Joint Statement from AVTE, AAVSB, and AVMA
January 12, 2026
In October 2025, leaders from the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE), the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convened in person to discuss strengthening the future of veterinary technician education, credentialing, and support systems across the profession. [October 9, 2025 Joint Statement]
Last week, that work continued during the Veterinary Leadership Conference in Chicago, where we welcomed the new leadership of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) into the conversation as an important voice in this growing effort.
At our initial meeting in October, we were encouraged by the spirit of openness, optimism, and shared responsibility that shaped the discussion. That same energy was evident again in Chicago, where we took meaningful initial steps in a joint effort to assess how CVTEA accreditation standards align with the VTNE Job Task Analysis (JTA).
Working alongside volunteer leaders and staff from AVMA’s CVTEA team, we conducted a full “cross walk” between the accreditation standards and Job Task Analysis. In the process, our expanded team identified areas between the job task analysis and accreditation requirements that warrant further research. This research may reveal a gap, or it may show that there is not. Our organizations are committed to conducting this research through the AVMA Convention this summer in Anaheim, where we will reconvene in person to review the findings and discuss potential next steps.
Additional outcomes from this second meeting included:
- An update on AAVSB’s technology review, which will be shared separately with the AVTE community.
- Exploration of potential joint research initiatives focused on increasing understanding of the VTNE, student success, and broader technician utilization.
- Initial planning for in-person “fireside chats” at each organization’s upcoming conference, where we will take the stage together to share progress to date, invite open dialogue, and continue this shared walk forward.
While our organizations each have unique responsibilities, we are united in our commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and the well-being of students, professionals, and the public.
This was a productive and energizing meeting. We left Chicago confident that, while the path forward may be complex, the steps ahead will bring us closer and benefit the communities we serve.
We must also recognize that collaboration requires listening, compromise, and trust. No organization or individual will get everything they hope for, but we continue to find strength in our shared willingness to lean in, learn together, and stay focused on the greater good.
In that spirit, we reaffirm our shared commitment to AVTE’s guiding principle of One Community—to work in partnership, respect each organization’s role, and support the systems that serve veterinary technician education with care and integrity.
Our work continues, and we remain committed to keeping our communities informed as we move forward together.
Jim Weisman, DVM
Chief of Academic Affairs, Research & Accreditation, AVMA
James T. Penrod, CAE, FASLA
Chief Executive Officer, AAVSB
Tricia Gorham, CVT, FVTE
President, AVTE
Todd Von Deak, DBA, CAE
Executive Director, AVTE
#Research