Veterinary Technician Licensure
The MVMA Veterinary Technician Committee introduced legislation in Spring 2021 leading to licensure of Veterinary Technicians. The soonest legislation could be passed is during the 2024 Legislative session. Our process includes networking, education, and planning for implementation of the legislative action. The Committee thinks that the opportunity of licensing will lead to less career turnover, greater retention, and fewer shortages of veterinary technicians.
The legislation would require opening the Veterinary Practice Act. The MVMA Board of Directors and the MVMA’s Government Affairs Committee support opening the Veterinary Practice Act for Veterinary Technician licensure. The MVMA Veterinary Technician Committee is working with the Board of Veterinary Medicine on this initiative. If you have further questions or feedback, please contact Dr. Allen Balay at ([email protected]) or 320-905-6423) or Kim Horne, AAS, CVT, VTS (Dermatology) at ([email protected]) or 952-270-5439).
- View this important FAQ Document to help answer some basic questions and concerns
HF 1228-Veterinary technicians, practice of veterinary technology, and unlicensed veterinary employees regulated
Introduced on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023, by Rep. John Huot-click here for more information
SF 1522-Veterinary technicians, the practice of veterinary technology and unlicensed veterinary employees regulation
Introduced on Thursday, February 9th, 2023, by Senator Robert Kupec-click here for more information
LVT Statute Highlights and Proposed Changes
Supporting Documents
1) Article's from the "Getting to the Bottom of the Veterinary Technician Shortage in Minnesota" series:
○ First article
○ Second article
○ Third article
○ Fourth article
○ Fifth article
○ Sixth article
○ Seventh article
○ Eighth article
○ Ninth article
○ Tenth article
○ Eleventh article
○ Twelfth article
○ Thirteenth article
○ Fourteenth article
○ Fifteenth article
○ Sixteenth article
○ Seventeenth article
○ Eighteenth article
○ Nineteenth article
○ Twentieth article
○ Twenty-first article
○ Twenty-second article
2) How Credentialed Veterinary Technicians Impact Public Safety
3) Board of Animal Health Reportable Diseases
4) Licensure in Veterinary Medicine: How it Protects the Public and our Animals
5) Points of Why Regulatory Credentialing for Veterinary Technicians
6) JAVMA 9/15/2021 Article: Are We in a Veterinary Workforce Crisis?
7) Veterinary Technician Enhancement Act Infographic (this version intended for the legislative community)
8) Veterinary Technician Enhancement Act Infographic (this version intended for veterinary community)
Letters of Support
MVMA/MAVT Goal in 2021-2022: Veterinary Technician Licensure
Bill Title: Veterinary Technician Workforce Enhancement Act
Preamble: Veterinary technicians are vital members of the veterinary health care team and work alongside veterinarians to care for the health, safety and welfare of animals and improve public health. All states in the U.S. have regulatory boards to manage the licensure of veterinarians and a large majority of states also require licensure for veterinary technicians. This licensure is critical to ensure professional accountability and prevent unqualified individuals from potentially harming animal health and failing to protect the public. Over time, members of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) have experienced dwindling numbers in the veterinary technician profession. We believe through an improved understanding and definition of their role as veterinary team members, that mandatory credentialing will contribute to the advancement of the practice of veterinary medicine as well as enhance patient care and public safety.
Key Components of the Bill:
- Certified veterinary technicians currently in good standing with the MVMA are immediately eligible for licensure.
- Non-certified veterinary technicians would be eligible to apply if they are currently practicing, performed 4160 hours of experience (within the previous 5 years), and have a letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinarian stating their competency.
- With regulated credentialing, Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) will aid in the purpose to protect the health and safety of the public and animal patients in the state of Minnesota.
- Properly trained veterinary team members impact many areas including: infectious diseases; zoonotic diseases; ensuring food and feed safety; animal control and injury protection.
- Properly trained veterinary team members ensure functional health in companion animals, service and working animals, as well as livestock and research animals.
- Upon licensure the role of veterinary technicians in patient care will be better defined while remaining under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
- LVTs and other veterinary team members cannot perform services which are exclusive to licensure responsibilities of the veterinarian (surgery, diagnose/prognose, or prescribe drugs).
- Veterinary team members not eligible for licensure or choosing not to be licensed will be called veterinary assistants.
- Licensure also ensures veterinary technicians are familiar with and understand the state’s laws and regulations governing their profession.
- MN Board of Veterinary Medicine shall oversee and establish licensure requirements.
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