Advanced Training and Professional Development For RVTs
There is a growing demand for advanced veterinary care across companion animal, wildlife, and livestock settings, increasing the need for specialized training and professional development for Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs).
Advanced training for RVTs can include short courses, seminars, certifications, and specialty designations. One pathway available to RVTs is obtaining a Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS), which recognizes advanced expertise in a specific area of veterinary medicine. Veterinary Technician Specialists are RVTs who have demonstrated mastery of advanced skills through years of focused education, training, and hands-on experience.
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RVTs are required to participate in ongoing professional development to maintain their registration and memberships with the ABVTA and ABVMA. Beyond meeting these requirements, many RVTs choose to pursue additional training to grow their careers, increase confidence and job satisfaction, and better support the patients in their care. Advanced training further equips RVTs to increase competency and take on additional delegated responsibilities. Pursuing these opportunities allows RVTs to:
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Pursue Your Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS)
A Veterinary Technician Specialty is an RVT who has received recognition of specialization in a specific area of veterinary medicine from a NAVTA/CVTS-approved specialty academy. These individuals have completed a formal process of education, training, experience, and testing.
The path to achieving a VTS takes approximately 3-5 years. Specific information on pursuing a VTS can be found on the academy website, but generally requires the following steps to complete:
- Download application package
- Identify skills checklist, reading list and required number of practice hours
- Find a mentor (contact the academy)
- Complete case reports and case log
- Submit an application to the academy
- Obtain permission to sit for the exam
Click here to visit the NAVTA website for the complete list of NAVTA-approved academies.
Special Interest Veterinary Societies
These groups cover a wide range of interests within the profession, including species-specific care, networking, professional development, and complementary therapies.
This resource is intended for RVTs who are looking to deepen their knowledge, connect with peers, or explore new areas of veterinary medicine. Membership in these societies is generally open to anyone who shares the specific interests of the group.
Special Interest Societies
| Name of Society | Society Information | Website |
| American Association of Bovine Practitioners | An international association of veterinarians serving society as leaders in cattle health, welfare, and productivity. Their mission is to provide support, continuing education, and advocacy for current and future veterinary professionals and the cattle they serve. | www.aabp.org |
| Association of Avian Veterinarians | Global professional organization dedicated to advancing and promoting avian health, welfare, and conservation through education, advocacy, and science. | www.aav.org |
| Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians | Dedicated to all aspects of quality veterinary technical care in the field of zoo animal medicine. | www.azvt.org |
| Calgary Academy of Veterinary Medicine | A non-profit organization that organizes and provides affordable continuing education opportunities and events for its members and their staff. | www.cavm.ab.ca |
| College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies | The world’s first online college, offering accredited and non-accredited tertiary education and international leadership in comprehensive veterinary natural medicine. | www.civtedu.org |
| American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians | To promote the health and welfare of horses through the education and professional enrichment of the equine veterinary technologist and assistant. | www.aaevt.org |
| American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians | To improve the quality of life in animals through physical medicine and rehabilitation. | rehabvets.org |
| Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians | A professional association for veterinarians and technologists dedicated to advancing and offering the best medical and surgical care for owners of exotic companion pets. | www.aemv.org |
| Edmonton Association of Small Animal Veterinarians | A local association of veterinarians who practice small animal medicine. | www.easav.ca |
| Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society | VECCS provides a forum for collaboration of individuals involved with veterinary emergency and critical care medicine and surgery. | www.veccs.org |
| Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners | Provides continuing education and serves as an advocate for veterinarians specializing in dairy and beef cattle in western provinces. | www.wcabp.com |
Certificate Programs & CPD Providers
Continuing professional development provides RVTs with opportunities to enhance their skills, stay current with industry advancements, and continue to provide high standards of care for patients.
Engaging in advanced training and obtaining advanced certifications not only broadens an RVT's expertise but also opens up new professional opportunities, increases job satisfaction, and boosts confidence in abilities.
