DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Veterinary Board of Governors)

[Filed December 21, 2018, 4:34 p.m., effective January 21, 2019]

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

Purpose: WAC 246-933-285 through WAC 246-933-480, veterinary board of governors (board) veterinary continuing education rules. The board amended the rules to modernize veterinary continuing education rules and streamline requirements. Changes to the rule include decreasing the reporting period, so that thirty hours would be required every two years instead of every three years (increasing the per-year requirement); allowing specialty certification or a residency program to qualify in lieu of the thirty hour requirement; clarifying expectations when a veterinarian is audited; setting a minimum requirement of twenty scientific or clinical hours; allowing a maximum of ten hours to be obtained through teaching; designating live, web-based coursework to be equivalent to in-person coursework; and expanding the approved provider list.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 246-933-285, 246-933-425 and 246-933-445; repealing WAC 246-933-465 and 246-933-480; and amending WAC 246-933-420, 246-933-440, and 246-933-460.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.92.030.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 18-21-143 on October 19, 2018.

Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The following nonsubstantive changes were adopted by the board at the rules hearing:

(1) WAC 246-933-285 HIV/AIDS prevention and information education requirements, removed the language "Alternatives to formal course work may be from professional journal articles or electronic media that contain current or updated information." Self-directed study does not comply with the department of health's HIV/AIDS curriculum requirements.

(2) WAC 246-933-420 (4)(b), corrected a reference in this subsection based on reorganization made to WAC 246-933-445. Modified audit documentation requirements to require "materials that sufficiently describe the content of the presentation" instead of a copy of the presentation itself. This was in response to a stakeholder request.

(3) WAC 246-933-445, areas of continuing education activities. Reorganized to distinguish categories of education (scientific, practice management) from modalities of education (live webinars, teaching, preprogrammed materials). Amended "granted" to "claimed" to clarify allowances for certain areas of continuing education. Removed duplicated language based on this section's reorganization.

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Loralei Walker, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4947, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email loralei.walker@doh.wa.gov, web site www.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 the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 3, Amended 3, Repealed 2.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, 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 3, Amended 3, Repealed 2.

Date Adopted: December 3, 2018.

Tawney Carrier, Chair

Veterinary Board of Governors

WAC 246-933-285HIV/AIDS prevention and information education requirements.

An applicant shall complete four clock hours of HIV/AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-19-130, filed 9/19/07, effective 10/20/07)

WAC 246-933-420((Basic requirement—Amount.))Continuing education requirement.

((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.))(1) A licensed veterinarian shall complete and document thirty hours of continuing education every two years and comply with chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.

(2) A licensed veterinarian shall meet the continuing education requirement by either:

(a) Completing thirty hours of education that comply with WAC 246-933-401 through 246-933-460; or

(b) Alternatively, providing proof that he or she:

(i) Became board-certified by a veterinary specialty organization recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) within the continuing education reporting period; or

(ii) Has been enrolled in a residency program approved by a veterinary specialty organization recognized by the AVMA during the entire continuing education reporting period for a maximum of two reporting periods.

(3) The two-year reporting period begins January 1, 2019. A veterinarian shall complete the continuing education requirements as follows:

If continuing education is due on the veterinarian's renewal date in:	The next continuing education due date is on the veterinarian's renewal date in the year below and every two years thereafter:
2019	2021
2020	2022
2021	2023

(4) The board may audit up to twenty-five percent of veterinarians after the license is renewed and may audit a veterinarian for cause.

(a) Upon request by the board, the veterinarian is responsible for submitting documentation of completed continuing education. Documentation must include, at a minimum:

(i) The name and credentials or qualifications of the continuing education provider;

(ii) The date of attendance or completion;

(iii) Course title or subject; and

(iv) The number of hours earned.

(b) Documentation for continuing education earned pursuant to WAC 246-933-445 (2)(b) must include, in addition to (a)(i) through (iv) of this subsection, a list of attendees, and materials that sufficiently describe the content of the presentation.

(c) Failure by a veterinarian to cooperate with an audit or provide the requested proof of continuing education to the board is grounds for disciplinary action.

WAC 246-933-425Approval of courses.

The board will not authorize or approve specific continuing education courses or materials. All continuing education courses must be provided by organizations, institutions, or individuals in WAC 246-933-460 and contribute to the professional knowledge and development of the practitioner, enhance services provided to patients, and contribute to the practitioner's ability to deliver current standards of care. The board will accept continuing education that reasonably falls within these criteria, and relies upon the integrity of each individual practitioner, as well as that of program sponsors, in complying with this requirement and experiencing meaningful and meritorious learning. Courses cannot be exclusively for product promotion. The board reserves the right to not accept credits from any area for any practitioner if, upon auditing, it determines that a course or material did not provide appropriate information or training.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-19-130, filed 9/19/07, effective 10/20/07)

WAC 246-933-440Exceptions.

