Subject of Possible Rule Making: Consider expanding approved continuing education activities and programs including courses offered electronically. Rules under consideration are WAC 246-933-401 Citation and purpose, 246-933-420 Basic requirement -- Amount, 246-933-440 Exceptions, 246-933-450 Qualification of program for continuing education credit, and 246-933-460 Programs approved by the veterinary board.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.92.030.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Licensees are limited to attendance at a recognized local, state, national, or international continuing education program with a featured speaker. The purpose of this review is to consider alternate types of continuing education activities such as independent study, correspondence courses, journal reading or courses offered electronically through video or internet studies. Revised rules would provide more flexibility in obtaining continuing education credits. Licensed veterinarians are required to complete thirty hours of continuing education every three years. The intent is not to increase the number of required hours, only to expand access.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Judy Haenke, Program Manager, Veterinary Board of Governors, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov, (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 586-4359.

December 6, 2005

Steven Saxe

Executive Director