CVMB, CVMA debate new technician requirements

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — California officials are at an impasse over how much education should be required to take the registered veterinary technician exam.

While the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) recently backed a state amendment to allow RVT exam applicants to take the test based on a combination of clinical experience and specific education courses in lieu of a two-year training program, it doesn't support the California Veterinary Medical Board's (CVMB) proposed requirement of only 24 hours of specific education coursework. Though the 24 hours of education would be in addition to a required five years of clinical experience, the CVMA compares the new requirement and standard two-year RVT programs, which includes 300 to 700 hours of education, according to the CVMA.

The certification of an exam candidate by a licensed veterinarian, not the hours of specific education, is what the board primarily relies on to determine eligibility to take the test, says the CVMB, adding its legal counsel agrees the 24-hour specific education requirement is sufficient.

The CVMB requires certain areas of study be covered during the 24 specific education hours, including anesthetic instrumentation, radiology, emergency care and zoonotic diseases.