Veterinary Technician Licensure

Passage of the Veterinary Technician Licensure bill in spring 2024 means that veterinary technicians will soon be included in Minnesota’s Veterinary Practice Act and beginning July 1, 2026, Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) will be regulated by the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine (BVM).

On this page, you’ll find:

• Frequently Asked Questions (updated 12/20/24)
• A webinar recording (presented 11/20/24 and available through 1/31/24) with introductory information
• Information about learning more at our 2025 Annual Conference
• Bill language
• History and background on MVMA’s advocacy work with the licensure bill

For more than forty years, MVMA has offered a voluntary certification program for veterinary technicians. However, there was no legal definition of the title in Minnesota, so anyone could call themselves a veterinary technician. Currently, veterinary technicians can only work under direct supervision (within visual or audible range) of a veterinarian, who assumes all responsibility for an employee’s professional performance. With licensure, the scope of practice will be expanded to allow remote supervision of LVTs and for LVTs to provide direct supervision of unlicensed staff members. This scope of practice will still be under the direction and delegation of tasks from a licensed veterinarian.

We've compiled answers to what we know as of November 2024 below, but please note that the rule writing process is still in early stages. The legislation authorizes the BVM to establish licensure and related practice requirements for LVTs. The process will take 12 to 18 months and the rules will become effective July 1, 2026. Drs. Ann Brownlee and Al Balay representing MVMA, along with Kim Horne, CVT, and Sam Geiling, CVT, representing MAVT, are working with and supporting the Board of Veterinary Medicine on a task force during the rule making process. 

Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 11/27/24)

Veterinary Technician Licensure: What We Know So Far (PDF)

Recording of webinar

Watch the recording of the 11/20/24 LVT webinar here.

Recording Disclaimer: This information is current as of 11/20/24. Watch and listen to the recording for important information.
This recording will be available to view until January 31, 2025.

Opportunities to learn more at 2025 annual conference

Our 2025 Annual Conference (Jan. 29–Feb. 1, 2025) will offer multiple opportunities to learn more about veterinary technician licensure, including Thursday's Just in Time Lunch panel discussion, sessions on Friday and Saturday afternoons, and "office hours" with MVMA representatives who are part of the task force working with the Board of Veterinary Medicine on rulemaking.

LVT Sessions at 2025 Annual Conference

Annual Conference website (details and registration)

Bill Language & Additional Resources

Final Bill Language (PDF)

Final Bill Language (article 20, starts on page 323; enter 323.7 in the Jump to Page/Line number and hit enter in the search bar).

AVMA News (5/30/24): Minnesota creates title protection, licensure pathway for veterinary technicians

If you have further questions or feedback, please contact Dr. Allen Balay at ([email protected]) or 320-905-6423) or Kim Horne, AAS, CVT, VTS (Dermatology) at ([email protected]) or 952-270-5439). 

HF 1228-Veterinary technicians, practice of veterinary technology, and unlicensed veterinary employees regulated

Introduced on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023, by Rep. John Huot-click here for more information

SF 1522-Veterinary technicians, the practice of veterinary technology and unlicensed veterinary employees regulation

Introduced on Thursday, February 9th, 2023, by Senator Robert Kupec-click here for more information

LVT Statute Highlights and Proposed Changes

Supporting Documents

1) Article's from the "Getting to the Bottom of the Veterinary Technician Shortage in Minnesota":

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2) How Credentialed Veterinary Technicians Impact Public Safety

3) Board of Animal Health Reportable Diseases

4) Licensure in Veterinary Medicine: How it Protects the Public and our Animals

5) Points of Why Regulatory Credentialing for Veterinary Technicians

6) JAVMA 9/15/2021 Article: Are We in a Veterinary Workforce Crisis?

7) Veterinary Technician Enhancement Act Infographic (this version intended for the legislative community)

8) Veterinary Technician Enhancement Act Infographic (this version intended for veterinary community)

Letters of Support

AVMA letter of support for Vet Tech Licensure
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America letter of support
American Association of Veterinary State Boards

MVMA/MAVT Goal in 2021-2022: Veterinary Technician Licensure

Bill Title: Veterinary Technician Workforce Enhancement Act

Preamble: Veterinary technicians are vital members of the veterinary health care team and work alongside veterinarians to care for the health, safety and welfare of animals and improve public health. All states in the U.S. have regulatory boards to manage the licensure of veterinarians and a large majority of states also require licensure for veterinary technicians. This licensure is critical to ensure professional accountability and prevent unqualified individuals from potentially harming animal health and failing to protect the public. Over time, members of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) have experienced dwindling numbers in the veterinary technician profession. We believe through an improved understanding and definition of their role as veterinary team members, that mandatory credentialing will contribute to the advancement of the practice of veterinary medicine as well as enhance patient care and public safety.

Key Components of the Bill:

• Certified veterinary technicians currently in good standing with the MVMA are immediately eligible for licensure.
• Non-certified veterinary technicians would be eligible to apply if they are currently practicing, performed 4160 hours of experience (within the previous 5 years), and have a letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinarian stating their competency.
• With regulated credentialing, Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) will aid in the purpose to protect the health and safety of the public and animal patients in the state of Minnesota. 
  • Properly trained veterinary team members impact many areas including: infectious diseases; zoonotic diseases; ensuring food and feed safety; animal control and injury protection.
  • Properly trained veterinary team members ensure functional health in companion animals, service and working animals, as well as livestock and research animals.
• Upon licensure the role of veterinary technicians in patient care will be better defined while remaining under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. 
• LVTs and other veterinary team members cannot perform services which are exclusive to licensure responsibilities of the veterinarian (surgery, diagnose/prognose, or prescribe drugs).
• Veterinary team members not eligible for licensure or choosing not to be licensed will be called veterinary assistants. 
• Licensure also ensures veterinary technicians are familiar with and understand the state’s laws and regulations governing their profession.
• MN Board of Veterinary Medicine shall oversee and establish licensure requirements.