We want you to be ready to apply! Here is a short FAQ to help you understand some early requirements and prepare for your application year:
- What is changing?
The AVNT is looking to update how submissions are received and the submission timing of certain application components. Additionally, the format in which we ask candidates to validate their skills and knowledge may differ from current expectations. The AVNT is also evolving to meet the needs of those working part-time or on short-term leave from the field (maternity/paternity leave for example). Specialty-focused accrued work experience hours will now be extended to cover a five (5) year period as long as the candidate is credentialled during the entire period where hours are accrued.
- What is not changing?
The advanced skills list was obtained through a job survey and thus, these skills remain the current skill expectation for a VTS (Nutrition). The application process is not lowering the minimum working expectations either as a credentialed veterinary technician/technologist/nurse (3 years) or the minimal accrued specialty-focused work experience hours (4000 hours). Additionally, candidates are still expected to meet continuing education requirements (40 hours), collect nutrition-focused cases (40-60), create case reports (5), and submit potential examination questions (3).
- How can I prepare for my application year?
Here are some key elements to help prepare for the application year:
A candidate is required to have one supervisor at each practice/business where they will be obtaining specialty-focused work experience. Ideal supervisors are Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists ®, or a VTS (Nutrition). Alternative supervisors can be a veterinarian board-certified in another field, a VTS-certified in another field, or a credentialed veterinarian.
A candidate is required to be a credentialed veterinary technician/technologist/nurse for a minimum of 3 years prior to October 1, 2025.
A candidate is required to have accrued at least 4000 specialty-focused (animal nutrition) work experience hours by March 15, 2026. Hours can be accrued in the five years immediately preceding March 15. 2026.
A candidate is required to submit a minimum of forty (40) hours of RACE-approved or equivalent continuing education focused on animal nutrition by March 15, 2026.