Find the steps to move forward with this pathway below. This pathway expires 12/31/2027. Please note, credential applications need to be submitted at least 3 weeks before the VTNE application submission deadline to allow adequate time for work experience verification form approval and confirmation of VTNE eligibility.
Additionally, Pathway 1 applicants must pass the VTNE before CACVT can approve the final credential. If approved to schedule the VTNE, applicants must pass within 18 months from the application date or by December 31, 2027, whichever comes first.
Refer to the Work Experience Verification Form (WEVF) for detailed instructions.
Key details
The following items are required to move forward and are included in the application:
Once the Work Experience Verification Form (WEVF) is reviewed and approved, a confirmation email will be sent with next steps, including instructions on scheduling the VTNE and registering with DORA. If the VTNE has already been passed at the time of application submission, refer to Step 3 to ensure VTNE score verification is in process.
Option 1: First-time VTNE takers
The confirmation email from Step 2 will include instructions on scheduling the VTNE.
Option 2: VTNE already passed
VTNE scores for tests taken in Colorado from 1/1/2009 to the present are reported directly to CACVT by AAVSB. No action is needed.
VTNE scores for tests taken outside of Colorado or before 12/31/2008 will need to be sent to CACVT via an online AAVSB Basic VAULT transfer, choosing Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine as the jurisdiction
Use the below reference links, as needed:
Work Experience Verification Form Request a VTNE score report be sent to the CACVT VTNE Scheduling
This pathway expires 12/31/2027.
Refer to the Work Experience Verification Form for detailed instructions.
Key details
The following items are required to move forward and are included in the application:
Once the Work Experience Verification Form and application is reviewed and approved, an official confirmation email will be sent with next steps, including instructions on registering with DORA.
Use the below reference links, as needed:
Yes – As of 1/1/2024, you must hold an active, non-expired Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) registration from DORA to apply for CACVT Credential by Experience Post-Provisional Registration.
If your PVT is expired or inactive, you must reinstate or reactivate your PVT through DORA before applying. CACVT cannot move forward with a Credential by Experience application if your PVT is expired or inactive.
If you did not obtain a PVT from DORA before the pathway closed on December 31, 2023, you are not eligible to apply for CACVT credentialing or VTNE testing through an experience-based pathway. Applications for PVT are no longer available.
At this time, you would need to graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and pass the VTNE to become eligible for CACVT credentialing through Credential by Examination.
If you originally applied under Pathway 1 and later obtain the hours required for Pathway 2, you will need to submit a new Credential by Experience application under Pathway 2.
The new application must include all required supporting Work Experience Verification Forms and documentation for review, even if those documents were previously submitted with your Pathway 1 application.
No. Applicants should not submit until the required hours and skills for the selected pathway are complete and documented.
Applications for Pathway 1 can be submitted for WEVF review once an individual’s hours and skills requirements have been met.
Once the WEVFs have been reviewed and approved, an eligibility form will be emailed to the applicant to be able to move forward with taking the VTNE.
Individuals seeking to take the VTNE through Colorado’s experience-based or on-the-job training pathway must hold an active PVT from DORA and have an approved Pathway 1 Work Experience Verification Form (WEVF) application through CACVT.
If your Pathway 1 WEVF application is approved, your VTNE eligibility document will be included in your WEVF approval email.
If you do not hold an active PVT and do not have the required skills and hours to complete the Pathway 1 WEVF review, you are not eligible to take the VTNE in Colorado through the experience-based pathway.
Individuals approved through an experience-based pathway have up to 18 months from the date of their approved Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 application, or until December 31, 2027, whichever comes first, to take and pass the VTNE.
Please review your application approval email for the specific deadline that applies to your application.
If you are outside the 18-month window from your original application date, or if it is after December 31, 2027, you are not eligible to take the VTNE in Colorado through the experience-based pathway. At that point, you would need to graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program before becoming eligible to sit for the VTNE.
The VTNE is offered during four testing windows each year. Please review AAVSB’s website or contact AAVSB directly for current VTNE testing window information.
Individuals using Colorado’s experience-based pathway may retake the VTNE for up to three total attempts within the applicable 18-month eligibility window tied to their Credential by Experience application.
Please email information@cacvt.org with questions about completing the Work Experience Verification Form prior to completing your application, if possible.
Our goal is to help applicants and signing veterinarians complete the form correctly the first time so the review process can move forward as smoothly as possible.
Pay stubs are not required with your initial Credential by Experience application. However, supporting documentation may be requested by CACVT, DORA, or the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine at any time.
We recommend keeping pay stubs and other employment records in your personal files in case documentation is requested later.
Yes. We recommend keeping all credential-related documentation in your own records, including Work Experience Verification Forms, pay stubs, employment records, and application approval emails.
These records may be needed later if requested by CACVT, DORA, or the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
If you cannot find an email from CACVT in your inbox, you may be able to view past CACVT emails through your User Portal.
To view past CACVT emails, log in to your CACVT account, select Access Profile Information, select Email History from the light blue menu, and open the individual email you need to review.
If you are having trouble receiving CACVT emails, please review our Not Receiving Emails page for troubleshooting steps.
Each state has its own requirements for veterinary technician credentialing and credential transfer. Whether a CACVT Credential by Experience is accepted depends on the requirements of the state where you are seeking credentialing.
Many states require a passing VTNE score and graduation from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. You will need to contact the receiving state’s licensing board or credentialing organization directly to ask about its policies for experience-based credential transfer.
Work Experience Verification Forms must accurately reflect the applicant’s qualifying work experience, skills, and hours. Applicants and signing veterinarians should only verify information they can support with accurate records or direct knowledge.
False, inaccurate, misleading, or unverifiable information may delay review, result in denial, be subject to action under CACVT credentialing policies, or be reviewed by the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine for possible disciplinary action.
Please make sure all submitted information is accurate, complete, and supportable before signing or submitting a WEVF.
No – Individuals seeking a CACVT credential do not need to also be a member of CACVT’s professional association. This is an optional add-on that you may choose to pursue.
CACVT serves Colorado’s veterinary technician community in both roles: as the credentialing organization (credential verification and maintenance) and as the professional association (member support and professional development).
A CACVT credential is the required credentialing step for veterinary technicians in Colorado. CACVT verifies that an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for their pathway and confirms eligibility to register with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
A membership with CACVT’s professional association is optional and is separate from credentialing. Membership is not required to apply for or maintain a CACVT credential, but it provides access to professional association benefits, community resources, and programming.
Click Here to see more about optional membership with CACVT’s Professional Association
