WSR 07-10-122

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH


(Veterinary Board of Governors)

[ Filed May 2, 2007, 9:40 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-24-112.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Veterinary board of governors, 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, 246-933-460 Programs approved by the veterinary board, and new section WAC 246-933-465 Self-study continuing veterinary medical education activities.

     Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, Center Point Corporate Park, Conference Room Two, 20435 72nd Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032, on June 11, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: June 11, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, web site http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 586-4359, by June 4, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Judy Haenke by June 4, 2007, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rules update and clarify existing continuing education rules, allow limited practice management courses and create a new section authorizing completion of self-study and electronically available courses. These rules do not propose an increase to the existing continuing education requirements or require that continuing education be earned in any specific category. The proposed rules expand the methods by which continuing education credits maybe earned by including methods that are often more accessible and less costly to complete.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Currently, licensees are limited to earning continuing education credit only through attendance at a recognized program having a featured speaker. The proposed rules expand the methods by which continuing education credits may be earned by including self-study methods that are often more accessible and less costly to complete.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.92.030.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.92.030.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of health, veterinary board of governors, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, (360) 236-4947.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No small business economic impact statement has been prepared because, under RCW 19.85.030(1), the proposed rule does not impose more than minor costs on businesses within the industry.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 586-4359, e-mail judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.

April 26, 2007

Lisa Salmi

Acting Executive Director

OTS-9541.2


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 108B, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91)

WAC 246-933-401   Citation and purpose.   These rules may be cited ((and referred to)) as the "Veterinary continuing education rules." The purpose of these rules is to ((require licensed veterinarians to continue their professional educations as a condition of maintaining a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state)) establish standards of continuing veterinary medical education. The rules provide for qualifying training methods, designating approved continuing veterinary medical education providers and setting minimum continuing veterinary medical education credit requirements.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-933-401, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91; Order 233, § 308-154-010, filed 2/16/77.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-05-060, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98)

WAC 246-933-420   Basic requirement -- Amount.   Continuing veterinary medical education consists of programs of learning which contribute directly to the advancement or enhancement of skills in the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry. Licensed veterinarians must complete thirty hours of continuing veterinary medical education every three years as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7. No more than ten hours can be earned in practice management courses in any three-year reporting period.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-933-420, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. 91-24-098 (Order 221B), § 246-933-420, filed 12/4/91, effective 1/4/92; 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-933-420, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91; Order 233, § 308-154-020, filed 2/16/77.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 221B, filed 12/4/91, effective 1/4/92)

WAC 246-933-440   Exceptions.   ((The following are exceptions from the continuing education requirements:

     Upon a showing of good cause by a licensee to the board,)) The board may ((exempt such licensee from any, all, or part of the continuing education requirement. Good cause includes, but is not limited to:

     (1) Illness;

     (2) Hardship to practice)) excuse from or grant an extension of continuing veterinary medical education requirements to a licensee due to illness or other extenuating circumstances.

     Licensees seeking an extension must petition the board, in writing, at least forty-five days prior to the end of the reporting period.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. 91-24-098 (Order 221B), § 246-933-440, filed 12/4/91, effective 1/4/92; 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-933-440, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91; 80-16-023 (Order PL 358), § 308-154-040, filed 10/29/80; Order 233, § 308-154-040, filed 2/16/77.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 108B, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91)

WAC 246-933-460   ((Programs)) Courses approved by the veterinary board.   ((Completion of the following are deemed to qualify an individual for continuing education credit: Attendance at a recognized local, state, national, or international continuing education program having a featured speaker.)) Courses offered by the following organizations are presumed to qualify as continuing veterinary medical education courses without specific prior approval of the board.

     (1) The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).

     (2) The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

     (3) The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.

     (4) Any board approved college or school of veterinary medicine.

     (5) Any state or regional veterinary association which is recognized by the licensing authority of its state as a qualified professional association or educational organization.

     (6) The American Animal Hospital Association.

     (7) Veterinary specialty boards recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

     (8) Regional veterinary conferences and allied organizations recognized by AAVSB.

     (9) The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE)

     (10) Other courses as approved by the board.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-933-460, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91; Order 233, § 308-154-060, filed 2/16/77.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 246-933-465   Self-study continuing veterinary medical education activities.   The board may grant continuing veterinary medical education credit for participation in self-study educational activities. The board may grant a licensee a total of ten credit hours under this section for any three-year reporting period. Self-study educational activities may include:

     (1) Credit for reports. The board may grant continuing education credit for reports on professional veterinary literature. Licensees must submit requests for credit at least sixty days prior to the end of the reporting period. The request must include a copy of the article, including publication source, date and author. The report must be typewritten and include at least ten descriptive statements about the article.

     (a) Professional literature approved for these reports are peer reviewed veterinary medical journals.

     (b) Each report qualifies for one credit hour. The board may grant a licensee up to five credit hours of continuing veterinary medical education under this subsection if the combined total of ten hours for all types of self-study continuing veterinary medical education is not exceeded.

     (2) Credit for preprogrammed educational materials. The board may grant a licensee continuing veterinary medical education credit for viewing and participating in board-approved formal preprogrammed veterinary educational materials. The preprogrammed materials must be approved by an organization listed in WAC 246-933-460, and must require successful completion of an examination. Preprogrammed educational materials include, but are not limited to:

     (a) Correspondence courses offered through magazines or other sources;

     (b) Cassettes;

     (c) Videotapes;

     (d) CD-ROM;

     (e) Internet.

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REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 246-933-450 Qualification of program for continuing education credit.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office