The Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians (AVZMT) is a provisionally approved specialty by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Veterinary Technicians who successfully meet the credential requirements and pass the AVZMT examination are designated as Veterinary Technician Specialists (Zoo).

Executive Board
Joan Maurer	President     Milwaukee County Zoo
Bonnie Soule	Vice President    Roger Williams Park Zoo
Jane Merkel	Secretary     Saint Louis Zoo
Dianna Lydick	Treasurer     Alexandria Zoo

AVZMT Examination Eligibility Requirements

• Graduate of an AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology Program and/or credentialed (AHT, RAHT, CVT, LVT, RVT) to practice as a veterinary technician in some state or province of the United States or Canada
• A member of NAVTA National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America [not required but strongly recommended]
• A member of AZVT (Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians) [not required]

If qualified, as listed above in number [1], applicants must meet experience and education requirements:

• Five years [a minimum of 10,000 hours] work experience in the field of zoo medicine. All experience must be completed within seven [7] years prior to application. Verification of experience can be in the form of pay stubs [personal information concealed] or written documentation from the applicant’s HR department.
• A minimum of forty [40] continuing education [CE] hours in zoological medicine or appropriate related topics. The continuing education must be obtained within the last five [5] years immediately prior to application submission. Proof of attendance, speaker names, topics and length of lectures are required. All CE hours are subject to approval by the Credentialing Committee.

Provide documented competence in advanced zoological medicine:

• Completion of the Advanced Skills Lists. These lists document those skills mastered by the applicant and are necessary to practice as a zoo veterinary technician at an advanced level. The completed forms are to be signed by a VTS [Zoo] coworker or supervising zoo veterinarian.
• A Case Log, with a minimum of forty [40] medical or surgical cases recorded. The cases must reflect the management of the patient and mastery of advanced skills as provided in the Advanced Skills Lists. Cases up to two [2] years prior to the application submission date can be included in the log. Further details are outlined on the Case Log form.
• Five [5] detailed Case Reports, chosen from the Case Log, must represent each of the following: mammal, avian, herptile [may include fish and invertebrates]. Further details are outlined in the Case Report document.
• Two [2] letters of recommendation from the following three [3] categories: an AVZMT member, a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine [ACZM], or a supervising zoo veterinarian.

Printable copy of requirements   AVZMT Examination Eligibility Requirements.pdf

Appeals Process document     AVZMT Process of Appeals.pdf

Suggested Reading List for Exam   AVZMT Suggested Reading List.pdf

 

 

 

The 2014 AVZMT exam will be held in early September on Jekyll Island, GA. See Application Information for forms and deadlines.

Check the site periodically or submit your email address through the AVZMT email link for any questions you might have.

Send your name and email address to: avzmt.email@gmail.com