muscular systems. 

Most chiropractors and podiatrists also offer a complete range of health care services, from preventive care to specialty treatments. They can perform chiropody exercises and prescribe chiropody spinal manipulations in an office setting, or they can perform these services in a laboratory.

[australianveterinaryschools]

Former OzTREKK student talks about studying at UQ Veterinary School

If you’re considering studying veterinary medicine abroad, learn a bit more about the process from former OzTREKKer and University of Queensland alumni, Reiko Yamazaki-Lai! Reiko reached out to OzTREKK in 2014, interested in pursuing her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Reiko is now a practicing vet in Australia and OzTREKK could not be more proud of her. A big thank you goes out to Reiko for sharing her story, and we hope you can find inspiration if you’re thinking about taking the next steps.

About Dr. Reiko Yamazaki-Lai When I was in high school in Ontario, I was a part of the co-op program which allowed students to work in an area of expertise they were interested in. At 15, I began working at my local veterinary clinic where my interest and drive to become a veterinarian flourished. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Guelph with a BSc in Animal Biology. My veterinary school journey began in 2015, at the University of Queensland in Australia, through their Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program.

Why Australia? People have always asked me, “Why did you go to Australia for vet school?” The real question is, why not? When I didn’t get into OVC (I only applied once) I decided that I would explore my options. At the time, I knew vets who had attended vet school in the Caribbean and I had attended a few seminars about that application process. But I was slowly becoming more interested in what Australia had to offer. Personally, moving far away from home for vet school was enticing; I had always been an independent person with a thirst for adventure and trying new things.

The University of Queensland is the perfect place for someone who doesn’t like being cold. In Queensland, summers are hot and humid (30–45 degrees) and winters can fluctuate between 5 degrees in the morning and 25 degrees during the day. The veterinary school is located in a rural town around an hour inland from Brisbane. This is the perfect place for a veterinary school because you are surrounded by farms and animals. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a kangaroo or wallaby in the early mornings as you drive to school.

(Speaking of driving, it’s a lot easier than you think to drive on the left, or “wrong” side of the road. I remember the first few weeks of driving, I found myself saying, “left, left, left,” to remind myself not to veer onto the right-hand side of the road. As a Canadian, my Ontario license was also immediately transferable to a Queensland one.)

Another question that often comes up is, “What’s the difference between Australia and Canada?” Here are a few differences I discovered upon moving to Australia:

Fruits and vegetables are sold by the kilogram, which initially made me think everything was super expensive!

Tax (GST) is included in the price of everything, so the price on the sticker is the price of the item.

Most people drive manual cars and some of my friends thought it was ridiculous that I only knew how to drive automatic.

How Do You Get Connected With OzTREKK? While I was at Guelph, getting in contact with the people from OzTREKK was easy. A few times a month, they had a booth at the University Centre on-campus. OzTREKK made the application process incredibly simple and stress-free. However, I did do my own research to find out more about the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney and Melbourne University. These three universities are AVMA-accredited, which is incredibly important for those who will move back to North America after graduation.

Which Veterinary School Is Best For You? Now I understand that financially speaking, not everyone has the means to move to another country. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way! When I compared moving to Australia vs. the US or the Caribbean, financially speaking, everything was pretty similar. There are many financial options out there, so make sure that you are proactive and do your research before deciding which place is best for you. Most importantly, ensure that you choose a place that suits your needs, lifestyle and where you can see yourself living for 4+ years.

For me, when I was making my decision to move to Australia, I took a week to decide how badly I wanted to become a veterinarian. Would I be able to take the risk of re-applying to the OVC and not getting in? Or would I be able to adapt to a life in another country, away from friends and family? Ultimately, my decision was based on what I was willing to do to pursue the career I had always wanted. You need to think to yourself, how badly do you want this? Are you willing to make some sacrifices to pursue your dream of becoming a veterinarian? All these important questions you need to ask yourself when deciding if an international veterinary school is right for you.

Program Specifics I spent 5 years at the University of Queensland and graduated in 2019 with my BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science). If you’re worried about being an older student doing this degree, don’t be! This program caters to people from all over the world at different stages of life, all coming together with the common goal of becoming a veterinarian. The university itself also has state of the art facilities and veterinary specialists to match, all which are there to help guide you through the program.

