Credentialing Program
Program Overview &
Track Learning Focus
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The topic of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), cannabis medicine, and the essentials of harm reduction education (HRE) in veterinary and animal-care professions is globally-rooted, fast-paced, and expanding rapidly.
Our credentialing course prepares students to be mentally-agile and scientifically-critical in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. The goal of this course is to empower graduates to apply their experiences and skillsets as strong advocates for animal patients within the emerging cannabis industry.
The Veterinary Cannabis credentialing course provides participants with scientifically-accurate, medically-based information about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in mammals, the safe and scientific use of cannabis in veterinary patients, and guidance on interacting with other veterinary care team members and cannabis manufacturers and industry leaders.
Our credentialing program provides three available tracks based on the student's prior medical training and experience in addition to their geographic area and practice goals.
Every credential begins with our credentialing course, which delivers scientifically-accurate, medically-based education on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in mammals and the safe, scientific use of cannabis in veterinary patients — and prepares graduates, on any continent, to be thoughtful advocates for their patients and clear guides for the people who care for them.
The course is delivered as three tracks.
The Veterinary Cannabis Counselor (VCC) and Veterinary Cannabis Guide (VCG) tracks each lead to a certification; veterinarians earn a Cannabis-Knowledgeable Veterinarian completion certificate.
Which credential you apply for depends on your role and your practice needs and goals.
Credential | Designed For | Track Focus | Renewal / Ongoing CE? |
|---|---|---|---|
Veterinary Cannabis Counselor (VCC) | Veterinary technicians (credentialed and non-credentialed) — and, in specific clinical situations, veterinarians | Medical ECS support & cannabis HRE | Yes — 8 hrs every 2 years |
Veterinary Cannabis Guide (VCG) | Non-medical / non-veterinary professionals | Non-medical ECS support & cannabis HRE | No |
Cannabis-Knowledgeable Veterinarian | Veterinarians | Clinical ECS modulation & cannabis HRE | No |
For veterinary technicians (credentialed and non-credentialed).
The advanced counseling credential for those who wish to go further and hold an active, current title. VCCounselors provide ECS support and cannabis harm-reduction education and guidance, and they keep their knowledge current through continuing education.
The VCC title is formally earned and held only by those who have completed its requirements. It is designed for veterinary technicians — and, in specific clinical situations (such as practicing where a technician role is unavailable), veterinarians may also apply for and carry it.
The VCC title is the only credential that carries an ongoing continuing-education (CE) and renewal requirement.
Learn more about the Renewal Requirement.
Pre-requisites
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Age: 21+ years of age at the start of class.
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Language fluency: English (currently, English is the primary language for the self-paced lectures, written coursework, and classroom discussions).
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Experience: credentialed veterinary technician with 2 yrs clinical experience, or non-credentialed veterinary technician with 5 yrs clinical experience.
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Clinical recommendation: signed letters of recommendation from two veterinarians.
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Veterinarians pursuing VCC: veterinarians interested in also applying for a VCCounselor certification should indicate this on their application form and discuss with the program manager whether it is a good fit and to understand the requirements.
For non-medical / non-veterinary professionals.
A credential for non-medical and non-veterinary professionals who want to bring credible, science-based cannabis understanding to their work alongside veterinary and animal care teams. The VCGuide credential does not carry a continuing-education or renewal requirement.
Pre-requisites
-
Age: 21+ years of age at the start of class.
-
Language fluency: English (currently, English is the primary language for the self-paced lectures, written coursework, and classroom discussions).
-
Experience: associate or higher educational degree with a biology emphasis, and 5 years of animal-related professional experience.
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Clinical recommendation: signed letters of recommendation from two professionals, one of which is a veterinary professional (veterinarian, clinic manager, groomer, trainer, etc.).
For veterinarians.
A completion certificate awarded to veterinarians who finish the self-paced and classroom portions of the course — recognizing foundational, cannabis-specific veterinary education.
This credential does not carry a continuing-education or renewal requirement. Veterinarians who wish to go further — those in specific clinical situations, such as practicing where a technician role is unavailable — may also pursue the VCCounselor title.
Pre-requisites
-
Age: 21+ years of age at the start of class.
-
Language fluency: English (currently, English is the primary language for the self-paced lectures, written coursework, and classroom discussions).
-
Licensure: licensed or registered to practice as a veterinarian.
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Practice description: a 500 word (minimum) description of current veterinary practice.
Cannabis science and research progress quickly, and this requirement keeps every VCCounselor (VCC) current and credible in their ECS support and cannabis harm reduction education and guidance.
Renewal and CE requirements apply only to Veterinary Cannabis Counselors (VCCs).
VCGuides and Cannabis-Knowledgeable Veterinarians who do not hold the VCC title have no CE or renewal obligation. A veterinarian who earns and carries the VCC title is held to the same CE and renewal requirements as all other VCCounselors.
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Hours: 8 hours of continuing education every 2 years.
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Renewal fee: $45 USD, charged upon renewal submission.
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Submission: CE is submitted through the renewal form.