Credentialing
Credentials – The current terminology
recognized by decree of both NAVTA and the AVMA
is "Veterinary Technician." Whether
you are an LVT, RVT or CVT the term used is
mandated by the technician’s state of
residence Here are some definitions to help
understand why all three terms are in use.
Certification – is the
recognition by the private sector of voluntarily
achieved standards. Certification is most usually
bestowed by a private sector, nonprofit, professional
association or independent board on those members
who achieve specified standards. Certification
is therefore distinguished from licensure because
it is generally nongovernmental and voluntary.
Confusion can result when the title certified
is used for a licensed profession, such as Certified
Public Accountant. Many CVTs in the U.S. are
recognized by government agencies such as boards
of veterinary medical examiners, which also
adds to the confusion.
Registration – refers
to the keeping of lists of practitioners by
a governmental agency. It can be equivalent
to licensure but may also be distinguished from
licensure in that criteria for registration
may not exist, and registration may not be required
for practice.
Licensure/Licensing –
is understood as the permission to do something
as given by an authority, with the implication
that one would not be permitted to do this thing
without permission. To be licensed is more than
a statement of qualification, as certification
is. It is a statement of qualification, and
it is the right to do a thing otherwise not
permitted by a given authority.
Both certification and licensure, however, carry
the connotation of trust, belief, and confidence,
for without these attributes, the certification
or the license would have little worth.
Multiple titles can be very confusing for the
public. In order to simplify this we recommend
the use of the credentialed Veterinary Technician.
We use the word credential not only to denote
licensure and certification, but also to connote
an affective element inherent in these terms.
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