Illinois State VMA celebrates profession title protection law

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently signed House Bill 3360, which increases occupational title protection for certified veterinary technicians (CVT). The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association was a major supporter of this legislation and lobbied for its passage into law to better protect the titles of CVTs because of the vital role they serve in veterinary clinics and hospitals across the state. CVTs are college-educated as well as professionally trained professionals who communicate and work alongside clients and veterinary professionals.

AnnaStills/stock.adobe.com

“This clarification will provide clear criteria in defining the CVT title, ensuring it is exclusively granted to individuals who have graduated from a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s [AVMA] Committee on Veterinary Technical Education. Also, it codifies that these individuals have passed their Veterinary Technical National Exam, earning their CVT license,” Matt Bussan, DVM, said in a news release.¹

CVTs, like veterinarians, are licensed by Illinois to practice veterinary medicine, which is outlined by their degree in veterinary science and training. Under House Bill 3360, only professionals who have become legally credentialed as CVTs may use the titles veterinary technician, vet tech, and the abbreviation VT, and technician (in a veterinary medicine context). Requirements for these tiles include²:

• Graduating from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program
• Passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam
• Being a health care professional licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
• Completing required continuing education to maintain licensure
• Adhering to supervision guidelines and tasks in the Veterinary Practice Act.

In information provided to the public by the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the association emphasized that noncertified professionals play a crucial role throughout veterinary medicine, but title protection will help support the integrity of the profession and career advancement for the credentialed members of the team.

“Title protection is a significant step forward for professionally licensed CVTs in Illinois,” Tracy Porter, CVT, of Chicago, Illinois, said.¹ “This law not only reinforces the integrity of the veterinary profession but also improves access to high-quality care for both pets and their people. It creates a meaningful incentive for CVT students, credentialed technicians, and other vital members of the veterinary team to deepen their knowledge and skills, ultimately raising the standard of care and advancing the profession as a whole.”

The bill was officially signed into law on August 18, 2025, and will be effective January 1, 2026.³

Other veterinary technician legislation

On May 19, 2024, Minnesota technicians were included in the state's Veterinary Practice Act, which was signed by Governor Tim Walz. It established a legal definition for veterinary technicians, giving them recognition as trained and qualified veterinary team members.

“We are excited to begin licensing veterinary technicians in 2026. We feel strongly that this will elevate and sustain the profession for years to come, helping to alleviate the current veterinary technician shortage,” said Leslie Kollmann, BS, AAS, CVT, CIC, president of the MAVT; Kim Horne, AAS, CVT, VTS, MAVT charter member and chair of credentials committee; and Sam Geiling, CVT, MAVT, interim treasurer, National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America government relations cochair, at the time.⁴

Under this bill, LVTs are regulated by the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine (MBVM), and the board has the power to institute licensure and related practice requirements for LVTs. MBVM also took 12 to 18 months to write the rules, which will go into effect July 1, 2026.⁴

References

1. ISVMA celebrates veterinary profession title protection law. News release. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://navta.net/news/isvma-celebrates-veterinary-profession-title-protection-law/
2. What's in a name, and why it matters. The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. 2025. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.isvma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ISVMA-Title-Infographic-7.25-10.pdf
3. Illinois General Assembly. HB3360. Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. August 15, 2025. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?GAID=18&DocNum=3360&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=161891&SessionID=114
4. Bautista-Alejandre A. New legislation grants Minnesota veterinary technicians the opportunity to be licensed. dvm360. June 20, 2024. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-legislation-grants-minnesota-veterinary-technicians-the-opportunity-to-be-licensed