Board members report AAVSB conference actions; VTNE policy change and VCPR resolution noted

Board members and staff who attended the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) annual conference reported on Oct. 22 about several membership actions and policy discussions that could affect credentialing and practice models.

Why it matters: the AAVSB develops model practice-act language and exams used across states and provinces. Changes to national exam administration or model positions on the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and midlevel practitioner credentials could affect reciprocal licensing and practice standards.

Conference takeaways reported to the board

- VTNE in Spanish and exam access: Attendees said AAVSB is considering offering the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) in Spanish because many U.S. test-takers are Spanish speakers. "California was white, because we are 45% population, speaking Spanish," an attendee said while describing a map shown at the conference; board staff said California does not currently require the exam be provided in English. The AAVSB is also handling confidential data-sharing policies with schools and is working through test-development questions.

- Exam timing: The AAVSB's VTNE committee reported that allowing students to take the VTNE prior to graduation is associated with improved first-time pass rates in recent data shared at the conference; board staff said national figures show students testing prior to graduation now perform better than graduates taking the exam later.

- Resolutions and governance: The AAVSB membership passed three resolutions — including a pause on global expansion pending internal reforms, a resolution favoring establishment of a VCPR in person for some AAVSB guidance, and an action opposing AAVSB endorsement of a Colorado-created veterinary practitioner associate (VPA) midlevel credential. Board members said California voted in support of the three resolutions and will monitor how national guidance evolves.

Context and next steps

Board members suggested monitoring AAVSB's practice-act model language and tracking whether AAVSB's resolutions on VCPR and credentialing produce changes to model rules or exam content. The board also discussed outreach to local stakeholders and to schools about exam-language options and the consequences of different approaches.

Ending: attendees said they will continue to report back on AAVSB developments and any proposed model-language changes that could affect California regulation or licensing processes.