CVTEA accreditation policies and procedures

Last update to this section: January 2024

VII. Classification of Accreditation

The final appraisal of each program is based on review of the total educational program by an evaluation site team visit and accreditation decision by the CVTEA, with consideration given to each stated objective and the Standards as listed. Classification of accreditation of a program in veterinary technology shall be in effect from the last day of the site visit until acted upon by the CVTEA. The accreditation status of each program will be published semi-annually and made available upon request.

Graduates of programs classified as Full, Initial, Probationary, Administrative Probation, Involuntary Terminal, or Voluntary Terminal Accreditation are all graduates of an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program in veterinary technology. Graduates of a program classified as Accreditation Withdrawn are not graduates of an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program.

Full Accreditation – Those programs that substantially meet all Standards of Accreditation. Programs will Full Accreditation classification may be placed on Probationary Accreditation if the program does not provide continuing evidence of progress toward meeting all Standards. A special site visit may be required prior to an accreditation decision if major changes have occurred in the program that may impact the program's ability to meet the Standards of Accreditation.

Initial Accreditation – New programs that have made significant progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. The program will remain on Initial Accreditation until achieving Full Accreditation, or for a period not to exceed five years. Programs with Initial Accreditation classification may be placed on Probationary Accreditation, if the program does not provide continuing evidence of progress toward meeting all Standards, or if it has been on Initial Accreditation status for five years. A special site visit may be required prior to an accreditation decision if major changes have occurred in the program that may impact the program's ability to meet the Standards of Accreditation.

Probationary Accreditation – An accreditation status that may be assigned to a program that has specific deficiencies in one or more Standards. The deficiencies are of such a nature that they can be corrected in a reasonable length of time, not to exceed two years. Prior to expiration of this prescribed period, the CVTEA may either review requested reports, request than an institutional representative appear before the CVTEA, or conduct a special site visit to determine if the deficiencies have been corrected. Probationary accreditation is not an adverse accreditation decision.

If at the end of the two-year time period, deficiencies have been corrected and there is evidence to support full compliance, the Program may be granted the appropriate level of accreditation for the remainder of the accreditation cycle, as determined by the CVTEA. A program which has been fully accredited previously may only return to Full Accreditation, while a new program that had been on Initial Accreditation may be returned to Initial Accreditation for no longer than the balance of the five-year maximal period for Initial Accreditation. Conversely, if at the end of the two-year time period, the program can provide reasons acceptable to the CVTEA for its inability to comply with all the Standards, the CVTEA may by majority vote extend Probationary Accreditation for good cause for a further period not to exceed one year. Interim measures must be taken to ensure education of veterinary technician students. If the reasons for non-compliance do not have merit, the CVTEA must take immediate action to place the program on Involuntary Terminal Accreditation.

Administrative Probation – An accreditation status assigned by the CVTEA administratively when an institution/program is not in compliance with 1 or more of the following administrative requirements to maintain accreditation:

  1. Payment of accreditation-related fees and charges as invoiced;
  2. Submitting reports or other required information;
  3. Agreeing to a reasonable on-site evaluation visit date at or near the time established by the CVTEA.

Administrative Probation is an accreditation category and is not subject to appeal. Although the institution/program is recognized and listed as accredited during the period of administrative probation, failure to completely remedy the situation by the date specified in the administrative probationary letter may result in an adverse action up to and including Accreditation Withdrawn. Complete resolution of the situation cited in the administrative probationary letter will satisfy the administrative requirements and result in restoration of the accredited status. Penalty fees may be assessed a program on Administrative Probation accreditation.

Voluntary Terminal Accreditation – Voluntary Terminal Accreditation applies to programs that are voluntarily closing. The classification of voluntary terminal accreditation is intended to protect enrolled students from the disadvantage of graduating from a non-accredited program and may continue no longer than necessary to protect the educational interests of such students. Students enrolled at the time a program is granted voluntary terminal accreditation will be considered graduates of an accredited program when they complete the curriculum. No new students may be enrolled during the period of voluntary terminal accreditation.

Involuntary Terminal Accreditation - An accreditation status assigned to a program unable to correct deficiencies within the specified time period during Probationary accreditation. This is an adverse accreditation decision. Appeal procedures are outlined in Procedure for Appeal of Adverse Decisions on Accreditation. Students enrolled at the time a program is granted involuntary terminal accreditation will be considered graduates of an accredited program when they complete the curriculum.

Accreditation Withdrawn – Previously accredited programs that have had their accreditation withdrawn will be classified as Accreditation Withdrawn. Graduates of the program at the time of withdrawn accreditation will not be considered graduates of an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program.