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Pending Legislation for Licensure of Veterinary Technicians:

Legislative Update

It is a new legislative cycle on Beacon Hill and the MVTA’s bill to mandate licensure of veterinary technicians has been filed. For this session, we have filed in both the Senate and the House so there is a better chance of continued forward motion from at least one chamber. In the Senate, the bill is SD900 and is being sponsored by Senator James Welch who represents parts of Springfield and surrounding areas. In the House of Representatives, the bill is HD2740 and is being sponsored by Daniel Hunt who represents areas including parts of Boston and Quincy. If either of these legislators is your representative at the State House, we encourage you to send them a short thank you for sponsoring our bill. To find contact information or more information about their districts, etc. or if you want to find the language of the bill you can use the following links:

Senator Welch: https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JTW0/Bills

Representative Hunt: https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/djh1

This year is only a one-year cycle so it will be tight and tough to get our bill all the way through the process in that short time. We will be working hard to beat the odds but look at this session as a time to continue to educate legislators about the bill and the role of the veterinary technician in practice, so we have a good base for the next 2-year cycle.

Things are just getting rolling so there is not much to report yet, but we will keep you posted through our newsletter and via our Facebook page as we have info to share. We will need our members’ help so be on the lookout for opportunities to make your voice heard.

If you have any questions please contact Erin Spencer, the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee chair at [email protected]. 

 

Bullet points for contacting your legislators
Lobbying tips

 How will this legislation affect you?


Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs) in good standing with the MVTA will be license eligible.

Graduates of AVMA accredited programs who have passed the VTNE will be license eligible.

Graduates of AVMA accredited programs who have not yet taken or have not yet passed the VTNE may sit for the VTNE in MA to become license eligible.

If you are a licensed veterinary technician from another state and meet or exceed MA state requirements, reciprocity will be granted.

If you are on-the-job-trained or have a degree in another related field and meet certain requirements, there is a provision in the legislation to allow you to sit for the VTNE for a limited time and become license eligible.

What are my options for obtaining a degree?

AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Programs in Massachusetts

  • Becker College, Leicester, MA (877) 5 Becker
  • Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA (413) 538-7000
  • Mount Ida College, Newton, MA (617)928-4500
  • North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA (978) 762-4000
  • The Veterinary Technology Program at Massasoit has been designed following the accreditation guidelines of the AVMA. At the current time, the program it is not yet accredited, however, the AVMA has accepted Massasoit’s Veterinary Technology Program application for accreditation and will be performing an accreditation Site Visit in February 2017.
  • Massasoit Community College, MA, 508-588-9100 X-2380

There are also several distance learning programs available. See the AVMA website for additional information

Managing the cost or time for school:

At least one of the distance learning programs costs less than $900 for the first semester.  All the MA programs welcome part-time students.

What resources are available to study for the VTNE?

Study guides are available for purchase online.

Online review courses are available at VSPN, VetMedTeam,and  VetTechPrep

As a practice owner or manager, how can I help my employees?

Don't wait!  Take advantage of all the opportunities available now.

  • Offer full or partial tuition reimbursement.
  • Encourage eligible technicians to prepare for and take the VTNE, even if they have to travel to another state.
  • Promote licensure and continuing education.
  • Reimburse membership in professional organizations.
  • Offer CE.reimbursement