How Much Does the VTNE Cost? Fees Explained (2026)
As of September 2026, the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) costs $375 to apply, paid to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) as part of your application, with an eligibility review of up to 2 weeks clearing before you can select a testing window. That fee covers one seat in the testing window you apply for, delivered as a 170 question exam (150 scored, 20 unscored pretest items) with a 3 hour time limit. Changing your date, time, or location within the same window is free through your PSI portal, at least 48 hours before your appointment. Moving to a different exam window is what costs money: AAVSB charges a $90 administrative fee for a window transfer, allowed once per application, available up to 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. If you do not pass, or you miss your window entirely, there is no reduced rate: retaking the VTNE means paying the full $375 application fee again. On top of the AAVSB fee, your state or provincial veterinary board sets its own separate credentialing fees for licensure or registration, which are not included in what AAVSB charges. Here is exactly what the VTNE costs, what each fee covers, and what to budget for if you need to retake it.
Fee amounts are current as of September 2026 per AAVSB’s VTNE application pages. AAVSB fees can change; always confirm the current amount on your application before you pay.
What the $375 Application Fee Covers
The $375 fee is what AAVSB charges to process your VTNE application and reserve your seat in the testing window you select. You submit it, or redeem a voucher for it, when you file your online application through the AAVSB portal. That single fee covers your exam attempt for that window: the 170 question, 3 hour computer based test administered at a PSI testing center, plus delivery of your score report to your MyAAVSB portal and to the jurisdiction you designate. It does not cover anything beyond that one attempt. AAVSB states plainly that all application fees are final and nonrefundable, so if you do not take the exam during the window you applied for, you forfeit that fee entirely rather than receiving a refund or an automatic rollover.
Reschedules, Window Transfers, and Retakes Are Three Different Things
These are different situations with different costs. A reschedule means changing your appointment date, time, or location within the same testing window: that is free, done through your PSI portal at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. A window transfer means moving your exam to a different testing window: AAVSB charges a $90 administrative fee for that, and allows it only once per application, after which you cannot move your exam again. A retake is different: you already sat for the exam, did not pass (or your score expired before you used it), and now need a new attempt. There is no discounted retake rate. AAVSB requires a brand new online application and the full $375 fee each time you retake the VTNE, regardless of how many previous attempts you have made or how close your prior score was to passing.
| Fee type | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $375 | Every new VTNE application, first attempt or retake |
| Reschedule within your window | Free | Change date, time, or location inside the same window, via your PSI portal, at least 48 hours before your appointment |
| Window transfer fee | $90 | Moving to a different testing window; allowed once per application |
| Retake application fee | $375 (full amount) | Any new attempt after a prior sitting; no discount for repeat candidates |
| State or provincial credentialing fees | Varies by jurisdiction | Paid separately to your licensing or registration board, not to AAVSB |
State and Provincial Credentialing Fees Are a Separate Cost
The $375 AAVSB fee gets you the national exam. It does not cover licensure or registration in the state or province where you plan to work as a veterinary technician. Each state or provincial veterinary board sets, collects, and updates its own credentialing fees independently of AAVSB, and those fees are not standardized nationally. Before you budget for the full path to credentialing, check your specific board’s requirements and fee schedule directly, since amounts and processes differ by jurisdiction and AAVSB’s site is not the source for state specific pricing.
Testing Windows and Timing
AAVSB schedules the VTNE across multiple testing windows throughout the year rather than offering it continuously. You apply for a specific window, and AAVSB is explicit that you must take the exam during the window you applied for or you forfeit your application fee entirely, since fees are nonrefundable. Window dates and the number of windows offered in a given year can change, so confirm the current schedule in the VTNE Candidate Handbook or your AAVSB application portal before you plan around a specific date.
Budgeting for a Possible Retake
Because there is no reduced retake fee, the honest way to budget for the VTNE is to treat each attempt as a full $375 line item, not a one time cost. If you are not confident you will pass on the first try, building in the cost of a possible second attempt from the start, alongside focused preparation on your weaker content domains, is more realistic than assuming a single pass on the first sitting.
Want to walk into your $375 attempt with fewer surprises? Try our VTNE practice test, or start with a free VTNE practice test to see where your strongest and weakest domains stand before you pay for a seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the VTNE cost in 2026?
As of September 2026, the AAVSB VTNE application fee is $375. This is the fee AAVSB charges directly; it does not include separate state or provincial credentialing fees. Confirm the current amount on the AAVSB application portal, since fees can change.
Does the VTNE fee include a retake if I fail?
No. AAVSB requires a new application and the full $375 fee for every attempt, including retakes. There is no reduced rate for repeat candidates.
What does the reschedule fee cost, and when does it apply?
Rescheduling within your testing window is free through your PSI portal, at least 48 hours before your appointment. Moving to a different testing window costs a $90 administrative fee and is allowed once per application. Both are separate from the retake fee, which applies only after you have already taken and not passed the exam.
Are state licensing fees included in the VTNE application fee?
No. The $375 AAVSB fee covers the national exam only. Your state or provincial veterinary board charges its own separate fees for licensure or registration, and those amounts vary by jurisdiction.
Sources
- AAVSB, Applying to Take the VTNE
- AAVSB, Schedule and Take the VTNE
- AAVSB, Retake the VTNE
- AAVSB, Veterinary Technician National Exam
Med Preps is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). VTNE is a registered trademark of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For educational and exam preparation purposes only. Not a substitute for formal clinical training.