§ 4841.5. — 4841.5. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 15.)

(a)
To obtain registration as a registered veterinary technician, the applicant shall satisfy the following requirements:
(1)
Complete and submit an application upon a form furnished by the board.
(2)
Pay the applicable fees specified in Section 4905.
(3)
Pursuant to Section 144, submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check and undergo a state and federal criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code. The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the board
pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(4)
Furnish satisfactory evidence of one of the following:
(A)
Graduation from, at minimum, a two-year curriculum in veterinary technology, in a college or other postsecondary institution accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In the case of a private postsecondary institution, the institution shall also be approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Proof of graduation shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from the college, other postsecondary institution, or American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
(B)
A combination of education and clinical practice experience, as determined by the board. All education shall be accredited by the AVMA or the
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, or approved by the BPPE.
(C)
Graduation from a veterinary college recognized by the board. Proof of graduation shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from the veterinary college or the AAVSB.
(D)
Education equivalency certified by the AAVSB’s Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) for Veterinary Technicians. The certificate of education equivalence shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
(E)
Education equivalency certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or PAVE. The certificate of education equivalence shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from ECFVG or
PAVE.
(5)
Pass the national licensing examination for veterinary technicians. If the applicant passed the national licensing examination over five years from the date of submitting the veterinary technician registration application, the applicant shall perform one of the following:
(A)
Retake and pass the national licensing examination.
(B)
Submit proof of having practiced clinical veterinary medicine for a minimum of two years and completed a minimum of 2,500 hours of clinical practice in another state, Canadian province, or United States territory within the three years immediately preceding filing an application for licensure in this state.
(C)
Complete the minimum continuing education requirements of Section 4858.2 for the current and preceding
year.
(b)
The applicant shall disclose each state, Canadian province, or United States territory in which the applicant currently holds or has ever held a license, registration, certificate, or permit to practice veterinary medicine. License verification, including any disciplinary or enforcement history, shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from each state, Canadian province, or United States territory in which the applicant has identified that the applicant holds or has ever held a license to practice veterinary medicine.
(c)
An application for veterinary technician registration shall be subject to denial pursuant to Sections 480 and 4883.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 15. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.