Overall, your first year is spent figuring out how to study efficiently, meeting new people, making friends, and joining extracurriculars. After first year, UQ makes it a priority that vet students do mandatory placement at equine facilities and dairy, beef and sheep farms.

It is essential as a veterinarian to have an appreciation for farmers, and to better understand the dedication it takes to raise their animals. As students, we received quad-bike training, as most farmers herd their animals using quad bikes or on horseback. As someone who grew up in the city, all of this was new to me but I enjoyed every second of it. My favourite placement was the time I spent at a robotic dairy farm, one of the few in the area at the time. These placements are done during your holidays and are a requirement to finish by end of first semester of third year.

Another aspect that makes the University of Queensland slightly different from North American veterinary schools is the oral exams (VIVAs). These are required in third and fifth year. Despite how scary these exams sound, I truly believe that they have made me a better veterinarian. The VIVAs provided me with the ability to rapidly process information about a case and decipher the important information pertinent to the patient.

Extracurriculars Besides travelling around Australia during my holidays, I also strived to be a part of as many clubs as I could. Being able to make veterinary school a positive experience for me and my fellow students was important. I found that being a part of these clubs allowed me to focus on other aspects of veterinary school besides academics. It’s all about balance! Here are a few of my most memorable experiences:

Student member of the UQ Veterinary School Admissions Committee – Being the voice of current students and their experiences in the application process, as well as shaping the application process for future students.

President and Treasurer of the UQ chapter of Vets Beyond Borders (VBB) – Fundraising for the VBB organization and ensuring students have an understanding of what it takes to partake in veterinary field medicine worldwide.

UQ Veterinary School Career and Business workshop coordinator – Coordinating job fairs and workshops for fifth year students as they seek out careers within the veterinary profession.

UQ student representative for VetPrep – Providing fellow students with information about taking the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Examination) and how VetPrep can help.

Clinical Year My final year was the best part of veterinary school because it provided me with the opportunity to put everything I had learned into practice. As a student, fifth year was the first time I was able to work alongside veterinary specialists as colleagues. It was the longest, most tiring, but most fun year of veterinary school. Since I am interested in the avian and exotics specialty, in fifth year I had the opportunity to do placements at the Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne, and at avian and exotics clinics in Brisbane and New Zealand. My other interests lie in field medicine, so as part of my clinical elective I spent 4 weeks in an Aboriginal community in Queensland. There, I participated in a spay and neuter clinic for local animals and provided educational sessions for children from the local elementary school.

Life After Vet School Since graduating in 2019, I made the decision not to move back to Canada. Instead, I decided to remain in Australia, moving from Queensland to New South Wales to join a small animal general practice. The team I work with is an incredibly supportive group of veterinarians and nurses who have become part of my family. At this clinic, we do a lot of general and orthopaedic surgeries, sport medicine, and work alongside local rescue and wildlife groups as well. I have learnt so much these past few months and I continue to do so every day.

This story was originally posted by University of Guelph Future Vets Club

[doctr-p]

In about an hour I'll be sitting for one of most important exams of my life...the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Essentially if I don't pass, my degree will be worthless when I graduate in May :') Let's hope I don't fuck it up! XD

[mylifeasavetstudent]

Hi! I strive to be a veterinary technician but where I live there are no schools or programs at the moment and have no money to travel in regards to school. I am going to graduate soon and have already applied to a local college in hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in bio. I am wondering if this seems like the right choice? Some of my friends have told me it is not required to go to college to become a vet tech but my mom is making me. Thank you in advance!

Hi! 

Phew, this is a loaded question. 

Let’s start by saying: this varies A LOT by location. It is definitely not straightforward, and every veterinary assistant/technician you ask will have a wildly different answer.

Every US state (I’m sure it varies even more wildly by COUNTRY) has different laws in regards to what people with different levels of certification can do. 

I currently work as a veterinary assistant who has been trained on the job. I don’t have any official certification - I was just taught by other assistants, technicians, and doctors over a few years. 

In addition, I have my bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, and am planning to go on to veterinary school in the fall. 

