Veterinary Technician / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Veterinary Technician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Assists veterinarians in medical and surgical procedures.

What the Virginia data shows for Veterinary Technicians

Virginia sets the entry bar for veterinary technicians at 1,905 training hours and a passing score on VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Virginia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology".

Upfront cost is $131, with renewal running $111 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, veterinary technicians should know: VTNE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Veterinary Technician · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,905 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$131
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$56/yr
$111 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
1,905 hours
Exam Requirement
VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$131
Renewal Fee
$111
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Veterinary Technician All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Veterinary Technician in Virginia? ▼
Virginia's requirements cover 1905 hours of education or training, the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $131. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Veterinary Technician in Virginia? ▼
Certification as a veterinary technician in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 1905 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Veterinary Technician license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for veterinary technicians nationally works like this: VTNE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Virginia. Verify the specifics with the Virginia licensing board.
Does Virginia require a background check for Veterinary Technician licensing? ▼
Virginia does require a background check before issuing a veterinary technician license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Veterinary Technician in Virginia? ▼
Licensed veterinary technicians in Virginia must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $111.

Related Guides

What to do with this veterinary technician license

Veterinary Technician in Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a veterinary technician-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Virginia's veterinary technician requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Veterinary Technician in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state veterinary technician license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Virginia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.