Internships

August Credentialing Freeze: All health professional and facility licensing systems will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Friday, August 22, until the morning of Tuesday, August 26, 2025. If your license expires during this time, please renew early to avoid delays. 

Veterinary Technician

Washington State law allows Veterinary Technician students to work under the supervision of a veterinarian as an intern. The Veterinary Board of Governors has approved a list of programs that permit student internships.  

RCW 18.92.060(4)(b) – Licensing Exemptions 
“Nothing in this chapter applies to: 

…(4)(b) a person performing assigned duties under the supervision of a veterinarian within the established framework of an internship program recognized by the board;"

Veterinary Technician Approved Internship Programs

Schools approved for veterinary technicians by the board under RCW 18.92.060(4)(b):

Bellingham Technical College

Approved: March 2014

Colby Community College, Colby, KS; Distance Learning

Approved: September 2024

Penn Foster College

Approved: March 2014

Pierce College, Lakewood, WA

Approved: December 2013

Pima Medical Institute, Seattle and Renton, WA

Approved: June 2014

Portland Community College

Approved: October 2013

San Juan College

Approved: March 2017

Thompson Rivers University

Approved: September 2017

Washington State University

Approved: June 2014

Yakima Valley Community College

Approved: March 2014

Veterinarian

Washington State law allows for veterinarian students to work as interns under either:  

  • The direct supervision of a veterinarian during a school vacation period 
  • The supervision of a veterinarian within an internship program approved by the Veterinary Board of Governors (board) 

RCW 18.92.060(4) – Licensing Exemptions 
“Nothing in this chapter applies to: 

…(4)(a) A person who is a regularly enrolled student in a veterinary school or training course approved under RCW 18.92.015 and performing duties or actions assigned by his or her instructors or working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian during a school vacation period or (b) a person performing assigned duties under the supervision of a veterinarian within the established framework of an internship program recognized by the board;"

Veterinarian Approved Internship Programs

The following program has been approved for veterinarian internships by the board under RCW 18.92.060(4)(b):

JBLM First Year Graduate Veterinary Education (FYGVE)
Approved: June 2016