Adult learners and students who do not attend public school in Texas (age 16+) are eligible to sit for certification.
Applicants DO NOT have to use or complete the Texas A&M AgriLife curriculum to be eligible for the certification exam.
The following requirements must be met to sit for the examination:
- 200 hours of classroom coursework with an approved educator
- Supplemental classroom/curriculum documentation – use this to document events and classroom time outside of your regular curriculum, such as day camps, field trips, and presentations that do not include any hands-on clinical experiences.
- This does not need to be completed for your regular classroom/program hours, such as independent study, Virtual Veterinary Academy, or your alternate course program.
- 225 hours of hands-on clinical experience with a Licensed Veterinary Technician or DVM
- Supplemental CLINICAL documentation – use this form to document any additional locations or professionals that grant clinical hours outside your normal location such as overnight camps that grant clinical hours, special events that include hands-on clinical (i.e., vaccination clinic, spay/neuter opportunity, one-day ride-along with an ambulatory DVM)
- 100 skills competency demonstrated from the VSCP Skills List
Documentation Forms
If you need to document an event not sponsored by VSCP, please use the form below. This is for experiences such as field trips, day camps, or presentations for which no documentation is provided by the professional or event.
VSCP Exam Application Process
When an applicant has completed the requirements above, they may apply to sit for the examination by completing the documents below and submitting them to the VSCP Credentialing Coordinator.
The APPLICATION CHECKLIST will help you prepare your documents throughout the process.
- Purchase your exam
- Exam Application
- VSCP Skills List
- Proctor Information
- Submit your documentation to VSCP by email to vscpexam@ag.tamu.edu – ensure that you are only submitting PDF’s no other file formats are accepted.
Do not send any other documentation other than the exam application.
Exam Information
The VSCP exam for a veterinary assistant is offered online through AgriLife Learn. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The questions are derived from foundational industry-based skills that an entry-level veterinary assistant should be able to demonstrate regardless of the curriculum used. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to sit for the exam.