That being said, I don’t have a lot of experience with veterinary technician schooling, exams, or licensure. Any of my followers with more experience, please feel free to add on or correct me!

—-

According to NAVTA (The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and the AVMA (The American Veterinary Medical Association), the correct term is “Veterinary Technician” in the US (as opposed to terms like “Veterinary nurse” used in other countries) - another source of debate and varied opinions! 

There are people with zero official certification, people who are LICENSED veterinary technicians (LVTs), people who are CERTIFIED veterinary technicians (CVTs), and people who are REGISTERED veterinary technicians (RVTs). Again, the difference varies by state.

After completing a Veterinary Technician program (~2 years) and receiving your degree, most jobs require you to take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) - the nationwide exam. Once passing this, depending on the state, you may have to pay a fee (no exam required - just proof of your degree and your passing exam grade). Paying the fee will make you “licensed”. I believe this needs to be repaid every 2-3 years to maintain your licensure.

In addition, there may be a mandatory amount of C.E. (Continuing Education) credits you must obtained every year to maintain your licensure.

I’m not sure if this is still in effect - but in some states, you are able to take the VTNE exam WITHOUT attending veterinary technician school. (In other states, you need to show proof of your degree in order to even take the exam). Passing the VTNE will then enable you to pay for your license.

Now, once a veterinary technician or technologist, you can also move forward by becoming a veterinary technician SPECIALIST (they usually work under a veterinary doctor who chose to specialize in a certain field and become a board certified specialist). 

——

Let’s do a brief overview of the medical staff in a veterinary hospital.

Quotes below are according to the NAVTA website: VETERINARIAN: “The veterinarian is solely responsible for diagnosing, prognosing, prescribing medication and performing surgery. They are ultimately responsible for all patient care and outcomes. Most veterinarians apply for veterinary medical school admission while obtaining a bachelor degree in a compatible field. If accepted into a medical school, the course of study usually takes another four years, making that a grand total of eight years of schooling. Every state requires a veterinarian to take and pass a licensing exam. Successful candidates are given a license to practice veterinary medicine.”

BOTH VETERINARY TECHNICIANS AND VETERINARY TECHNOLOGISTS:“The veterinary Technicians and technologists are educated to be the veterinarian’s nurse, laboratory technician, radiography technician, anesthetist, surgical nurse and client educator. Many veterinary technicians and technologists are placed in a supervisory role in veterinary practices, research institutions and other employment options. Veterinary technicians can find employment in veterinary practices, biomedical research, zoo/wildlife medicine, industry, military, livestock health management, pharmaceutical sales, etc. Almost every state requires a veterinary technician/technologist to take and pass a credentialing exam. Passing this exam ensures the public that the veterinary technician has entry-level knowledge of the duties they are asked to perform in the veterinary clinic or hospital.”

That’s important to keep in mind. You don’t have to be working in a general practice small animal hospital giving vaccines to cats and dogs. You have the option to work with small animals (cats/dogs), large animals (horses/cows/sheep), exotics (birds/reptiles/rodents), zoo animals, wildlife animals. You can work in a hospital, or you can work in a research lab. You can work in industrial jobs or government/military jobs. There’s a huge variety of options.

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN: “A veterinary technician is a graduate from a two-year, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college or university.”

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIST: “A veterinary technologist has graduated from an AVMA accredited bachelor degree program.”

VTS: “A veterinary technician or technologist specialist has met the same requirements as above plus spends about 75% of their time doing a specific task and has passed a specialist certification exam administered by a Specialist Academy. Currently, there are eleven academies offering specialty certification.”

Keep in mind this is a huge amount of work. It requires a lot of experience, hard work, and studying to become a VTS. 

