Colorado Veterinary Licensing Explained: The Two Step Vet Tech Registration, 32 Hours of CE and the New Delegation Hours

Colorado has changed its veterinary rules more than any other state in the past two years. Voters created a new mid level role, the veterinary professional associate. Lawmakers expanded what technicians may do. Technicians now need two credentials. And from the 2026 renewal, every veterinarian must take CE on delegating to their team.

This guide covers how it all fits together. For the mid level role, see Colorado's veterinary professional associate.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in Colorado

The Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine sets the standards, and the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) issues licenses and registrations. It regulates:

• veterinarians and academic veterinarians;
• veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists; and
• veterinary professional associates (VPAs).

Veterinary technicians: two steps

Colorado protects the title. Anyone using the title veterinary technician must be registered with DORA. Under rules that changed on February 12, 2026, technicians must also hold and keep an active credential from the board approved credentialing organization, currently the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT).

So there are two linked steps, and both renew every two years:

1. The CACVT credential. For a technician coming from another state, the CACVT's Credential by Endorsement requires:
   • a technician credential from another state or province, in good standing, verified directly by that state;
   • graduation from an AVMA accredited program, with transcripts sent directly; and
   • a passing VTNE score. Scores from Colorado since January 1, 2009 are on file; others need a VAULT transfer through the AAVSB. The CACVT cycle runs July 1 of each even year to June 30 of the next even year, and the 2026 to 2028 credential fee is $100.
2. DORA registration, which is what actually authorizes use of the title. The CACVT credential alone does not.

Technicians who registered with DORA before February 12, 2026 now need a CACVT credential to renew their registration. The CACVT has a separate process for them.

Technician CE

Colorado technicians meet CE by keeping their CACVT credential, which has its own CE requirements, rather than reporting hours to the state directly.

Technician scope

House Bill 24-1047, signed in May 2024, clarified what veterinarians may delegate to trained staff, including medication administration, animal husbandry and shelter work, under defined supervision levels. See what a vet tech can legally do.

Veterinarians: 32 hours of CE

Each two year license period, veterinarians need at least 32 hours, with these rules:

• At least 2 hours of jurisprudence on the Colorado Veterinary Practice Act. The Colorado VMA notes one of the two hours covers the technician scope of practice law.
• At least 1 hour of substance use prevention training each period, covering opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing, chronic pain patients, recognizing and referring human substance use disorders, and the prescription drug monitoring program. Veterinarians who attest they do not prescribe opioids, or whose board certification requires equivalent training, may be exempt.
• New from the 2026 to 2028 period: 2 hours on supervision and delegation, including delegating to technicians, technician specialists and VPAs. The DPO says this requirement begins after November 1, 2026.
• Up to 16 hours may be nonbiomedical, such as leadership, personnel management, client relations, communication and wellness. Promotional presentations do not count.
• RACE approved courses are accepted automatically. Online courses count, live or recorded.
• Keep records for at least four years. The DPO audits after each period.

First renewal

A veterinarian licensed for 12 months or less before their first expiration owes no CE for that renewal; one licensed 12 to 24 months owes 16 hours.

VPAs

Veterinary professional associates need 28 hours of CE each two year registration period.

How to verify a Colorado license or registration

DORA's online license lookup covers veterinarians, technicians and VPAs. Search by name or number and confirm the credential type. For a technician, the DORA registration is what matters for the title. See how to verify a veterinary license.

What Colorado jobs pay

From Colorado technician postings that stated pay in Zuse's data in November 2026, the typical advertised rate was $27.50 an hour, above the national typical of $26.00. See veterinary technician pay by state.

How Zuse helps

Zuse Hire shows Colorado practices the licensed veterinarians and registered technicians nearby, checked against the state record. On Zuse Talent, Colorado veterinarians and technicians can claim their credential and browse vet tech jobs with pay shown.

Sources

• Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, Colorado Veterinary CE
• Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians, Transferring to Colorado
• Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, New CE requirement for 2026 license renewal: delegation and supervision
• Zuse, veterinary pay by state, November 12, 2026

Colorado's rules are changing quickly. Confirm the current requirements with the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine and the CACVT.

FAQ

Do vet techs need to be registered in Colorado?

Yes, to use the title. Technicians must be registered with DORA and, since February 12, 2026, also hold an active credential from the CACVT.

How do I transfer my vet tech credential to Colorado?

Apply to the CACVT for Credential by Endorsement with verification of your current credential, transcripts from an AVMA accredited program and VTNE scores, then register with DORA.

How much CE do Colorado veterinarians need?

At least 32 hours every two years, including 2 hours of jurisprudence, 1 hour of substance use prevention training and, from the 2026 to 2028 period, 2 hours on supervision and delegation.

What is the new Colorado delegation CE requirement?

Two hours each license period on supervising and delegating to technicians, technician specialists, VPAs and other staff, required from the 2026 to 2028 license period.

How much CE do Colorado VPAs need?

Twenty eight hours every two years.