The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) is used to evaluate whether prospective veterinary technicians have the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level practice. This guide covers the current exam format, content areas, eligibility, registration, scoring, and study resources to help you prepare.
Full Name Veterinary Technician National Examination | Purpose Veterinary technician credentialing |
Format 170 multiple-choice questions | Test Length 3 hours |
Exam Background and Purpose
The VTNE is owned and administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). It is designed to measure the knowledge and skills expected of an entry-level veterinary technician.
Most U.S. states and Canadian provinces require a passing VTNE score as part of the process of becoming credentialed. However, the AAVSB does not issue veterinary technician licenses, certifications, or registrations. Those credentials are issued by the individual state or provincial regulatory agency.
Key point: Passing the VTNE is an important part of becoming a credentialed veterinary technician, but passing the exam by itself does not automatically give you a license, certification, or registration.
VTNE Exam Overview
The VTNE is a computer-based examination. Of the 170 questions, 150 count toward your final score. The other 20 are unscored pilot questions used to evaluate items for possible use on future exams.
You will not be told which questions are pilot questions, so you should answer every question as though it will count toward your score.
What Is on the VTNE?
The 150 scored questions are divided among 10 content domains. Animal Care and Nursing is the largest single domain, while Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Surgical Nursing, and Anesthesia also account for substantial portions of the exam.
| Content Domain | Questions / Weight |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 20 / 13% |
| Surgical Nursing | 20 / 13% |
| Dentistry | 10 / 7% |
| Laboratory Procedures | 14 / 9% |
| Animal Care and Nursing | 30 / 20% |
| Diagnostic Imaging | 9 / 6% |
| Anesthesia | 20 / 13% |
| Emergency Medicine/Critical Care | 10 / 7% |
| Pain Management/Analgesia | 10 / 7% |
| Communication and Veterinary Professional Support Services | 7 / 5% |
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
This domain covers medication preparation and administration, dosage calculations, fluid therapy, drug classifications and effects, controlled substances, and the safe handling and disposal of medications and biological agents.
Surgical Nursing
Questions cover areas such as patient preparation, surgical instruments and supplies, aseptic technique, maintaining the surgical environment, and assisting the veterinary team during procedures.
Dentistry
This area includes dental anatomy and disease, oral examinations, charting, cleaning procedures, dental imaging, instruments, equipment, and client education.
Laboratory Procedures
Expect questions related to collecting, preparing, and evaluating specimens as well as hematology, urinalysis, parasitology, microbiology, cytology, laboratory equipment, and quality control.
Animal Care and Nursing
This is the largest domain on the exam. Topics include patient assessment and monitoring, restraint, nutrition, catheterization, wound care, medication administration, specimen collection, hospitalized-patient care, rehabilitation, behavior, and other veterinary nursing procedures.
Diagnostic Imaging
This domain includes radiographic positioning, imaging techniques, equipment, image quality, and radiation safety.
Anesthesia
Questions cover patient preparation, anesthetic medications, airway management, monitoring, equipment, recovery, and recognizing and responding to anesthetic complications.
Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
This section includes triage, shock, trauma, toxicity, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency procedures, and monitoring critically ill patients.
Pain Management/Analgesia
This domain covers recognizing and assessing pain, pain-management techniques, analgesic medications, monitoring a patient’s response, and client education.
Communication and Veterinary Professional Support Services
This area evaluates professional communication, gathering patient histories, client education, communication within the veterinary team, and professional support during patient care.
VTNE Eligibility
Eligibility requirements depend on the state or province in which you intend to become credentialed. The AAVSB currently recognizes three VTNE eligibility pathways:
Accredited Program Graduate: This pathway is for graduates of AVMA-CVTEA- or CVMA-accredited veterinary technology programs and is the pathway required by most jurisdictions.
On-the-Job Training: Some jurisdictions allow candidates to qualify through documented veterinary work experience.
Alternate Pathway: Certain jurisdictions have alternate education and/or work-experience requirements for candidates who did not graduate from an accredited program.
Important: On-the-job and alternate pathways are not accepted by every jurisdiction and may limit your ability to transfer credentials later. Check the requirements of the state or province where you plan to practice before applying.
Registration and Cost
You apply for the VTNE through the AAVSB. The current application fee is $375, and the fee is nonrefundable.
During the application process, the AAVSB verifies that you meet the eligibility requirements for your selected jurisdiction. Your exact documentation requirements depend on your eligibility pathway.
Your first and last name on your application must match the name shown on the valid government-issued photo identification you will use for the exam.
VTNE Testing Windows
The VTNE is offered during four testing windows throughout the year.
| Testing Window | Completed Application Cutoff |
|---|---|
| February 15 – April 15 | March 15 |
| May 15 – July 15 | June 15 |
| August 15 – October 15 | September 15 |
| November 15 – January 15 | December 15 |
You must take the exam during the testing window for which you applied. Candidates can transfer to the next testing window one time for a $90 fee when the request is made within the required time frame.
Where Do You Take the VTNE?
After your application is approved, you will schedule your examination through PSI.
You can take the VTNE in one of two ways:
In person: At an available PSI Test Center in the United States or Canada.
Live remote proctoring: From home or another approved private location if your computer and testing environment meet PSI’s requirements.
The examination is available in English and French.
What to Know Before Test Day
Make sure the name on your identification matches the name on your VTNE application.
Review your PSI confirmation information before your appointment.
If testing remotely, complete the required computer and testing-environment checks in advance.
Treat every question as scored because the 20 pilot questions are not identified.
How Is the VTNE Scored?
Your score is based on the 150 scored questions. VTNE results are converted to a scaled score ranging from 200 to 800, and the passing scaled score is 425.
A scaled score is not the same as a percentage of questions answered correctly. Scaling is used to maintain the same performance standard across different versions of the examination.
Your personal score report is made available through your MyAAVSB Portal within three days of taking the exam. The AAVSB and PSI also send your official score to the jurisdiction you selected during the application process.
Can You Retake the VTNE?
Yes. If you do not pass, you may submit another application and pay the full application fee to take the VTNE again.
You can take the VTNE only once within a 30-day period, meaning another attempt may be possible beginning 31 days after your previous exam.
The AAVSB allows candidates to take the VTNE up to five times before additional approval is required. Some states and provinces have stricter retake limits, so the rules of your credentialing jurisdiction also apply.
How Can I Prepare for the VTNE?
Start by becoming familiar with the 10 VTNE content domains and how heavily each area is represented on the test. Because Animal Care and Nursing accounts for 20% of the scored questions, it deserves significant attention, but you should also spend plenty of time on Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Surgical Nursing, and Anesthesia.
Use practice questions throughout your preparation instead of saving them until the end. When you miss a question, determine whether the problem was a knowledge gap, a calculation error, or a misunderstanding of what the question was asking.
VTNE Study Checklist
Review all 10 VTNE content domains.
Spend extra study time on the highest-weighted domains.
Practice medication, dosage, fluid-rate, and other veterinary calculations.
Use realistic practice questions to identify weak areas.
Review the explanations for questions you answer incorrectly.
Complete timed practice so you are comfortable answering 170 questions within three hours.
VTNE Study Resources
These resources can help you review the material covered on the exam and practice before test day.
VTNE® is a registered trademark of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). AAVSB is not affiliated with StudyGuideZone or Mometrix Test Preparation and does not endorse these products or services.
