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Veterinary Professional Associate Position Statement
Updated September 16, 2024, originally published January 31, 2023 

CACVT opposes the creation of a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA).

Over the past 5 years, CACVT has been involved at every step to redefine accessible veterinary care and promote the safe, effective utilization of RVTs. Colorado voters are now being asked to decide on the creation of a new regulated veterinary professional. Proposition 129 is being touted as an advanced career path for veterinary technicians. CACVT encourages the creation of advanced career pathways for RVTs, but there are many unknowns about this newly proposed profession that may detrimentally impact veterinary care in Colorado. Here are some facts we want you to know:

  • At least eight semesters of undergraduate school are required for admission to the proposed Master's Degree in Clinical Care at CSU.
    • Our demographic data shows <30% of Colorado's RVTs have a four-year degree or higher, meaning additional schooling and student loan debt to even apply to the Master's program.
  • Proponents of Proposition 129 claim that a VPA will be competent and allowed to diagnose, perform routine surgeries, and prescribe medication.
    • Only the State Board of Veterinary Medicine can determine if anyone other than a licensed veterinarian can perform surgery or diagnose medical conditions for animals in Colorado. So far, this has not been discussed or decided by them whether these tasks will be allowed by a VPA.
    • Federal regulations prohibit anyone other than a licensed veterinarian from prescribing medication for animals, which is enforced by the FDA. This is not something the State Board of Veterinary Medicine would be able to allow even if they wanted to; only an act of Congress can change this federal law.
  • There is currently no accredited national or state regulatory or professional organization for a VPA.
    • This means there is little to no oversight or structure provided for educational programs, national competency board testing, or regulatory structure for this position.
    • VPAs who complete current programs that do not fit future requirements may not be eligible for licensing or certification.
  • The liability is high. Proposition 129 states a VPA would be responsible for damages from any act deemed negligent when providing care to an animal.
    • Most veterinary professional liability insurance policies only cover the supervising veterinarian. There is no indication coverage would be expanded to VPAs.
  • Speculation about salary is suggesting a VPA's salary would be higher than an RVT's.
    • The additional student loan debt required to complete Bachelor's and Master's degrees may create further financial strain on the current veterinary technician workforce with little to no gain.
    • More data is needed to determine what, if any, increase in salary a VPA would have over an RVT or RVTS.
  • Proponents say there is no advanced career path for RVTs, but we know there is!

For the last 3 years, Colorado law has been modernized to meet today's needs and RVTs and VTSs can now partner more effectively with veterinarians to improve access to care. To make this even more successful, CACVT encourages the following actions:

  1. Robustly implement the current statutory solutions in HB24-1047, which expands the scope of practice for RVTs and VTSs and includes a CE requirement for veterinarians on how to optimally utilize RVTs, VTSs, and other personnel.
  2. Create advanced educational programs designed specifically to enhance the knowledge of RVTs and VTSs. (See LMU MVCC)
  3. Address barriers to achieving VTS certifications.
  4. Expand VTS pathways into much-needed sectors, such as shelter medicine.
  5. Increase support for RVTs pursuing a VTS, such as residency programs and financial aid.
  6. Pay all RVTs and VTSs a living wage to improve retention in the profession and reflect their education and competence.
CACVT is always in favor of promoting advanced career pathways for RVTs and VTSs. We want to see this done responsibly in a way that benefits Colorado's animals and veterinary technicians seeking to work at an advanced level.