Application for RVT Certification – Student or New Graduate
Are You a Current LA RVT?
If you already possess an active or expired RVT certificate in Louisiana and are trying to access or renew your RVT certificate, you must log into the LBVM License Portal, NOT the LBVM Application Portal.
RVT Qualifications:
In order to qualify for RVT certification in Louisiana, one must:
- have successfully completed either:
(1) a program in veterinary technology which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); OR
(2) a board-approved program in veterinary technology at an accredited institution of higher education and have two years actual experience working in a veterinary practice under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian; - have submitted all supplemental documentation and fees as required by the Board;
- have successfully passed the state board (jurisprudence) exam; and,
- have successfully passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) within three years from the application submission date.
* If scores are older than three years then an applicant must retake the exam; however, the VTNE retake requirement may be waived if specific waiver criteria are met.
Step 1. Create Your LBVM Account
If you have not used the LBVM Application Portal before, you must register and select an email address to serve as your portal credential. This email will be used to access both the Application Portal and the License Portal once your certificate is issued. You are strongly advised to use a permanent email address rather than one associated with a school, employer, or other temporary account.
You can only register with ONE email address – Do NOT create multiple accounts!
- After clicking “Register for an LBVM Account” below, you will enter your email address then click “Next”. A temporary password will be emailed to you.
- Enter the temporary password into the LBVM Applicant Portal.
- Enter your first name, last name, and birthday.
- Create your new account password.
- Select and set up your desired security method.
Application In-Progress or Submitted?
If you have already created an online account and started the online application for RVT Certification, click below to go to the LBVM Application Portal. Through the portal you can complete and submit your application and supplemental documentation and check on the status of your documents. Applicants are encouraged to frequently log into the LBVM Application Portal for application updates.
Having Trouble Logging In? Click here to reset your password.
Are You Locked Out? After three failed login attempts, you will be locked out of Application Portal. If so, you must email the Board at admin@lsbvm.org for further assistance.
Step 2. Complete an Application
After logging into the LBVM Application Portal, click “Start New Application” on the welcome page. Then scroll down and click “Apply” for the RVT – Student/New Graduate application under “Registered Veterinary Technician”.
Read the instructions carefully. You can stop at any step and return later to finish the application.
Follow the prompts and instructions for each section of the application below, clicking “Save & Continue” after each one.
Application Sections to be Completed:
- Personal Information
- Other Licenses
- Education History
- VTNE Attempts
- Employment History
- Supporting Documentation
- Declarations
- Attestations
- Fee Payment
Note: To expedite processing, skip the Supporting Documents step and submit the application with payment. Supporting documents may be uploaded later. (See step 4 below.)
Step 3. Make Payment of Fees
After completing the attestation(s), the final step is paying all required fees. You can pay by 1) credit/debit card, 2) ACH, or 3) mailed check. Select your preferred method and follow the instructions.
Processing Fees: A 2.5% processing fee applies to credit/debit card payments (charged by Elavon). ACH and check payments have no processing fee.
Your application will remain incomplete until full payment and all supplemental documents are received. Paying by physical check will delay completion.
Application Fees, RVT – $95-105 Total
- Non-Refundable App Fee: $25
- Original Certification Fee: $30
- State Board Exam Fee: $40
- Score Transfer Fee: $10
Score transfer fee is only paid if VTNE score is being transferred from another state
A $50 testing fee must be paid to the third-party testing vendor if the online state board exam option is selected.
Step 4. Submit All Required Documentation
The application and payment should be submitted first. After the Board office completes its initial review, the checklist in the “Documents” section of the LBVM Application Portal will be updated at which time all supplemental documentation may then be uploaded through the portal or emailed to the Board office. Documents cannot be tracked if received before the application is submitted.
The following documents must be submitted to complete the online application:
- Photograph – A current passport-type photograph (head & shoulders).
