VetTech

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ measure to ensure anyone practicing as a veterinary technician is licensed and trained from an accredited program was signed into law on Friday.

“Veterinarians go through a lot of hard to work to become certified,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Now we can reward our certified vet techs by raising the bar in the field.”

House Bill 3360 requires anyone referring to themselves as a veterinary technician to be licensed with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The bill ensures veterinary technicians have graduated from an accredited program and passed the exam required for the license. The bill also requires vet techs to visibly display their license in their office.

House Bill 3360 is an initiative of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. Hastings took on the bill in response to members of ISVMA calling for the state to align veterinary medicine with other health care professions. House Bill 3360 also gained support from Lavitt Animal Hospital, Mulford Animal Hospital, New Hope Veterinary Clinic, DeVries Animal Hospital and County View Veterinary Service.

“It clearly defines who can use titles like veterinary technicians, vet tech, technicians and VT – in addition to the already protected titles of Certified Veterinary Technician, or CVT,” said ISVMA president Dr. Matt Bussan. “It also mandates public display of licenses for both CVTs and veterinarians.”

House Bill 3360 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.