OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

South Carolina Veterinary Technician — Requirements & Free Practice

US-SC · License preparation

364 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Licensed Veterinary Technician

State licensure for veterinary technicians regulated by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Application information

Licensure by examination (applicants already licensed in another state apply on the same route)
Applicants Licensed Elsewhere
South Carolina has no separate veterinary technician endorsement statute: S.C. Code § 40-69-260 licenses persons licensed to practice veterinary medicine in another state; the Board page lists license verification for "Endorsement Applicants" within this same application.
Application
Completed Board application with fee; application and documents are valid for one year from the initial application date (S.C. Code § 40-69-230(A); S.C. Code Regs. 120-4.A).
Denial
The application may be denied on any ground for which the Board may discipline a licensee (S.C. Code §§ 40-69-110, 40-69-130).
Education
Graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited veterinary technology program; certified transcripts sent directly to the Board (S.C. Code § 40-69-230(D)(2); S.C. Code Regs. 120-4.B).
Former Licensees Lapsed Three Years Or More
A veterinary technician whose license has been lapsed for three years or longer must meet the requirements in effect at the time of application for a new license (S.C. Code Regs. 120-5.B(2)) and therefore applies on this route.
Good Standing
Good standing with every state in which the applicant holds or has held a license, with verification sent from each such state (Board application overview item 4; Board license requirements page item A.3).
Jurisprudence Passing Score
A score of 70 or higher on the SC Jurisprudence Examination; an applicant who fails may retake it after 24 hours (Board application overview; Board license requirements page item C).
Minimum Age
At least eighteen years of age (S.C. Code § 40-69-230(D)(1)).
Other National Examinations
S.C. Code § 40-69-230(E) also lets the Board accept "other nationally recognized examinations approved by the board"; no official source identifies any such examination.
Vtne Score
Certified minimum passing VTNE score as set by AAVSB, with scores sent to the Board by AAVSB (S.C. Code Regs. 120-4.C(1); Board application overview).
Certificate for a person certified as a veterinary technician before August 2, 1981
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Prior Certificate
Issued a certificate to work as a veterinary technician by the South Carolina State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners before August 2, 1981, and pays the required fee (S.C. Code § 40-69-230(G)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-08-29.

Reinstatement of a license lapsed less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Fees
The Board package lists a veterinary technician license reinstatement fee of $100.
Board Jurisprudence Demand
The Board's reinstatement application package (Rev. 07/25/25), a lower-ranked implementation source than S.C. Code Regs. 120-5.B(1), states: "4. You must successfully pass the SC Jurisprudence Examination." The Board states it will ask reinstatement applicants to pass that examination (score of 70 or higher).
Lapse
License lapsed within three years (S.C. Code Regs. 120-5.B(1)); a license lapsed three years or longer requires a new application under the examination route (120-5.B(2)).
Requirements
Satisfactory evidence of continuing education, if applicable, and payment of the renewal fee plus the applicable penalty (S.C. Code Regs. 120-5.B(1); S.C. Code § 40-69-250(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-05-23.

Biennial license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Twelve hours of continuing education per biennium, at least six in veterinary medical subjects and at least six live (S.C. Code Regs. 120-6.A(1)(b), (4)); waived for the first year of licensure (120-6.B(1)).
Renewal
Renewal fee and Biennial Renewal Form; the license is valid for no more than two years (S.C. Code § 40-69-250(A); S.C. Code Regs. 120-5.A).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-05-23.

Temporary License to Practice Veterinary Technology

Non-renewable temporary license for a veterinary technology examination applicant, valid until the Board acts on the permanent-license application (S.C. Code § 40-69-240).

Licensing authority: South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Application information

Temporary license for an examination applicant
Veterinary Technician National Examination
Duration
Valid only until the Board acts on the permanent-license application after successful completion of the next regularly scheduled examination. Generally not renewable and only one temporary license per person. Under S.C. Code § 40-69-240(B), the Board may renew the temporary license when illness, accident, or another reasonable condition beyond the person's control prevents attendance at the examination, until the Board can act on the application after completion of the required examination.
Employment
Evidence of employment by a South Carolina veterinarian, verified in writing (Board license requirements page item D.1(g)).
License In Another State
The Board page states: "Application must be a holder of a current and unrestricted veterinary technician license in another state." S.C. Code § 40-69-240(C)(3)-(4) provides supervision levels both for temporary licensees who hold a license in another state (direct or indirect supervision) and for those who do not (direct supervision).
Statutory Qualifications
Satisfies the qualifications and requirements of S.C. Code § 40-69-230, has filed an application to take the examination, has paid the temporary license fee in addition to the examination fee, and holds a degree in veterinary technology (S.C. Code § 40-69-240(A)).
Vtne Results
The Board page requires a certified copy of national board examination results with the temporary license application (Board license requirements page item D.1(c)).

emergency limited license

Emergency limited license for a veterinary technician licensed and in good standing in another jurisdiction, for response efforts during a declared emergency or natural disaster (S.C. Code § 40-69-30(B)).

Licensing authority: South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Emergency limited license during a declared emergency or natural disaster
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Emergency Declaration
An official declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor or delegated state official and an official invitation by the Governor for a specified time (S.C. Code § 40-69-30(B)(1)(a)-(b)).
License Elsewhere
Licensed and in good standing as a veterinary technician in another jurisdiction, with documentation of that license (S.C. Code § 40-69-30(B)).
Scope
Practice limited to response efforts in locations in South Carolina.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2019-05-16.

