VTNE Test Dates 2025 and 2026: Exam Windows, Deadlines, and How to Register

The VTNE is offered in four rolling 2-month exam windows throughout the year. Knowing the exact testing periods — and the deadlines to submit your application — is the first step toward getting licensed as a veterinary technician.

2025 and 2026 VTNE Exam Windows

Starting in 2025, the AAVSB moved to a year-round four-window schedule administered through PSI. Each window runs for two months, giving candidates flexibility in when they sit for the exam.

Note: These windows repeat every calendar year. The AAVSB application is always open — you can apply any time — but all required materials must be received by the deadline to be approved for a given window. If materials arrive after the deadline, your application rolls to the next window automatically.

What Changed in 2025

The AAVSB made significant updates to the VTNE program beginning in 2025 that every candidate should know about:

• New exam vendor: PSI replaces Pearson VUE. All scheduling now goes through PSI, not Pearson VUE.
• Four windows per year replace the old two-window-per-year model, giving candidates more options.
• Always-open applications — there is no longer a specific application opening date. Apply whenever you are ready.
• Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is now available alongside in-person PSI test centers.
• Faster score reporting — preliminary results appear in your portal within 3 days of testing.

How to Register for the VTNE

The application process runs through the AAVSB and PSI. Here is each step in order:

1. Create a MyAAVSB account at aavsb.org. This is your central portal for the entire VTNE process.
2. Complete the online application. Enter your personal information and educational background. Select your preferred exam window during this step.
3. Pay the exam fee — currently $375. You can also redeem a program or employer voucher at this stage instead of paying out of pocket.
4. Have your transcript sent directly to the AAVSB. Your AVMA- or CVMA-accredited program must submit your final transcript directly — you cannot submit it yourself. Some state boards also require a separate state-level application before you can test.
5. Wait for eligibility approval. The AAVSB reviews your materials and sends a confirmation once you are cleared. This step can take a few weeks, so apply early.
6. Schedule with PSI. After approval, log into MyAAVSB to retrieve your Candidate ID. Use it to log into PSI and book a test center location and time slot — or choose Live Remote Proctoring from home.

You can book your appointment up to 48 hours before the end of the exam window. Scheduling earlier gives you more location and time slot choices.

Exam Format and Passing Score

Understanding the exam structure helps you focus your preparation where it matters most.

• 170 multiple-choice questions total — 150 are scored; 20 are unscored pilot questions randomly mixed in and not identifiable
• 3-hour time limit
• Passing score: 425 on a 200–800 scaled score range
• Blueprint-weighted domains (9 total): Animal Care and Nursing (20%), Pharmacy and Pharmacology (13%), Surgical Nursing (13%), Anesthesia and Pain Management (12%), Laboratory Procedures (9%), Dental Nursing (7%), Emergency Medicine and Critical Care (7%), Pain Management and Analgesia, and Diagnostic Imaging
• National first-attempt pass rate: approximately 70%

When Will You Receive Your Score?

The 2025 system improvements significantly reduced wait times:

• Immediately after the exam: PSI emails you an individual score report as soon as you finish
• Within 3 business days: Pass or fail result appears in your MyAAVSB portal
• Approximately 6 weeks after the exam: Full official score report is posted to MyAAVSB — this is the document your state board uses for licensure decisions

Retake Policy

If you do not pass on your first attempt:

• You must wait at least 30 days between attempts
• The AAVSB allows up to 5 total attempts, but individual state boards can impose stricter limits or require prior board approval before allowing a retake
• You must submit a new application and pay the full $375 fee for each retake
• Check your specific state board rules — some require documented remediation between attempts

Rescheduling and Cancellation Rules

• Reschedule within the same window: Free, handled directly through PSI, subject to seat availability
• Defer to the next exam window: $90 fee, must be requested at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment time
• No-show or cancellation within 48 hours: You forfeit the full exam fee with no refund

Where to Take the Exam

There are two ways to sit for the VTNE:

• PSI Test Center: In-person at hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada. You select your preferred site when scheduling through PSI after receiving eligibility approval.
• Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): Take the exam from any private, quiet room with a webcam and a stable internet connection. A live PSI proctor monitors the session in real time via video feed.

Tips for Choosing Your Exam Window

• Apply 6 to 8 weeks before your target window deadline. Transcript processing, AAVSB review, and any back-and-forth with your school can all take time. Do not wait until the last week.
• Align your window with your graduation date. Your school cannot send a final transcript until you graduate. Most new graduates target the May–July or August–October window depending on their spring or summer graduation.
• Allow enough study time after graduation. Candidates who pass on the first attempt typically study for 4 to 8 weeks. Choosing a window with adequate prep time is more important than testing as early as possible.
• Book your PSI seat early. Popular test center locations fill up quickly, especially in the weeks before the application deadline. Once you are approved, schedule immediately.
• Verify your state board requirements separately. Many state boards have their own licensure application that runs parallel to the AAVSB process. Filing both at the same time avoids delays in getting your license after you pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which exam window to apply for?

Yes. You select your preferred window during the AAVSB application. As long as all required materials arrive before that window deadline, you will be approved to test in it. If your materials arrive late, your application carries over to the next window automatically.

What if my school has not sent my transcript yet?

The AAVSB cannot approve your application until they receive your official transcript directly from your accredited program. Contact your registrar early — transcripts can take 1 to 3 weeks to process and deliver. This is the most common cause of missed window deadlines.

Do all states require the VTNE?

Approximately 41 states have mandatory, regulated veterinary technician credentialing that requires passing the VTNE. Several states — including Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — do not regulate the title, making the VTNE voluntary there. North Carolina is unique: it requires candidates to pass both the VTNE and a separate 50-question NC State Board Exam covering the state Practice Act. Always verify requirements with your specific state licensing board before applying.

Is there a fee to reschedule?

Rescheduling to a different date within the same exam window is free through PSI. Moving to a different window entirely costs $90, and the request must be made at least 48 hours before your original appointment or the fee is forfeited entirely.

What score do I need to pass?

A scaled score of 425 or higher on the 200 to 800 scale is the AAVSB-recommended passing standard. Individual state boards set their own official passing threshold, which may differ slightly, so check with your licensing authority.