New Vet Tech Registration Becoming Colorado Law by 2024
The Colorado General Assembly recently passed House Bill 22-1235 which, in part, creates the regulation of Veterinary Technicians in Colorado. It is important to know that anyone practicing as a Veterinary Technician must be registered by the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine by Jan. 1, 2024.
Veterinary Technicians in Colorado previously could hold a certification, but this new registration codifies the profession in statute and creates a new profession under state law.
The Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT) has been approved by the Board of Veterinary Medicine as the credentialing entity in Colorado. CACVT will verify that the applicant has the required qualifications for registration
Applicants should apply directly with CACVT and, once credentialed, will need to submit: a completed application to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO); the required fee for registration approval; and verification that the applicant holds a current credential from CACVT.
Those persons not yet credentialed who have been practicing as a Veterinary Technician but do not meet the registration requirements will have the opportunity to obtain a provisional registration through DPO, subject to all laws, rules, and policies of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine. These individuals will eventually need to obtain a full credential through CACVT prior to expiration of the provisional registration.
The following information is being provided as a courtesy, with the anticipated adoption of Board Rules around Veterinary Technicians in mid to late December. Here are a few items to consider with that target date approaching.
- Veterinary Technician registration applications will be available for qualified candidates on Jan. 1, 2023. Registration will be required on Jan. 1, 2024.
- Provisional registration applications will only be available from Jan. 1, 2023 through Jan. 1, 2024. Please note: There is no requirement to register until Jan. 1, 2024 but qualified individuals may be issued a registration prior to that date. These provisional registrations will no longer be renewable after Jan. 1, 2028.
- Only a person registered as a Veterinary Technician will have the ability to use the titles “Veterinary Technician” or “Registered Veterinary Technician” or the initials “VT” or “RVT” on or after Jan. 1, 2024.
- Veterinary Technician endorsement registrations (those transferring from another state) must satisfy requirements of the Occupational Credential Portability Program (OCCP) and will be processed through DPO.
Information about the requirements for credentialing by CACVT and registration by endorsement through DPO will soon be available on the DPO website.
Please check both your inbox and the Veterinary website for further information as it becomes available.
Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Legislative Update and Training Webinar Recording and Summary/FAQ Document Now Available
In August and September 2022, the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) hosted three webinars concerning several statutory updates to the Colorado PDMP as well as training and resources regarding registration and use of the Colorado PDMP. A recording of the August 23rd webinar, copy of the presentation slides, and a Summary and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document are now available at dpo.colorado.gov/PDMP/Training.