Veterinary Technician Certification Application Details

This application is for those who wish to become a licensed Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the state of Maryland.

There are two ways to become licensed as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in Maryland. The first is to graduate from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program. The second is to acquire significant education and experience.  

For graduates of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program. 

The following items are required to apply for licensure in Maryland.

Test Scores: To apply for licensure, you must first take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). For information on applying to take the VTNE, visit: www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at (816) 931-1504. The VTNE is offered during three testing windows at five locations in Maryland and two in Washington D.C.

1. If you have already taken and passed the VTNE and you sat for this exam in Maryland, your scores will be transferred to us automatically. 

2. If you have already taken and passed the VTNE but did not sit for the exam in Maryland, you are responsible for having your score transferred to us by the Veterinary Technician Information Verifying Agency (TIVA), which is affiliated with the AAVSB. 

Transcripts: Provide the State Board with a final transcript from your AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.  This document should be sent directly from the college to the Board office. If you are supplying us with this document, it must be submitted in an envelope with an unbroken seal from the college, or emailed from the institution to MDA.VeterinaryBoard@maryland.gov. 

Photograph: One headshot, about 2" x 3", taken within the past 6 months, must be uploaded.

Letters of Good Standing, if applicable: These letters may be emailed from an official state office to MDA.VeterinaryBoard@maryland.gov (We are able to do license look-ups for some states that meet minimum requirements on their websites. Please email to inquire if your other license may be researched this way.).

Documentation if you have any pending or past disciplinary action with another state Board or if you have any criminal convictions (other than minor traffic violations), you must provide all related documentation..

Applicants who are not a graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program.  

If you have not graduated from an accredited Vet Tech Program but want to be licensed as an RVT, all items below must be submitted before you can sit for the VTNE. 

Apply here to take the VTNE

Test Scores: After the State Board has received and reviewed all the required documentation (above), a determination will be made as to your eligibility to sit the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). If you are approved, you will be notified by the state Board. You will then have to make arrangement to take the exam. For information, see: www.aavsb.org/VTNE or call the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at (816) 931-1504.

For a PDF version of this information.