OVTAA - F.A.Q.'s



Home Membership Events Officers Links Districts Contact Us Forum F.A.Q. Classified ads	Frequently Asked Questions F.A.Q. section coming soon What is the OVTAA? What are the benefits of membership? What is the proper terminology for a licensed technician in the state of Oregon? How can I become a certified veterinary technician in the state of Oregon? What are the required "technical procedures" for those planning on becoming a CVT with on-the-job experience? What is "grandfathering"? What is the VTNE exam like and how often is it administered? Where do I go to access the application to become a CVT? I'm already licensed as a technician in another state. How do I transfer my license or obtain an Oregon license in addition? What is the OVTAA? The OVTAA is a professional organization devoted to promoting and fostering recognition of the professions of veterinary technology and veterinary assisting in the state of Oregon. Voting members are both assistants and licensed technicians. The OVTAA is not a governing body overseeing the professions. Nor is the OVTAA a union. The OVTAA can provide a voice for assistants and technicians to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) which is the governing body. What are the benefits of membership? Benefits of membership include networking opportunities, opportunities for continuing education(CE), and being a part of a group that can represent the professions to the greater community. Other benefits include receiving the OVTAA's bimonthly newsletter and discounts on both NAVTA membership and Vet Tech magazine subscription. What is the proper terminology for a licensed technician in the state of Oregon? In the state of Oregon a licensed technician is called a "CVT". This stands for "Certified Veterinary Technician" and is the equivilent of RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) or LVT (Licensed Veterinary Technician) in other states. How can I become a certified veterinary technician in the state of Oregon? There are several different criteria for becoming a CVT in the state of Oregon. These are outlined in the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board's Adopted Rules Division 30 Section 875-030-0010. These rules commonly referred to as The Veterinary Practice Act are the rules that govern the business of veterinary medicine within the state of Oregon. All CVTs must pass the VTNE, which is the national board exam for veterinary technicians. to become eligible to take the VTNE you must either be a graduate of a veterinary technology college program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association or have received on-the-job training in technical procedures as certified by a licensed veterinarian. I have listed the specific technical procedures listed by the OVMEB in the next FAQ question for your convenience. The number of hours of on-the-job training required varies based on the applicant's level of education. If the applicant has at a minimum a Bachelor's degree in a field approved by the Board , e.g., Veterinary Technology, Animal Technology, Animal Husbandry, Zoology, etc. and a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training is required. If the applicant has at a minimum an Associate's degree in a field approved by the Board e.g., Veterinary Technology, Animal Technology, Animal Husbandry, Zoology, etc. a minimum of 3,000 hours of on-the-job training is required. If the applicant has acquired a minimum of 30 credit hours of training from a school or program approved by the Board in a field approved by the Board,e.g., Veterinary Technology, Animal Technology, Animal Husbandry, Zoology, etc.a minimum of 4,500 hours is required. If the applicant does not fall into one of the aforementioned criteria then the individual may apply with a minimum of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. For further information contact the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) at ovmeb.info@state.or.us or by phone at 971-673-0224 What are the required "technical procedures" for those planning on becoming a CVT with on-the-job experience? These "technical procedures" are listed by the OVMEB and are reprinted here for your convenience: Medical terminology, basic comparative animal anatomy and physiology, veterinary office procedures, basic pharmacology, practical animal nutrition, nursing care and handling of animals, animal behavior, applied radiography, applied anesthesiology, applied clinical laboratory procedures, principles and practices of medical and surgical assistance, and animal diseases. For further information contact the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) at ovmeb.info@state.or.us or by phone at 971-673-0224 What is "grandfathering"? Grandfathering is a commonly used term that refers to the act of becoming a licensed technician without first graduating from an AVMA-accredditted college program. All of the above ways of challenging the boards are considered "grandfathering" or "alternate" routes to certification. What is the VTNE exam like and how often is it administered? The VTNE is a 200 question multiple-choice exam. Each question has four possible answers with only one correct answer. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so it is generally recommended when taking the exam no questions be left unanswered. The test is proctored twice yearly once in January and once in June. Where do I go to access the application to become a CVT? The easiest way to verify that you qualify to become a CVT is to look at the actual application. This application outlines the requirements mentioned above. To access the application go to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board's Website www.ovmeb.state.or.us and click the link to "Veterinary Applications". A list of various applications should appear. Then choose "Veterinary Technician Application". This will then bring up the application in pdf form so you can read and print it. The application is updated periodically, so when applying make sure you have the one that has the correct testing date. For example, if you are going to qualify to take the test in June make sure you use the form for the June testing date. According to the board the applictaion for the June 2008 boards should be posted in February 2008. I'm already licensed as a technician in another state. How do I transfer my license or obtain an Oregon license in addition? First, you will need to complete the same application form you would if you were applying to become a CVT in Oregon. To access the application go to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board's Website www.ovmeb.state.or.us and click the link to "Veterinary Applications". A list of various applications should appear. Then choose "Veterinary Technician Application". In addition to the application, you will need to submit a "Letter of Good Standing" from the state of your original license along with your VTNE scores. Have the state of your original license send it to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board at OVMEB 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 407 Portland OR 97232. After the OVMEB has received your application they will mail you the the Oregon State Juris Prudence Exam. This is a 40 question exam and is an "open book" test. It relates to ethical and legal behavior within the state of Oregon. Those individuals who became licensed but are not graduates of an AVMA-Accreddited college veterinary technology program ("grandfathered" in) will also be required to attend a 40 hour course on Radiation Use and Safety. All licensed technicians in Oregon must have the X-ray certification that is earned at the completion of this course. The course is offered by several companies around the state. What follows is some contact information on a few different groups that offer the class. The PCC Veterinary Technology Program offers an on-line course - check with them for times. - Call Dolores Galindo, CVT (Head of the CVT Program) 503-614-7330 Imaging Resources, INC 206-768-0199 www.imaging-resources.com- Offers the course over a three day period and has one specifically geared toward veterinary staff. RADSAFE 541-953-6969 - Offers the course over a two day period.