South Carolina State Law and Ethics Examination

Provider
South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (online, SC LLR eService)
Format
Online, open book
Passing score
70 or higher
Examination outline
  • S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 69 - Veterinarians (including Article 5, Telehealth for Veterinary Services, added by 2026 Act No. 102)
  • S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 120 - Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
  • S.C. Code of Regulations 99-47 - Compounding of Veterinary Drug Preparations
Examination sources

Veterinary Technician National Examination

Provider
American Association of Veterinary State Boards
Format
Three-hour multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
170 multiple-choice questions; 150 scored operational questions and 20 pilot questions
Examination outline
  • Pharmacy and Pharmacology (13%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to the use of pharmacological, chemical, and biological agents.
    • Prepare medications in compliance with veterinarian's orders.
    • Calculate medications, fluid therapy rate, and continuous rate infusions based on the appropriate dosage in compliance with veterinarian's orders.
    • Dispense medications in compliance with veterinary orders.
    • Maintain controlled drug inventory, related logbooks, and medical records.
    • Recognize classifications of drugs, their mechanisms, and clinically relevant side effects.
    • Store, handle, and safely dispose of pharmacological, chemical, and biological agents.
  • Surgical Nursing (13%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to surgical nursing.
    • Prepare the surgical environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the surgical team and patient.
    • Prepare patient for surgical procedure.
    • Function as a sterile surgical technician to ensure patient safety and procedural efficiency.
    • Function as a circulating (non-sterile) surgical technician to ensure patient safety and procedural efficiency.
    • Clean instruments by the appropriate method (including but not limited to manual, soak, or ultrasonic).
    • Maintain aseptic conditions in surgical suite and during surgical procedures.
    • Maintain the surgical environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the surgical team and patient.
    • Sterilize equipment and supplies by the appropriate method (including but not limited to steam, gas).
  • Dentistry (7%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to dentistry.
    • Prepare and maintain the environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the dental team and patient.
    • Perform Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) (including but not limited to scaling and polishing; manual and machine).
    • Produce diagnostic dental radiographs.
  • Laboratory Procedures (9%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to laboratory procedures.
    • Prepare and maintain specimens and documentation for in-house or outside laboratory evaluation.
    • Perform laboratory tests and procedures (including but not limited to microbiology, serology, cytology, hematology, urinalysis, and parasitology).
    • Maintain laboratory equipment and related supplies to ensure safety and quality of results.
  • Animal Care and Nursing (20%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to patient care and nursing.
    • Document and manage initial and ongoing evaluations of patient to provide optimal care (including but not limited to physical, behavioral, nutritional, clinical procedures, and mentation status).
    • Perform nursing procedures and maintenance of prescribed treatments (including but not limited to catheterization, wound management, and bandaging).
    • Perform clinical procedures to aid in diagnosis and prognosis (including but not limited to blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography, and tonometry).
    • Provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for patient to ensure optimal healthcare and client/personnel safety.
    • Maintain diagnostic equipment and related supplies to ensure safety and quality of results.
    • Administer medications via the appropriate routes (including but not limited to topical, intravenous, subcutaneous).
    • Collect specimens for in-house or outside laboratory evaluation.
    • Recognize and respond to behavioral characteristics of patient.
    • Restrain patient with or without equipment for treatment following safety protocols.
  • Diagnostic Imaging (6%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to diagnostic images.
    • Produce and document diagnostic images and/or radiographs (excluding dental) following protocols for safety and quality of results.
    • Maintain imaging/radiograph equipment and related materials to ensure safety and quality of results.
  • Anesthesia (13%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to anesthesia.
    • Assist in the development and implementation of an anesthetic plan to ensure patient safety and procedural efficacy.
    • Prepare anesthetic equipment and related supplies to ensure operator and patient safety.
    • Maintain anesthetic equipment and related materials to ensure reliable operation.
    • Establish and maintain a patent airway using endotracheal intubation.
    • Monitor and respond to patient status during all stages of anesthesia (pre-, peri-, and post-).
  • Emergency Medicine/Critical Care (7%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to emergency medicine and critical care.
    • Perform triage of a patient presenting with emergency/critical conditions (including but not limited to shock, acute illness, acute trauma, and toxicity).
    • Perform emergency nursing procedures (including but not limited to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), control acute blood loss, and fracture stabilization).
    • Perform critical care nursing procedures (including but not limited to blood component therapy, fluid resuscitation, and ongoing oxygen therapy).
    • Perform ongoing evaluations of physical, behavioral, nutritional, and mentation status of patient in emergency and critical conditions.
  • Pain Management/Analgesia (7%)
    • Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as it applies to pain management and analgesia.
    • Recognize need for analgesia in patient.
    • Assist in the development and implementation of the pain management plan to optimize patient comfort and/or healing.
  • Communication and Veterinary Professional Support Services (5%)
    • Educate the client about animal care, risks, and side effects to promote and maintain the health of animals and the safety of client/public (including but not limited to behavior, nutrition, pharmacological/biological/chemical agents, dental health, anesthetic procedures, pain assessment/management, pre- and post-operative care, preventative care, zoonosis)
    • Maintain professional communication in all client and veterinary team interactions.
    • Collect patient information (including but not limited to signalment, medical history, primary complaint).
    • Provide assistance with the euthanasia process (including but not limited to consent, aftercare, grief management).
Examination sources