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Colorado vet tech license transfer

Moving to Colorado with a credential from another state means applying to the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA) for the Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). Here is what that takes, what it costs to keep, and what the job pays here.

Written by VetTeamJobs editorial

Credentialed reviewer pending (we are recruiting an LVT/CVT reviewer; email us if that is you)

Updated October 2026. About 8 minutes.

Data Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA) (checked 2026-10-14); BLS OEWS May 2025

Colorado credential
RVT
state regulated
State exam
None listed
CE to keep it
See board
per CACVT credentialing cycle
Colorado vet tech median
$23.87
an hour, BLS May 2025

How we built this. Credential facts: Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA), read 2026-10-14. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Jobs: our live Colorado listings.

In this guide

    Colorado credential facts

    Checked against the board October 14, 2026
    Credential
    Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
    Who issues it
    Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA)
    VTNE
    Required
    State exam
    None listed by the board
    Continuing education
    per CACVT credentialing cycle
    Renewal
    Every 2 years, expires October 31 of even-numbered years
    Fees
    Not published on the pages we read; see the board fee schedule

    State registration began in 2022. The board says technicians renew by meeting the CE and credentialing requirements of a board-approved credentialing organization, currently the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT). Rule 1.9 on registration was in rulemaking in October 2026.

    State board website (last checked October 14, 2026)

    Step by step

    1. Check your education route. An AVMA-CVTEA or CVMA accredited degree is accepted. If your credential came from an on-the-job or alternate pathway, email the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA) before you do anything else.
    2. Request your VTNE score transfer from the AAVSB. Only the AAVSB can send an official score report. Do it first; it is the slowest document.
    3. Have your school send a transcript direct to the board, and request verification from every board where you have held a credential, active or lapsed.
    4. Apply. No separate state exam is listed by the board. Fees are on the board fee schedule.
    5. Keep it current. Every 2 years, expires October 31 of even-numbered years.

    Pay and jobs in Colorado

    The BLS median for vet techs in Colorado was $23.87 an hour in May 2025 ($49,650 a year), 10th percentile $18.18, 90th $29.03. VetTeamJobs lists 290 open tech, assistant, CSR, kennel and manager jobs in Colorado as of the last refresh, no DVM listings. The Colorado jobs page has the shift, setting and credential filters.

    The full path from zero is on how to become a vet tech in Colorado. Every other state is in the license transfer hub.

    Questions people search for

    colorado vet tech license transfer

    You apply to the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA) by endorsement: VTNE score sent by the AAVSB, transcript sent by your school, verification from every board where you have held a credential. The facts on this page were read on the board site on 2026-10-14.

    can you transfer vet tech license to colorado

    Yes, if you graduated from an AVMA or CVMA accredited program and passed the VTNE. Credentials earned through an on-the-job or alternate route may not be accepted; ask the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA) before you give notice. State registration began in 2022. The board says technicians renew by meeting the CE and credentialing requirements of a board-approved credentialing organization, currently the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT). Rule 1.9 on registration was in rulemaking in October 2026.

    how long does it take to become a vet tech in colorado

    If you are already credentialed elsewhere, the Colorado application is paperwork plus any state exam, usually weeks. Starting from zero, it is a two-year accredited degree, the VTNE, then the Colorado application. Our Colorado page covers the full path.

    how much do vet techs make in colorado

    BLS median $23.87 an hour ($49,650 a year) in May 2025, with a 90th percentile of $29.03. The US median was $22.78.

    Jobs that match this guide

    Pay-listed first. 7,515 open tech, assistant, CSR, kennel and manager jobs on the board, refreshed daily. No DVM listings. Every Apply goes to the clinic's own site.

    All Colorado jobs

    Registered Veterinary Technician

    Mission Pet Health (Southern Veterinary Partners) Group

    Eagle, CO

    • $22.00 to $26.00/hr
    • Full time
    • GP

    Posted yesterdayAt Colorado median

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    Sources

    1. Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (DORA)
    2. AAVSB: Veterinary Technician Regulated and Non-regulated Jurisdictions (updated 08/2026, PDF)
    3. AAVSB: Licensure assistance, score transfer and VAULT
    4. BLS OEWS May 2025 state data (download)

    Pay guides are re-run each spring when the new OEWS release lands; career and credential guides are re-checked against state boards every six months. If you spot something out of date, email bynumenterprisesbe@gmail.com and we will fix it.

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