How to become a RVT

RVT Admission Standards

The OAVT membership year runs June 1 to May 31. If you have graduated or will be graduating from an OAVT accredited program and plan to register for the Jul/Aug VTNE window, please submit your pending membership application in May or early June.

The by-law states that once you begin the registration process by becoming a “Pending” member – you have two renewal cycles to complete the steps of registration. By waiting until June 1 for your membership, you will have two full renewal periods to complete the registration process.

If you are currently in your final year of school and would like to register for a P&E workshop, you must be either a Student Member of the OAVT or a Pending Member. Please submit a membership application.

A person must obtain the following qualifications and fulfill the conditions in order to use the designation ‘Registered Veterinary Technician’ or the initials ‘RVT’.

Graduate from an OAVT accredited college program.

These colleges have gone through the OAVT College Accreditation Process and evaluation (provisional accreditation means that accreditation is temporary until all conditions of full accreditation have been met by the college).

For a list of OAVT accredited college programs, click here.

Be a Pending Member of the OAVT in good standing.

You must be a Pending member of the OAVT to write the VTNE (exam). To become a Pending member, you must be a graduate of an OAVT accredited college. (Go to www.oavt.org/apply to apply for a Pending membership.)

Criminal record check

To become a Registered Veterinary Technician you must produce evidence that you have not been convicted of a criminal offence. Please contact your local police station for information regarding the criminal record check. You DO NOT need the vulnerable sector check. Your criminal record check must be submitted with your member application. 

Note: Students are welcome to join as Student Members while they are completing their course requirements.

Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

To qualify for the VTNE you must be:

  • A graduate from an OAVT accredited college
  • A Pending Member in good standing of the OAVT

To register for the VTNE, go directly to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) website.

OAVT Professionalism & Ethics Workshop

The P&E is required for an individual to obtain their Registered status as outlined in By-Law #2 of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. This one-day workshop provides a remarkable opportunity to engage in an interactive learning environment alongside practicing and experienced RVTs. The outcome of the seminar will be to develop an understanding of the professionalism and ethics demanded in our highly specialized profession.

The P&E Workshop is held at various times throughout the year. Dates for upcoming P&E Workshops can be found on our P&E Workshop page.

Become a Member of the OAVT

Visit our Membership Benefits & Pricing page for more information. To apply for membership click here.

Please note: The OAVT membership year runs from June 1 to May 31. If you submit your application prior to May 1, you will be required to renew again on June 1. Please wait to submit your membership application in May. 

Graduated from a Distance Education Program Not Accredited by the OAVT?

If you graduated from a distance education program outside of Ontario you will need to:

  • Contact the local veterinary technician regulator where your school is located to inquire what their requirements are for access to the VTNE
  • If you complete all required steps with the local jurisdiction, you are eligible to “transfer” to the OAVT. A letter of good standing is required from the local jurisdiction to the OAVT.
    Note: If you only passed the VTNE, a letter of good standing is not needed.
  • Become a Pending Member of the OAVT. Submit your clear criminal record check with your application.
  • Take the Professionalism & Ethics Workshop (P&E Workshop)
  • Email a copy of your diploma and your official VTNE results to oavt@oavt.org

Internationally Trained?

If you completed a veterinary technology program outside Canada, you must obtain an assessment of your program from the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS). For more information on this process read our Internationally Trained page

How do I become an RVT

Whether you are an Ontario student or internationally trained graduate, learn about the five steps it takes to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Job Board

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RVT Registry

The official Registry of Ontario’s Registered Veterinary Technicians. All RVTs in good standing can be found in this searchable Registry.