PURPOSE: This rule describes the examinations required for registration as a veterinary technician.

1. (1) All applicants for registration as a veterinary technician in Missouri shall take both—

   1. (A) The Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

      1. 1. The deadline for applying to take the VTNE shall be fif-

teen (15) days prior to the date set by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB); and

1. (B) The Missouri State Board Examination.

   1. 1. The board determines if an applicant is eligible to sit for

the examination by reviewing the application and documentation required. No applicant will be approved to sit for the examination until their application file is complete.

1. (2) Applicants shall submit—

   1. (A) The application for registration and fee to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board; and
   2. (B) The VTNE application and fee directly to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
2. (3) The passing score on the VTNE shall be the minimum criterion referenced score of four hundred twenty-five (425). The passing score shall be seventy percent (70%) correct on the Missouri State Board Examination for the issuance of a registration in this state.
3. (4) The VTNE and the Missouri State Board Examination shall be administered at least once each year.
4. (5) Effective December 31, 2010, an applicant may apply for the examinations during his/her final semester of college; however, to be eligible to sit for the VTNE, the applicant must provide official documentation from the college verifying to the board that the applicant has graduated. However, no certificate of registration will be issued until an official transcript verifying receipt of the degree is received by the board office sent directly by the degree-granting institution. It shall be the applicant’s responsibility to arrange with the school or college for the transmitting of the official transcript to the board office.
5. (6) Any applicant who fails either of the required examinations for registration as a veterinary technician may retake the failed examination(s) by notifying the board office and paying the appropriate nonrefundable examination fee and registration fee by the applicable deadline dates of the board. Test scores are valid and will be accepted by the board for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
6. (7) Effective August 28, 1999, no person may take either examination more than four (4) times either in or out of Missouri to qualify for registration in Missouri. Prior to making application for the fourth attempt at passage of an examination, the applicant shall schedule an appearance with the board to outline a continuing education program, which shall be board-approved and completed prior to filing application for the subsequent examination.

AUTHORITY: sections 340.210, 340.300, 340.302, and 340.308, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 270-3.020. Original rule filed Nov. 4, 1992, effective July 8, 1993. Amended: Filed April 14, 1994, effective Sept. 30, 1994. Amended: Filed March 10, 1995, effective Sept. 30, 1995. Amended: Filed April 13, 2001, effective Oct. 30, 2001. Moved to 20 CSR 2270-3.020, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed April 8, 2009, effective Sept. 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Jan. 3, 2012, effective June 30, 2012. Amended: Filed July 25, 2018, effective Jan. 30, 2019. Amended: Filed Jan. 23, 2024, effective July 30, 2024. *Original authority: 340.210, RSMo 1992, amended 1993, 1995, 1999; 340.300, RSMo 1992, amended 1999; 340.302, RSMo 1992, amended 1999; and 340.308, RSMo 1992, amended 1999.