Giving you even more variety, the VTS specializing options are:Laboratory AnimalAnesthesia and Analgesia Behavior Clinical PathologyClinical Practice - Canine/FelineClinical Practice - Avian/ExoticClinical Practice - Production Animal  DentalDermatology Emergency and Critical CareEquineInternal Medicine - Small AnimalInternal Medicine - Large AnimalInternal Medicine - CardiologyInternal Medicine - OncologyInternal Medicine - Neurology NutritionOphthalmology SurgeryZoological Medicine 

VETERINARY ASSISTANT: “The veterinary assistant may have training through a high school, college certificate program or through a distant learning program over the Internet. Most, however, are trained on the job by the veterinarian or the veterinary technician. Their role is to assist the veterinarian or the veterinary technician in their daily tasks as well as some basic duties such as setting up of equipment and cleaning of key areas in the clinic like the surgery suite. Some may be asked to do kennel cleaning and janitorial work as well. NAVTA has recently created a Approved Veterinary Assistant program.”

——

In an attempt to clear up some of the CVT/LVT/RVT confusion, also from the NAVTA website:

CREDENTIALED: “The current terminology recognized by decree of both NAVTA and the AVMA is “Veterinary Technician”. Whether you are an LVT, RVT or CVT the term used is mandated by the technician’s state of residence. Here are some definitions to help understand why all three terms are in use.”

CERTIFIED: “Is the recognition by the private sector of voluntarily achieved standards. Certification is usually bestowed by a private sector, nonprofit, professional association or independent board upon those members who achieve specified standards. Certification is therefore distinguished from licensure because it is generally non-governmental and voluntary. Confusion can result when the title “certified” is used for a licensed profession, such as Certified Public Accountant. Many CVTs in the U.S. are recognized by government agencies, such as boards of veterinary medical examiners, which also adds to the confusion. States that currently certify veterinary technicians include Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.”

REGISTERED: “Refers to the keeping of lists of practitioners by a governmental agency. It can be equivalent to licensure but may also be distinguished from licensure in that criteria for registration may not exist, and registration may not be required for practice. States that currently register veterinary technicians include California, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

LICENSED: “Is understood as the permission to do something as given by an authority, with the implication that one would not be permitted to do this thing without permission. To be licensed is more than a statement of qualification, as certification is. It is a statement of qualification, and it is the right to do a thing otherwise not permitted by a given authority. Both certification and licensure, however, carry the connotation of trust, belief and confidence; for without these attributes, the certification or the license would have little worth. States that license veterinary technicians include Alaska, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.”

——

It’s actually very difficult to find Licensed Veterinary technicians, so a lot of practices use on-the-job training, and teach people (over the course of years) the different skills a veterinary technician needs. Again, the legality of this varies by state, but it is done VERY often. 

Legally, if licensure is required in these states, these employees are “assistants” and have a limit to what they should be doing. Some LVTs are insulted by these employees being called “technicians”, as the LVTs worked hard through their schooling and exams to earn that title. On the other side of the spectrum, some un-credentialed employees working as technicians will tell you that licensing means nothing - and that some of the most skilled technicians never went to school. 

I am not going to TOUCH this very controversial area - as I have seen both perspectives.

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Okay, anon. More from NAVTA:“Where are the programs for veterinary technicians/technologists?There are over 230 AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology Programs located around the United States. You can earn either an Associate Degree, which takes 2 years or a Bachelor’s Degree, which takes 4 years at the various community colleges, colleges and universities offering a veterinary technology program. There are a number of distance learning veterinary technology programs that are also AVMA accredited and can be accessed through the web. The cost varies from school to school. You should contact the school of your choice and they will be able to give you information regarding tuition, as well as financial aid.Where are the programs for veterinary assistants?Individuals interested in attending a NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant Program may review the current list of approved schools on NAVTAs AVA webpage. NAVTA currently approves 35 programs throughout the US and Canada with three online programs approved.”

Personally - I don’t see the point in a veterinary assistant program since most are inexperienced people who learn everything on the job. The veterinary assistant programs are very new. 

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NAVTA on not going to school:“In most states you can’t become credentialed without graduating from an accredited veterinary technology program. Very few states currently have an “alternate route” that allows people to sit for the exam, however there are a number of prerequisites that must be met before taking the exam. In 2000 there was a ruling by the Association of American Veterinary State Boards that within ten years they will no longer allow the National Veterinary Technician Exam to be used under these circumstances. If you are in a position to attend a veterinary technology program in your state it is well worth the effort. The amount of knowledge behind the skills you already know will astound you. If you cannot physically get to a program, there are five Distance Learning Programs that are currently accredited by the AVMA that can be taken via the Internet.”

