1. Graduate of an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program and/or credentialed (CVT, LVT, RVT) to practice as
    a veterinary technician in some state or province of the United States or Canada.

2. A member of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA); recommended.

3. A member of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians (AZVT); STRONGLY recommended.

Five [5] years (a minimum of 10,000 hours) work experience in the field of zoological medicine. All experience must be completed within seven [7] years prior to application. Written verification of experience must come from the applicant's Human Resources (HR) department or direct supervisor/manager. Documentation shall include exact hours worked per year and total hours during the applicant's tenure.

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.

Completion of the Advanced Skills Lists. These lists document 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 three [3] years** prior to the application submission date can be included in the log. Further details are outlined on the Case Log form.
** Case Log qualifying dates are listed in the Submission & Deadline Information for each exam year.

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 (in order of desirability): an AVZMT member, a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM), or a supervising zoo veterinarian.