Continuing Professional Development Providers
| Provider | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) | Database of ABVMA approved and/or advertised programming. | www.abvma.in1touch.org |
| Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA) | Database of ABVTA professional development courses and industry resources. | www.abvta.com |
| American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) | Access CPD opportunities such as guideline certifications in endocrinopathy, diabetes management, and anesthesia safety and monitoring. | www.aaha.org |
| ASPCAPro | Offers courses, conferences, and training programs in areas such as holistic care, animal cruelty response, equine, and small animal medicine. | www.aspcapro.org |
| Beef Cattle Research Council | Provides timely, science-based CPD opportunities supporting the Canadian beef industry. | www.beefresearch.ca |
| BestBETS for Vets | Provides simple reviews of current best evidence to answer specific clinical questions. | www.bestbetsforvets.org |
| Boehringer Ingelheim (UK) | Offers hundreds of free educational resources with a personalized CPD record tailored to your specialty, disease area, and expertise. | www.boehringer-academy.co.uk |
| BS Communication Strategies | Offers a five-day program for RVTs interested in leading vaccine and wellness appointments for cats and dogs. | www.bscommunication.ca |
| Calgary Academy of Veterinary Medicine (CAVM) | Provides live and virtual CPD opportunities and social events covering diverse topics in veterinary medicine. | www.cavm.ab.ca |
| College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (AUS) | Offers herbal medicine and integrative therapy courses. | www.civtedu.org |
| CommuniVET | Canadian online animal health resource offering case studies, videos, quizzes, live webcasts, and more. | www.communivet.com |
| Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) | Extensive index of open access journals and articles including over 1,200 free journals. | www.doaj.org |
| DVM360 | Comprehensive resources covering veterinary medicine, from technology and clinical insights to management strategies. | www.dvm360.com |
| Edmonton Association of Small Animal Veterinarians | Offers virtual and in-person CPD opportunities for small animal medicine practitioners. | www.easav.ca |
| Euthabag | Provides practical classes in small animal euthanasia, approved by the AAVSB RACE committee. | www.veterinaryeuthanasiaeducation.com |
| Hill’s Veterinary Nutritional Advocate | RACE-approved CPD and patient-centered education. | www.na.hillsvna.com |
| Idexx Learning Centre | Access over 1,000 CPD courses, including more than 100 RACE-approved programs on diagnostics, diseases, and management. | www.idexxlearningcenter.com |
| International Conference on Communication in Veterinary Medicine (ICCVM) | Offers conferences and workshops to strengthen veterinary professionals’ communication skills. | www.iccvm.ca |
| International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS) | Database of online CPD on topics including endocrinology, dental care, and behavioral medicine. | www.ivis.org |
| Kansas State University | Online seminars in bovine, small ruminant, equine, and small animal medicine. | www.vet.k-state.edu |
| Northwestern Polytechnic | Animal health courses and micro-credentials in artificial insemination and bovine ultrasound pregnancy detection. | www.nwpolytech.ca |
| Lakeland College | CPD courses and workshops for bovine and equine medicine. | www.lakelandcollege.ca |
| Large Animal Consulting and Education (LACE) | Provides RACE-approved CPD courses for large animal medicine. | www.largeanimalce.com |
| Olds College | Courses and micro-credentials in bovine, equine, and canine medicine. | www.oldscollege.ca |
| On the Floor @Dove | Subscription-based CPD for RVTs, veterinarians, and receptionists. | www.atdove.org |
| Platinum Performance | RACE-approved CPD webinars on equine health topics featuring leading veterinarians and researchers. | www.platinumperformance.ca |
| Purdue University | Courses offered through the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and hosted by the World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA). | www.vet.purdue.edu |
| RCVS Library and Library Membership | Access to a wide range of electronic and print resources on veterinary science and animal health. | www.knowledge.rcvs.org.uk |
| Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) | Database of RACE-approved programming listed by industry providers. | www.courses.cebroker.com |
| Royal Veterinary College (UK) | Offers tutor-moderated online courses, interactive lectures, ultrasound workshops, and hands-on CPD training. | www.rvc.ac.uk |
| The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) | Remote RACE-approved CPD with a wide range of topics and a comprehensive surgical video library. | www.navc.com |
| University of Illinois | CPD courses on biosecurity, disease management, livestock, and dental topics. | www.illinois.catalog.instructure.com |
| Veterinary Evidence | Evidence reviews answering scientific and clinical questions in veterinary medicine. | www.veterinaryevidence.org |
| VetMedTeam | RACE-approved interactive distance and self-study CPD courses for medical and management skills. | www.vetmedteam.com |
| VSPN | Interactive and on-demand RACE-approved CPD for veterinarians, RVTs, and support staff. | www.vin.com |
Advanced Training and Certificate Programs
| Name of Program | Program Information | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| AAEVT Online Certificate Academy | The AAEVT Online Certificate Academy empowers equine technologists with the skills needed to become invaluable members of the equine veterinary team. Topics include improving practice efficiency and leading surgical preparations. | www.aaevt.org |
| AAHA End-of-Life-Care Certificate Program | A comprehensive course led by Dr. Kathleen Cooney that enhances skills for compassionate end of life care for companion animals. Covers euthanasia techniques, palliative care, and communication with pet owners. | www.aaha.org |
