Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: Veterinary technicians must complete an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved program. The AVMA recognizes the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) process for accreditation of Canadian veterinary technician programs. The amended rule recognizes veterinary technology or technician programs that are accredited by the CVMA. Recognition of accredited Canadian programs will reduce the barriers for Canadian graduates.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-935-060.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.92.030.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 09-13-098 on June 17, 2009.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: August 31, 2009.

Harmon A. Rogers, DVM, Chair

Veterinary Board of Governors

OTS-2293.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 02-02-046, filed 12/27/01, effective 1/27/02)

WAC 246-935-060   Eligibility for examination as veterinary technician.   Applicants must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the examination.

     (1) Completion of ((a)) an approved postsecondary educational program for animal or veterinary technology.

     (a) Completion of a program for animal or veterinary technology approved by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The board approves all institutions accredited by, and in good standing with, the AVMA. ((AVMA-accredited programs in veterinary technology means any postsecondary educational program of two or more academic years that has fulfilled the essential criteria established by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities and approved by the AVMA House of Delegates (AVMA/NAVTA Liaison Committee Model Practice Act adopted 1992).))

     (b) Completion of a program for animal or veterinary technology approved by the Animal Health Technologist/Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation Committee (AHT/VTPAC) of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The board approves all institutions accredited by, and in good standing with, the CVMA.

     (c) Other institutions applying for board approval must meet the accreditation standards of the CVTEA. It is the responsibility of the institution to apply for approval and of a student to ascertain whether or not a school has been approved by the board.

     (d) The examination may ((not)) be taken ((prior to)) no sooner than six months ((preceding)) before graduation from the approved course of instruction.

     (2) Graduation from a two-year curriculum in animal health or veterinary technology which is not accredited by the CVTEA or AHT/VTPAC plus a minimum of thirty-six months of full-time experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s) who must attest to the completion of that experience.

     (3) Award of a D.V.M. or V.M.D. degree or equivalent from an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited or listed college of veterinary medicine.

     (4) Registration, certification, or licensure as an animal health or veterinary technician in one or more states and thirty-six months of full-time experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s).

     (5) Completion of a course in veterinary technician education as a member of the United States military and completion of a tour of active duty as a veterinary technician or specialist.

     (6) Five years full-time experience as an unregistered assistant under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian(s) who must attest to the completion of that experience.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. 02-02-046, § 246-935-060, filed 12/27/01, effective 1/27/02; 93-12-126 (Order 368B), § 246-935-060, filed 6/2/93, effective 7/3/93; 91-24-098 (Order 221B), § 246-935-060, filed 12/4/91, effective 1/4/92; 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-935-060, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.015 and 18.92.030. 83-19-055 (Order PL 445), § 308-156-055, filed 9/19/83.]

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