Again, I have to recommend going to an actual school if at all possible. In my experience, online classes don’t give you the hands-on experience you need in this particular field. Being in a classroom and having labs will help immensely. (In addition to getting LOTS of experience in a hospital!)

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In regards to not having money for school - most people don’t! What kind of graduating high schooler has $50k/year for college? 

Are you SURE there’s no programs around you? Check out NAVTA’s website and see if you’re missing any. If not, you unfortunately may have to travel.

You can save money by commuting and driving to class every day, but if that’s not an option, you may just have to use a loan for dorming/renting an apartment for the 2-4 years you’re away at school. You will NOT be alone in doing that.

If your mom wants you to get your bachelor’s so badly - is she willing to help you at all with college costs? If she can’t/won’t, look into (both private and government) student loans. Most people get through college on student loans, and once you have a steady salary, you can worry about paying them back. 

If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even get some financial aid that you don’t have to pay back! In addition, you can try applying for scholarships. 

When you get a job, sometimes there is loan forgiveness. Not sure how this applies to veterinary technicians specifically, but if you work for a government job (public health, food animal production, military, etc.) or even a big corporation, sometimes they will offer to pay back your school loans if you commit to working for them for a certain amount of time. 

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You can definitely get your associates or bachelor’s degree while deciding what you want to do. If possible, I would aim for a program that has an Animal Science degree. You will have access to a lot more relevant classes and hands-on experience. For example, I was able to take classes like Comparative Mammalian Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Animal Reproduction, Companion Animal Science, etc. in addition to working with laboratory animals and farm animals over 4 years. That will probably be harder to find with a program for a degree in biology. Biology will be focusing a lot on humans, in addition to plants and the environment. 

However, if you definitely want to become a veterinary technician, I would just go straight to veterinary technician school. 

If you (or your mom) want you to have your bachelor’s degree - it sounds like a 4-year veterinary technologist program (as opposed to a 2-year veterinary technician program) would work for both purposes. You would have your bachelor’s degree, and you would have finished a program allowing you to take the VTNE exam. 

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Some Links:NAVTA (technicians/assistants)AVMA (veterinary)

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Good luck!

[traveller19]

Clinics Day 20

I just signed up for the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam.  HELP.

[australianveterinaryschools]

What is the NAVLE?

The veterinary medicine programs featured by OzTREKK are AVMA accredited, which means graduates of these programs are eligible to sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) along with graduates from AVMA accredited veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada.

After you’ve graduated from your AVMA-accredited veterinary program, you must register with the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB). The NEB reviews the credentials of graduates of non-Canadian colleges of veterinary medicine who wish to obtain a licence to practice veterinary medicine in Canada.

Write the NAVLE

The NAVLE is a requirement to enter into private veterinary medical practice in North America. The exam is offered throughout North America and certain overseas sites at computer testing centers operated by Prometric, and is available during a four-week testing window in November–December, and a two-week window in April.

You are strongly encouraged to wait until all clinical rotations have been completed before sitting the NAVLE. This usually means waiting until November – December as these are invaluable for providing the general clinical awareness and experience needed to pass the NAVLE.

Once you successfully complete the NAVLE, you will be granted a Certificate of Qualification (CQ). You must complete this exam within 2 attempts, otherwise an additional Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE) is required.

The examination consists of 360 multiple-choice questions, answered on computer at a private testing center. Sixty of the items are unscored pretest items, but the identity of these items is not apparent, and they are dispersed throughout the test. Approximately 15% – 20% of the items on the NAVLE include graphic or pictorial information relevant to the item (photograph, radiograph, drawing, chart, etc.).  The 360 questions are divided by activity (e.g., data gathering and interpretation; health maintenance and problem management) and species (small animal/large animal/equine plus a small amount of public health).

All NAVLE items are relevant to entry-level private clinical practice.

There is a total of 6.5 hours test time (6 blocks of 65 minutes each)

A total of 45 minutes of break time can be taken during the day (including lunch)

The pass mark is 70%

Because of this large number of questions and the time constraints, being successful requires a sensible exam strategy and familiarity with the format (lots of practice tests!)

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