I'm speaking more in terms of insurance liability -- I understand some states you aren't allowed to become a tech without passing your boards or some sort of equivalent exam, but my point is that eventhough THIS IS THE LAW, some clinics STILL hire people on as "understudies" to the vet where the vet "Trains" them to become a tech with hands-on training, then "calls" them a tech, eventhough they have no former schooling OR certification. These techs then may or may not perform surgeries, but if you aren't licensed you shouldn't even be able to do stuff with animals such as give shots or draw blood because it's a HUGE insurance liability.