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Exam Overview
Theveterinarytechniciannationalexamination(Vtne)
The VTNE is owned and administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). It evaluates the competency of entry-level veterinary technicians, and most states and provinces require a passing score before they will credential a veterinary technician. The AAVSB does not issue the credential itself: it delivers the exam and sends scores to the regulatory boards, which grant the license, registration, or certification under their own rules.
Exam Pattern
The exam contains 170 multiple-choice questions: 150 operational (scored) items and 20 pilot items being tried out for future forms. Pilot items are mixed in with the scored items and are not identified, so every question deserves your best effort. Each question has four options and one correct or best answer, and there is no penalty for guessing. You have 3 hours (180 minutes), a little over one minute per question. The clock keeps running during any break you take.
| Domain | ScoredItems | WhatItCovers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 PharmacyandPharmacology . | 20(13%) | Drugclassesandsideeffects preparinganddispensing , |
| medications dosage fluidandCRIcalculations controlled , , , | ||
| druglogs storageanddisposal , | ||
| 2 SurgicalNursing . | 20(13%) | Preparingthesuite patient andinstruments;sterileand , , |
| circulatingroles;asepsis;cleaningandsterilization | ||
| 3 Dentistry . | 10(7%) | Dentalenvironmentandinstruments comprehensiveoral , |
| healthassessmentandtreatment(COHAT) dentalradiographs , | ||
| 4 LaboratoryProcedures . | 14(9%) | Preparingspecimens;hematology urinalysis parasitology , , , |
| cytology microbiology andserology;equipmentandquality , , | ||
| control | ||
| 5 AnimalCareandNursing . | 30(20%) | Patientevaluation nursingprocedures clinicaldiagnostic , , |
| procedures medicationadministration specimencollection , , , | ||
| behavior andrestraint , | ||
| 6 DiagnosticImaging . | 9(6%) | Producingdiagnosticimagessafelyandmaintainingimaging |
| equipment | ||
| 7 Anesthesia . | 20(13%) | Anestheticplanning equipmentpreparationandmaintenance , , |
| intubation andmonitoringbefore during andafteranesthesia , , , | ||
| 8 EmergencyMedicine/CriticalCare . | 10(7%) | Triage emergencyproceduressuchasCPRandhemorrhage , |
| control andcriticalcaresuchastransfusion fluid , , | ||
| resuscitation andoxygentherapy , |
| Domain | ScoredItems | WhatItCovers |
|---|---|---|
| 9 PainManagement/Analgesia . | 10(7%) | Recognizingtheneedforanalgesiaandhelpingcarryoutthe |
| painmanagementplan | ||
| 10 CommunicationandVeterinary . | 7(5%) | Clienteducation professionalcommunication collecting , , |
| ProfessionalSupportServices | patientinformation andassistingwitheuthanasia , |
Every domain begins with the same task statement: apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Expect body-system knowledge inside pharmacology, anesthesia, imaging, and nursing questions rather than in a separate anatomy domain. Section 11 of this guide reviews it.
Eligibility and Applying
Candidates apply directly to the AAVSB through a MyAAVSB account, and the name on the application must match the government-issued photo ID used on test day. Students in an accredited program may test during their final semester once their school approves them. Jurisdictions set their own additional licensing requirements, so check your state or provincial board as well.
| Pathway | WhoItCovers |
|---|---|
| Accreditedprogram | Graduates and approved final -semester students of an AVMA CVTEA or CVMA accredited |
| veterinarytechnologyprogram;acceptedinalljurisdictions | |
| Alternatepathway | Graduates of non-accredited programs where the jurisdiction allows it; the AAVSB reviews |
| eligibilityagainstthatjurisdiction'srules | |
| On-the-job training | Acceptedonlyinthefewjurisdictionsthatallowit undertheirspecificexperiencerequirements , |
Scoring
The VTNE is reported as a scaled score from 200 to 800, and 425 is the passing score. Scaling makes results comparable across exam forms of slightly different difficulty, so there is no fixed percentage to aim for, and only the 150 scored items count. A pass or fail result appears on screen when you finish, the full score report is posted to your MyAAVSB portal within about three business days, and official scores go to the jurisdiction you select. The report shows performance by domain, which is useful for planning a retake.
Exam at a Glance
| ExamAspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner | AmericanAssociationofVeterinaryStateBoards(AAVSB) |
| Questions | 170 four-option multiple-choice questions: 150 scored and 20 unscored pilot items |
| Time | 3hours afterabriefuntimedtutorial;breaksareallowedbuttheclockkeepsrunning , |
| Testingoptions | PSItestcentersorliveremoteproctoring(online) |
| Testingwindows | Four windows a year: February 15–April 15 May 15–July 15 August 15–October 15 and November 15– , , , |
| January15;applybeforethedeadlineforyourwindow | |
| Fee | $375 application fee (nonrefundable); a one-time transfer to the next window is $90 |
| Calculator | An on-screen calculator is provided; personal calculators are not allowed without an approved |
| accommodation | |
| Identification | One unexpired government-issued photo ID with signature , |
| Arrival | Arriveorlogin30minutesearly;arriving15ormoreminuteslateforfeitstheappointment |
| Scoring | Scaledscore200–800;425passes |
| Retakes | Atleast31daysbetweenattemptsandupto5attemptsintotal;somejurisdictionssetlowerlimitsor |
| requireboardapprovalafter3attempts | |
| Accommodations | AvailableundertheADAandtheCanadianHumanRightsAct;requestthemwhenyouapply |
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