Finding time for veterinary continuing education isn’t easy. Whether you're a DVM or veterinary technician (VT), the daily pressures of clinical work, personal life, and everything in between can make CE feel like a daunting task. And since CE cycles typically span two to three years (depending on your state), it’s easy to let time slip by—only to realize you’re nearing the end of your cycle with several hours unaccounted for.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. But with the right mindset and a bit of planning, staying current with your veterinary CE can be smoother and more rewarding than you think.
Veterinary continuing education is a professional requirement in all 50 states, and for good reason—it ensures you’re equipped to provide the best care to patients. Whether you're keeping your DVM license active or meeting renewal requirements as a VT, CE should be viewed as a core responsibility, just like charting records or performing procedures.
Rather than treating CE as a side project or “when-I-have-time” task, try approaching it as a built-in part of your job. Schedule it during your work week, discuss CE options during team meetings, and seek out courses that align with your clinics goals. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about advancing your skills and maintaining high standards of care.
The best time to start your CE? The first quarter of your current CE cycle—not the final months. Starting early gives you breathing room to choose the veterinary CE that truly supports your growth. For example, enrolling in a comprehensive online certificate for veterinarians (or technicians) can help you accumulate a large chunk of required hours up front.
Planning ahead also means you can request time off, adjust work schedules, or arrange childcare in advance. And if you’re a practice manager or employer, encouraging early CE planning for your team helps support retention and compliance across the board.
Tip: Every state has its own CE requirements. Not all CE is created equal—some states only accept RACE-approved CE or limit online learning. Make sure you’re familiar with your state’s veterinary CE requirements before you begin.
While formal courses are important, there are plenty of everyday learning moments that also count toward CE—especially for veterinary technicians and RVTs, who often learn through hands-on collaboration. Did you assist in a surgical case with a senior vet? Lead a discussion on case management? Participate in clinical rounds?
These can all qualify as CE, provided they meet your state board’s criteria and you can articulate what you learned and how it improved your practice. To make the most of these moments:
Short on time? Micro-learning formats like podcasts, short videos, or module-based webinars can be an effective way to chip away at CE hours. Listening to a clinical podcast during your commute or watching a CE webinar on your lunch break is an easy way to fit learning into your routine.
But here's the catch: Not all states accept these formats. Some states limit how many hours can be earned through online or self-paced learning, while others may not accept audio-only formats at all.
Before counting podcast hours toward your requirements, ask yourself:
If the answer is no, it might be best to skip logging that episode, and instead look for online CE for veterinarians or techs that meets the official criteria.
Veterinary CE doesn’t have to be a solo journey. In fact, many veterinary professionals find that studying in a group — either virtually or in person — make it more enjoyable and sustainable.
Try this:
Veterinary continuing education is essential — but it doesn’t have to be stressful. When you reframe CE as part of your professional identity, plan early in your cycle, and track both formal and informal learning opportunities, the process becomes more manageable — and more meaningful.
And if you do find yourself nearing the end of your CE cycle with hours still to complete, we’ve got you covered. Explore our online certificate courses for veterinarians, our online vet tech certificates, to find something that fits your schedule.