- Diploma OR Transcript – A copy of your diploma OR the final, official veterinary technology transcript must be submitted after you complete your veterinary technology program. If a transcript is uploaded into the portal, you are still required to submit an official transcript to the LBVM directly from your school.
- VTNE Exam Score(s) – Once the VTNE is completed, you must request your official scores from AAVSB to be sent to the Board Office. To transfer passing scores for the VTNE exam taken outside of Louisiana, you must contact AAVSB.
Haven’t Taken or Passed the VTNE?
Approval to take the VTNE requires a separate application directly to AAVSB, independent of your LBVM certification application. The application details and deadlines can be found on the AAVSB website.
All scores – passing OR failing – must be submitted to the LBVM upon exam completion if applying for certification in Louisiana.
Step 5. Take the State Jurisprudence Exam
All RVT applicants must successfully pass the state jurisprudence exam prior to an RVT certificate being issued. The 30-minute examination consists of twenty-six (26) questions designed to test an applicant’s familiarity with the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Louisiana.
A passing score of 70% or more on the exam is required for licensure. Applicants can take the state board exam either:
- in-person at the LBVM office; or,
- online through the AAVSB’s State and Provincial Assessments (SPA) program.
Currently enrolled RVT students are eligible to take the state jurisprudence exam once they are within 60 days from their date of graduation.
The state board exam is independent from the VTNE and can be taken either before or after the VTNE is completed.
Prepare for the Exam
Download and review the Exam Study Guide, the LA Veterinary Practice Act, the Louisiana Administrative Code, and the complimentary statutes below.
Sign Up for State Board Exam
If you are a current Veterinary Technology student within 60 days from the date of your anticipated graduation, you must submit the Anticipated Date of Graduation Form.
NOTE: Students enrolled in any of the following veterinary technology programs in Louisiana — 1) Baton Rouge Community College, 2) Delgado Community College, 3) Northwestern State University of LA, or 4) Northshore Technical Community College — may NOT need to submit the Anticipated Date of Graduation Form since a list of all eligible graduates is submitted to the Board directly from the Vet Tech programs.
If you are a recent Veterinary Technology graduate, the Board must receive at minimum your submitted application and payment of fees as well as a copy of your veterinary technology diploma OR official transcript.
Complete the short online sign-up form below to indicate whether you would like to take the exam online or in-person..
Step 6. Frequently Check Your Application Status
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details. Check your status regularly in the LBVM Application Portal. If any item shows “Waiting for Upload” or “Not Received,” submit it by following the instructions in the Documents section checklist of the portal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For How Long is an Application Valid?
In accordance with LAC 46LXXXV.801.F, an application is valid for one year from the submission date. If all requirements are not met and a certificate is not issued within that time, the application expires and the process – including all fees and required documents – must be completed again.
Need Testing Accommodations?
If you are would like to request testing accommodations, please complete the LBVM Request for Accommodations Form and submit it to the LBVM Office directly either via email to director@lsbvm.org or via postal services to the address below.
ATTN: Executive Director | LA Board of Veterinary Medicine | 5825 Florida Blvd | Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Criminal Conviction Considerations
Statute §1518 of the LA Veterinary Practice Act establishes that the Board shall have the power to examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Louisiana. In so doing, criminal convictions of an applicant may be used for a basis for denial. In accordance with LA Revised Statute 37:2950, if the conviction directly relates to the practice of veterinary medicine, the Board shall consider all of the following: a) the nature and seriousness of the offense; b) the nature of the specific duties and responsibilities for which the license, permit, or certificate is required; c) the amount of time that has passed since the conviction; d) facts relevant to the circumstances of the offense, including any aggravating or mitigating circumstances or social conditions surrounding the commission of the offense; and e) evidence of rehabilitation or treatment undertaken by the person since the conviction.
In accordance with LA Revised Statute 37:33, an applicant – or a potential applicant – who has a criminal conviction can apply for a statement from the Board for disqualifying status at any time. This request could be made even prior to applying to a veterinary program or veterinary technology program or before applying for the Board’s CAET training course.