Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Alberta

Last checked 3 sources checkedNOC 32104

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to work as a veterinary technologist in Alberta or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Veterinary Profession Act [pdf] and Veterinary Profession General Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) is mandatory.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $153.71
  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $635.13

  1. Before applying, collect scanned identity documents, a police information check if applicable, notarized exam results, diploma, photograph, letters of good standing and character references.

    Source
    “Before you apply as a registered veterinary technologist, gather the following information:”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

  2. Complete the online intent to register application for General, Limited or Provisional registration.

    Source
    “Intent to Register with the ABVMA Application”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

  3. At the end of the online application, pay the required application fee online.

    Source
    “At the end of the online application process, you will be asked to pay the application fee. Online payment of the application fee is required.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

  4. After submitting the online form, mail or courier the required notarized documents to the ABVMA office with a signed cover sheet.

    Source
    “After submitting one of the online forms below, you will receive an email from our system with additional instructions. You must mail or courier the required documents to the ABVMA office.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

  5. Once the application is approved, the ABVMA sends an email with registration information and the ABVTA sends information about member benefits.

    Source
    “Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email from the ABVMA with information about your registration.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $153.71

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $153.71 100%
One-time total $153.71 100%

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $635.13 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $635.13

  1. For more information about registering when already certified in another province or territory, see the referenced FAQ and the ABVMA website.

    Source
    “For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the ABVMA website.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ABVMA

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $635.13 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $635.13

  1. Graduates of non-accredited programs must successfully complete an assessment established by the ABVMA and the ABVTA.

    Source
    “Graduates from non-accredited animal health technology/veterinary technology programs may qualify for registration upon successful completion of an assessment that has been established by the ABVMA and the ABVTA.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/member

  2. A limited practice registered veterinary technologist must have passed the VTNE.

    Source
    “Limited Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist: a graduate of a non-accredited animal health technology or equivalent program, who has completed the ABVMA assessment process and their practice is limited to the species or category (small animal, large animal) and has passed the VTNE.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

  3. Use the same application process as for General, Limited or Provisional registration, gathering documents, applying online, paying the fee and mailing notarized documents.

    Source
    “Use this application for General, Limited or Provisional registration:”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ABVMA

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees: $635.13 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • To become a registered veterinary technologist in Alberta, you need an animal health technology or veterinary technology diploma accredited by the Canadian or American Veterinary Medical Association, or equivalent.

    Source
    “An animal health technology or veterinary technology diploma accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or the American Veterinary Medical Association, or equivalent”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno...

Police check

Good character

Other

  • Applicants must successfully complete the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

    Source
    “Successful completion of the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno...

  • Applicants must hold membership with the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA), which is included in the ABVMA application.

    Source
    “Membership with the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA)”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno...

  • Applicants must provide identity documents such as a Canadian passport, birth certificate or Social Insurance Number, or a work visa or permanent resident visa if they do not have these.

    Source
    “a valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Birth certificate or Canadian Social Insurance Number(SIN). If the applicant doesn’t have these documents then a work visa or permanent resident visa is required.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

  • Provisional veterinary technologist members must practise under immediate or direct supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian or a general or limited registered veterinary technologist.

    Source
    “Immediate or direct supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian or general or limited registered veterinary technologist (RVT) is required.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages state only that veterinary technologists registered and in good standing elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta, without saying whether extra steps are needed.

Source
“Veterinary technologists who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory body elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Exams

  • Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)

    Source
    “General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist: a graduate of an animal health technology or veterinary technology program accredited by the Canadian or American Veterinary Medical Association and has passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Supervised practice

Required

A provisional veterinary technologist member who has not yet passed the VTNE must practise under immediate or direct supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian or a general or limited registered veterinary technologist.

Source
“Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member: a graduate of an animal health technology or veterinary technology program accredited by the Canadian or American Veterinary Medical Association, who has not yet passed the VTNE. Immediate or direct supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian or general or limited registered veterinary technologist (RVT) is required.”
abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 32104, Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $17.00 $24.00 $37.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $17.00 $23.00 $33.16 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Veterinary technologists in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 2 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Licence required
  • Manitoba Licence required
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare veterinary technologist licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Veterinary Technologist: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinary-techno... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Apply as a Veterinary Technologist - Alberta Veterinary Medical Association abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vettechapplication · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Become a Member - Alberta Veterinary Medical Association abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/member · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a veterinary technologist in Alberta?

Yes. Registration with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association is required to practise in Alberta.

Which exams are required?

Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

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