Each country has their own specific requirements. You’ll need to find out about the national and/or regional RVT association of the country you’re considering for details on registration and licensing of veterinary technicians/nurses. You’ll also need to find out about the country’s immigration policies and work visa requirements.

In Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick you must be registered to legally perform the skills identified that can only be performed by an RVT.

The other provinces and territories have voluntary registration. In these provinces and territories, a veterinarian can delegate tasks to individuals they deem qualified.

Yes, there are a number of specializations you can choose from. Each specialization requires specific education and is accredited by its own organization.

The majority of Veterinary Technician Specialist academies do require you to first be a Registered Veterinary Technologist/Technician, while others are in the process of reviewing their requirements and may require it in the future.

In Canada there is no difference between a Registered Veterinary Technician and a Registered Veterinary Technologist. This term is used based on geographical location: technologist is used in Western Canada and technician in Eastern Canada.

Each province is responsible for its own registration of RVTs. It’s highly recommended to research and begin the process before moving or discontinuing your current RVT status. You should also look into the return process in case you return to your original province.

The Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut are the only parts of the country that don’t have a provincial association. You can register to become an RVT in a province that doesn’t have a residency clause.

Veterinarians are animal doctors who are legally allowed to perform surgeries, prescribe medication and diagnose patients. RVTs can assist veterinarians in these duties by performing many necessary medical procedures but cannot diagnose patients, prescribe medicine or perform surgery.

Thompson Rivers University is the only post-secondary institution in Canada that’s accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and that offers a fully online program of study.

In Canada, the provincial veterinary technologist/technician associations are responsible for the registration of RVTs in their province. Some provinces are partnered with their Veterinary Medical Association in this process. It’s important to contact the regulatory body in the province where you’re planning to reside to find out about the province’s specific requirement and the steps necessary to become an RVT in that province, if it’s possible.

Here’s a list of our provincial VT associations.

In Canada, it’s the provincial VT associations that are responsible for the registration of RVTs in their province. Some provinces are partnered with their Veterinary Medical Association in this process. It’s important to contact the regulatory body in the province where you’re planning to reside to find out about the province’s specific requirement and the steps necessary to become an RVT in that province, if it’s possible.

Here’s a list of our provincial VT associations.

No, you’re not required to be an RVT to become a Registered Lab Animal Technician. Contact the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science for more information.