The board may 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))shall petition the board, in writing, at least ((forty-five))thirty days prior to the end of the reporting period.

WAC 246-933-445Categories and methods of continuing education activities.

(1) Categories of continuing education:

(a) Scientific or clinical. A minimum of twenty scientific or clinical credit hours must be earned in any two-year reporting period. Credits must be obtained through education offered by an approved provider listed in WAC 246-933-460.

(b) Practice management or professional development. A maximum of ten practice management or professional development credit hours may be claimed in any two-year reporting period. Credits must be obtained through education offered by an approved provider listed in WAC 246-933-460.

(2) Methods by which continuing education may be obtained:

(a) Live attended course. There is no limit for credit hours earned through live courses attended remotely, provided that attendees have the documented opportunity to question the instructor, hear the questions of other attendees, and receive responses in real time. The course must be obtained through education offered by an approved provider listed in WAC 246-933-460.

(b) Teaching. A maximum of ten teaching credit hours may be claimed in any two-year reporting period. Qualifying courses must either meet the criteria under WAC 246-933-460 or must be presented through an accredited health care learning institution. Courses must be presented to veterinarians, other credentialed health care providers, or students of health care professions. Three credit hours will be granted for each course hour taught. Credit will be granted for only the first time a course is taught.

(c) Preprogrammed materials. Preprogrammed educational materials are noninteractive and may be presented in any form of printed or electronic media. A maximum of ten credit hours may be claimed in any two-year reporting period for completion of preprogrammed educational materials. The materials must be obtained through education offered by an approved provider listed in WAC 246-933-460, and must require successful completion of an examination or assessment.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 16-09-119, filed 4/20/16, effective 5/21/16)

WAC 246-933-460Organizations, institutions or individuals approved by the veterinary board to provide continuing education courses.

(((1) The veterinary board designates the following organizations, institutions or individuals as providing approved continuing veterinary medical education courses:

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

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

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

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

(f) The American Animal Hospital Association.

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

(h) Conferences offered by regional or allied organizations recognized by AAVSB.

(i) The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE).

(j) The Registry of Alternative and Integrative Veterinary Medical Education (RAIVE).

(k) The United States Animal Health Association.

(l) The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

(m) The Washington state department of agriculture.

(n) A board certified veterinarian who is certified by a veterinary specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association when teaching a course within his or her area of certification.

(o) A veterinarian who is a faculty member of an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine when teaching a course within his or her area of expertise.

(2) Continuing veterinary medical education courses offered by the organizations, institutions, or individuals listed in subsection (1) of this section are presumed to qualify as continuing veterinary medical education courses for purposes of fulfillment of the requirements of WAC 246-933-420 without specific prior approval by the board.

(3) Other organizations, institutions, or individuals may submit course information to the board for determination whether the course qualifies as continuing veterinary medical education under WAC 246-933-401 through 246-933-480 for purposes of fulfillment of the requirements of WAC 246-933-420.))The board approves continuing veterinary medical education courses provided by organizations, institutions, or individuals (providers) including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD);

(2) The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE)-approved courses;

(3) The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA);

(4) AVMA Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges;

(5) AVMA recognized veterinary specialty organizations;

(6) A board certified veterinarian who is certified by a veterinary specialty organization recognized by the AVMA when teaching a course within his or her area of certification;

(7) Federal, state, or local governmental agencies;

(8) An instructor with credentials or qualifications in the health, husbandry, or therapy of minor species. "Minor species" are all animals other than humans that are not one of the major species and include, but are not limited to, animals such as zoo animals, ornamental fish, parrots, ferrets, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, catfish, game birds, and honey bees. Major species include horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, turkeys, and chickens;

(9) An instructor with credentials or qualifications in practice management or professional development;

(10) Any international, national, state, provincial, regional or local veterinary medical association;

(11) The Resources for Alternative and Integrative Veterinary Education (RAIVE);

(12) A resident or intern in training for an AVMA recognized veterinary specialty organization;

(13) The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA);

(14) A veterinarian who is a faculty member of an accredited college of veterinary medicine when teaching a course within his or her area of expertise;

(15) The Washington physicians health program (WPHP).

The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

Self-study continuing veterinary medical education activities.

AIDS prevention and information education requirements.

WAC 246-933-465	Self-study continuing veterinary medical education activities.
WAC 246-933-480	AIDS prevention and information education requirements.