| Animal Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Education | The Academy of Animal Sports Science offers specialized education for licensed professionals, focusing on the Animal Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation program for equine and canine care. | www.academyofanimalsportscience.com |
| Beef Production Certification | Olds College provides online training for students and those in the livestock workforce. Courses can be taken individually or combined to complete the certificate. | www.oldscollege.ca |
| Bovine Ultrasound Certification | Upon completion, RVTs in Alberta may perform beef cattle pregnancy detection by ultrasound under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian when delegated. | www.oldscollege.ca |
| CALAS, ACSAL Certification | Canada’s leading organization for certifying laboratory animal handling, husbandry, and research techniques. Includes a practical component and an academic competency exam. | www.calas-acsal.org |
| Canine Osteoarthritis Case Manager Certificate Program | Improves care and quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis by designating a case manager who guides treatment and communication between the team and the pet owner. | www.utvetrehab.com |
| Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse | CCRVT and CCRVN certifications cover anatomy, soft tissue therapy, modalities, and exercise progression for canine rehab. Includes a 40-hour internship in a rehab practice. | www.caninerehabinstitute.com |
| Cattle Artificial Insemination Certification | Intensive four-day course covering artificial insemination and herd reproduction management with classroom and hands-on learning. | www.oldscollege.ca |
| Certified Canine Fitness Trainer Program | Covers regulatory issues, anatomy and physiology, behavior, nutrition, first aid, pharmacology, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, modalities, and fitness assessment for canine athletes and working dogs. | www.ncsuvetce.com |
| Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist Program | A university-based, RACE approved credential for canine rehabilitation education and training. | www.ncsuvetce.com |
| Certified Equine Rehabilitation Assistant for RVTs | CERA builds knowledge in equine athletics and rehab techniques with case study application to enhance equine health and performance. | www.animalrehabinstitute.com |
| Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner | IVAPM certification includes coursework, workshops, and exams on pain assessment, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, anesthesia, and chronic pain management. | www.ivapm.org |
| Equine Rehabilitation Certificate Program | A series of post-graduate courses for veterinarians, veterinary technologists, and physical therapists. Includes case studies and a final exam that move learners from theory to clinical application. | www.ncsuvetce.com |
| LLC Livestock Continuing Education Courses | Lakeland College hands-on livestock courses that include artificial insemination for cattle, dairy hoof trimming, and calving. | www.lakelandcollege.ca |
| Leadership in Healthcare Certification | A practical curriculum that explores healthcare leadership competencies tailored for clinical settings. | www.nait.ca |
| Nutrition Case Management Online Certificate Program | Provides a comprehensive understanding of veterinary nutrition so teams can offer safe and effective options with a focus on preventive care. | www.utvetrehab.com |
| Production Animal, Bovine, Ultrasound Pregnancy Detection Micro Credential | A Northwestern Polytechnic micro credential for RVTs to expand skills and scope in production animal pregnancy detection. | www.nwpolytech.ca |
| RECOVER Basic and Advanced Life Support Certification for Veterinary Professionals | Demonstrates knowledge and skills aligned with current evidence-based guidelines. Includes online and in-person training for BLS and ALS. | www.recoverinitiative.org |
| Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue | Focuses on the safe extrication of live large animals from entrapments in emergencies. Emphasizes behavior, equipment, and rescue methods. | www.tlaer.org |
| VCS Technician Membership | Access to oncology education, networking, conference discounts, a learning platform, and collaboration with experts in veterinary cancer care. | vetcancersociety.org |
| Veterinary Human Support Certificate | Education for animal-related professionals on the four areas of veterinary social work. | www.vetsocialwork.tennessee.edu |
| Veterinary Massage and Rehabilitation Therapy Program | A 142 hour post graduate certification program for licensed veterinarians, veterinary technologists, physical therapists, nurses, massage therapists, and other licensed healthcare professionals. | www.healingoasis.edu |
Olds Refresher Courses
| Refresher Course | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Canine Conditioning Refresher | This online, instructorless course is designed to help RVTs expand their knowledge of canine conditioning and its benefits. | View Course |
| Introduction to Small Animal Dentistry Refresher | This four-hour online course helps RVTs build confidence in small animal dentistry, with a focus on COHATs, oral anatomy, and dental instruments used in practice. | View Course |
| Small Animal Anesthesia Refresher | This online course helps individuals gain confidence in anesthesia technology, focusing on administering, preparing, and responding to changes in small animals. | View Course |
| Hands-Free Radiology Techniques Refresher | This asynchronous course covers the aims and benefits of hands-free radiology, its implementation, and techniques for achieving quality diagnostic x-rays. | View Course |
| Small Animal Emergency Medicine Refresher | This online, instructor-less course is designed to help RVTs refresh their knowledge of small animal emergency medicine. | View Course |