How To Become A Small Animal VTS

Cheryl Coartney RVT, CVT, VTS(ECC)

The Academy of Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT, was the first technician specialty to be recognized by NAVTA. The process of AVECCT becoming a recognized specialty took the better part of the 1990’s. The organization was recognized by NAVTA in 1996 and the first examination was held in 1998. Our members are located worldwide with members in Canada, UK, Australia, and continental Europe.

The process of becoming a member is a process that takes about 2 years. This is not including the required 3 years of full-time work experience (though the year of building your application is included in the required hours). The process of building a case log is one year long and, if the application is accepted, the exam takes place the following September at the annual IVECCS meeting.Experience is the key to building a strong and diverse case log and to successfully taking and passing the exam.

Surrounding yourself with a strong and positive support system is absolutely essential. Your support system should exist at work and at home. For an entire year, you will want to have hands on experience managing the dynamic Critical Care cases and the emergencies that are both routine and unusual. Having understanding co-workers will make the process somewhat easier.

Part of your support system should also include a mentor and a study group (or partner), and while this is in no way mandatory it helps to have somebody who has gone through the process to provide structure and feedback on case reports and case logs. AVECCT even has a mentorship program that will help to match you with a mentor ( Many of the AVECCT members on Facebook have also created a study group and groups to help support applicants. These include:

  • Veterinary Technician Specialty Applicants/candidates (
  • Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT) (
  • ER Vet Tech Rounds (

Invest in some of the books on the suggested reading list. These will help you study for the exam and are a lovely addition to any technical library. AVECCT members have recently created a bound study guide ( that is about 400 pages thick, the reviews for this have been pretty good and it comes highly recommended. Also obtaining the AVECCT MDR (Multi-Disciplinary Review; 2014, 2013, 2012) and attending the MDR at IVECCS is well worth the cost and time.

Many factors culminate in the successful application and exam taking. Experience and study are a large part, but support from those around you and a positive attitude will go a long way. If you don’t have a successful application, for whatever reason, consider the possibility of gaining additional experience and trying again. If you do not pass the exam on the first try, try for a second time (and even the third!); it is a difficult exam and with each try you will acquire additional study time and experience and confidence in yourself.

Good luck!