What is a veterinary technician (LVT/CVT/RVT)?
A licensed veterinary technician is a credentialed animal health professional who has passed a state licensing exam and performs diagnostic, surgical, and clinical tasks under a veterinarian's supervision.
A licensed veterinary technician holds state certification or licensure (LVT in most states, CVT in California, or RVT in some regions) after passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and meeting educational requirements, typically a two-year associate degree from an accredited program. This credential distinguishes the role from a veterinary assistant, who has no formal licensing requirement or standardized exam.
Veterinary technicians perform a range of clinical duties including drawing blood, running laboratory tests, assisting in surgeries, taking radiographs, administering medications, placing catheters, and obtaining patient histories. They work in general practices, specialty hospitals, emergency clinics, and research facilities. Scope of practice varies by state but always requires direct or indirect supervision by a licensed veterinarian.
Veterinary assistants, by contrast, handle non-medical tasks such as cleaning, restraining animals, answering phones, and stocking supplies. They require no exam or credential. The technician title reflects professional training in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, making credentialed techs essential to clinical operations at most veterinary clinics in Colorado and nationwide.