Euthanasia by Injection (EBI)

Euthanasia by Injection (EBI)

image of giving an intravenous (IV) injection into the front leg of a dog
UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

Course Description

The EBI continuing education course is an on-demand, self-paced, online course that prepares students with the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to seek licensure as a Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET)  for animal shelters throughout the U.S.A. Instruction and documentation of proficiency with clinical skills is overseen by licensed veterinarians. The course is built upon the Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals as published by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). The course is also recognized by the Humane Society of the United States as being in concordance with their long-standing Euthanasia by Injection (EBI) in-person trainings for animal shelter staff members.  The course is equivalent to Florida state-mandated training required to become a Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET). Prospective students who reside outside of the state of Florida and who are interested in any online University of Florida programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are expected to inquire with the appropriate regulatory agency in their home state, prior to beginning the program in order to assure that the program is approved to provide the desired licensure or certificate.

Access to humane euthanasia for pets is often unavailable to people experiencing poverty or living in underserved communities. The University of Florida Maples Center for Forensic Medicine is making this valuable service available to a wider audience of pet owners by offering training for animal care professionals seeking to become Certified Euthanasia Technicians (CET). The presentation of material is easy to follow, engaging and very comprehensive. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in expanding equitable access to animal care and health resources for pets and people in their community.” – Rachel Thompson, The Humane Society of the United States, Senior Program Manager, Operations and Strategy, Pets for Life

RACE logo This program has been approved for 18 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.

If you are a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician who wants to receive a RACE CE certificate upon completion, please sign up for the section titled “EBI for RACE Credit” found here.

To ensure that you are placed in the correct section of this course,  please contact maples-center@ahc.ufl.edu upon enrollment.

Humane Society of the United States logo Approved for CEUs by the National Animal Control Association (NACA)logo of the National Animal Control Association (NACA)

The University of Florida Online Graduate Program in Shelter Medicine is an approved provider of content which enhances professional competence and aligns with the 5 domains of the CAWA Exam specifications.

Course Content and CE Hours

The course is delivered in two parts, that can be taken independently or consecutively.  18 Continuing Education (CE) Hours awarded after successful completion of both Parts 1 and 2 of the course. The course is taught by licensed veterinarians and requires local oversight by experienced CETs, Veterinary Technicians, and Licensed Veterinarians.

The course content is divided into two parts: ($400) for both parts, 18 CE hours total

  • Part 1 ($200): is equivalent to 14 CE hours of interactive lecture content about anatomy, pharmacology, proper administration and storage of euthanasia drugs, federal and state laws regulating the storage and accountability of euthanasia solutions, euthanasia technician stress management, and proper disposal of euthanized animals.

  • Part 2 ($200): is equivalent to 4 CE hours of hands-on, clinical skills competency training where students will practice and demonstrate proficiency with animal selection; proper handling of syringes and needles; calculating drug dosage; record-keeping for controlled drug logs;  low-stress handling of animals; giving SC, IM, IV, IP, and IC injections; verifying depth of anesthesia; verifying death; and proper body disposal. This part of the course requires local supervision by an experienced CET or Veterinary Technician and oversight by a locally licensed Veterinarian. 

  • NOTE: An optional, reusable toolkit of high-fidelity models of veins, hearts, and injection sites that can be used in place of animals for practice and demonstration of clinical skills is available for purchase from the supplier (Empowering Veterinary Teams®) for approximately $250. Please order 4 – 6 weeks in advance of starting Part 2 of this course.

For more detail, review the course syllabus here:  SYLLABUS  


For any additional questions, please contact the Maples Center Administrative Team.


RACE Approved Continuing Education

• Are you a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician who wants to receive 18 hours of RACE continuing education credit after completing the EBI course both Parts 1 & 2? Please sign up for the section titled “EBI for RACE Credit” found found here.

• Are you a licensed veterinarian who is an active ASV or HSVMA member and who is willing to support trainees at your local animal shelter as they learn to become certified euthanasia technicians (CETs)?  If so, please complete this application for a scholarship that will permit you to complete the same online Euthanasia by Injection (EBI) training course that shelter trainees take, and earn 18 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval for only $50! That’s a savings of $350!!

If you are selected for a scholarship, you will be notified promptly by email. Check that email for a personalized link to enroll in the online course for the discounted price of $50. Please do not share that link.  

To ensure that you are placed in the correct section of this course,  please contact maples-center@ahc.ufl.edu upon enrollment.