25 May OVTAA submits title protection proposal to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board
On March 31st, 2023, the Oregon Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association (OVTAA) board of directors submitted a proposal to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) for the addition of Title Protection for Technicians in the state of Oregon. This request is supported by organizations at both the state and national levels including the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The OVTAA board strongly believes that creating title protection for Veterinary Technicians is necessary to improve the retention and engagement of CVTs in Oregon.
The Oregon Veterinary Practice act currently regulates veterinary technicians without title protection. OVTAA efforts are directed at establishing title protection by amending the current laws to protect “veterinary technician” as a title already defined within the practice act. OVTAA is seeking collaborative relationships with the OVMEB and local and state veterinary medical associations, and educational facilities to advocate for legislative changes necessary to institute stronger title protection within our state.
Proposed language for the Oregon Veterinary Practice Act:
Only a person who possesses a valid, unsuspended, and unrevoked, Board-issued license to practice as a veterinary technician is authorized to use the title Veterinary Technician, Certified Veterinary Technician, Credentialed Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technologist, Veterinary Technician Specialist, or abbreviations: VT, CVT, VTS, or Vet Tech. Definition of Veterinary Technician Specialist: A person who holds a credential in good standing from a National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America approved academy.
Making any statement, claim, or advertisement that the person is a veterinary specialist or board certified unless they are certified by an American Veterinary Medical Association- recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization or a National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America- recognized Veterinary Specialty Organization.
Misrepresentation of oneself either to the employer or public, and/or misrepresentation of an employee to the public.
Fee/Fines:
An individual or employer misrepresenting a veterinary technician is a Class C misdemeanor or civil penalty by the Board.
To learn more about title protection, please visit the following websites: