The Backbone of a Practice...
It takes more than a veterinarian to run a successful veterinary practice—it takes a dedicated staff as well. TVMA supports the continuing education and certification of veterinary technicians and assistants as a means to improve both the skills of such employees and the productivity of the practice as a whole.
Registered Veterinary Technicians:
Because they are registered with TVMA, there is a list of current RVTs here. RVT programs are AVMA-approved and are highly intensive college-level programs taught by educators who hold licensure as veterinarians. Students attend classes for two years before graduating with an Associate of Science degree. They must meet rigorous examination requirements in each course they take. In addition, they are required to take college-level courses in other subjects, such as English, biology, psychology, history and government. Once graduated they must pass national and state exams to complete Texas requirements.
Certified Veterinary Assistant:
This program, on the other hand, is a learn-on-the-job vocational training experience that covers the basic fundamentals of veterinary medicine. Through the CVA program, TVMA seeks to assist its members in training, employing and retaining better-qualified and more productive employees. While the collegiate-based Registered Veterinary Technician programs do an outstanding job of training employees for the higher-level work requirements in a veterinary practice, the CVA program provides and certifies training that was previously unavailable at the entry level.
