CVTEA accreditation policies and procedures

Last update to this section: January 2024

XIV. Quality Assurance

Development of Accreditation Standards

The CVTEA is charged with the accreditation of veterinary technology programs. For the CVTEA to assess programs for accreditation, standard requirements for the accreditation of veterinary technology programs have been developed and implemented. The CVTEA reports newly developed Standards or changes to existing Standards to the AVMA Board of Directors.

The process culminates in the adoption of Standard requirements which are published in the Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA CVTEA manual. The manual is updated annually, or as needed.

Review of Established Standards

The Committee's ongoing review of the Standards of Accreditation results in their evolution based upon changes in the educational and professional community. Requests for modifying the Standards may be received from a variety of sources. Two forms of revision are used: the revision of an existing Standard to meet evolving educational and professional needs; and developing a new Standard in response to changes in contemporary education, or professional needs or processes. Standards may be revised, added, or deleted.

Standards are reviewed cyclically every five years. Annually, the Standards Validity and Reliability Subcommittee will review in depth the applicable Standards. Each Standard will be reviewed for content, clarity, and contemporary need. The Subcommittee will recommend revisions of the Standards to the full Committee.

Adding or Revising a Standard

  • The Subcommittee meets prior to the fall CVTEA meeting to review and propose any revisions to the Standards.
  • Proposed revisions are provided to the full Committee at the in-person fall meeting.
  • Proposed revisions are sent out by on-line survey to stakeholders during winter/spring.
  • Stakeholder feedback is reviewed prior to the spring meeting by the Subcommittee.
  • The final recommendation on any Standard revision is forwarded to the full Committee for their review at the spring meeting.
  • The full Committee makes a final motion regarding the Standard.
  • If approved, the Standard revisions are published in the annual Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA CVTEA.

Development of the Essential Skills List and Required Equipment List

Graduates of veterinary technology programs are expected to possess the motor, critical thinking, and clinical application skills of an entry-level veterinary technician. CVTEA develops a list of the required psychomotor, critical thinking, clinical application skills and knowledge that are the foundation of the educational experience. These skills are developed in response to the evolving needs of the profession. Documentation of these competencies is used by CVTEA as one tool to monitor the accreditation process.

Veterinary technology programs have need of the appropriate resources to deliver the educational program to students. CVTEA develops a list of required equipment that must be available to all programs for primary teaching purposes.

Review of Current Essential Skills List and Required Equipment List

An ongoing review of the essential skills and required equipment lists by the Committee results in revisions to the lists which are based upon changes in the needs of the profession. Requests for modifying the essential skills and required equipment may be received from a variety of sources. The addition or deletion of essential skills or required equipment is in response to changing professional needs.

Essential skills and required equipment are reviewed cyclically every five years. Annually, the Equipment and Skills Evaluation Subcommittee will review the applicable sections of the essential skills and required equipment lists. Each list will be reviewed for content, clarity, and contemporary need. The Subcommittee will recommend revisions of the essential skills and required equipment to the full Committee.

Adding or Revising the Essential Skills List and Required Equipment List

  • The Equipment and Skills Evaluation Subcommittee meets prior to the fall CVTEA meeting to review and propose any revisions to the essential skills and required equipment.
  • Proposed revisions are provided to the full Committee at the in-person fall meeting.
  • Proposed revisions are sent out by on-line survey to stakeholders during winter/spring.
  • Stakeholder feedback is reviewed prior to the spring meeting by the Equipment and Skills Evaluation Subcommittee.
  • The final recommendation on any revision to the essential skills and required equipment lists are forwarded to the full Committee for their review at the spring meeting.
  • The full Committee makes a final motion regarding the essential skills and required equipment.
  • If approved, the Standard revisions are published in the CVTEA manual.