WSR 19-21-134
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Veterinary Board of Governors)
[Filed October 21, 2019, 11:06 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 17-07-046.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-935-270 through 246-935-310, veterinary board of governors (board) continuing education for veterinary technicians, the board is proposing multiple changes for veterinary technician continuing education rules.
Hearing Location(s): On December 9, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at the Washington State Department of Health, Town Center 2, Room 145, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501.
Date of Intended Adoption: December 9, 2019.
Submit Written Comments to: Loralei Walker, Department of Health, Veterinary Board of Governors, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-2901, by December 2, 2019.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Loralei Walker, phone 360-236-4947, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email loralei.walker@doh.wa.gov, by December 2, 2019.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposal will modernize veterinary technician continuing education (CE) rules and streamline requirements. Proposed changes to the rule include decreasing the reporting period (without increasing the per-year requirement); clarifying expectations when a veterinary technician is audited; setting a minimum requirement of fourteen scientific or clinical hours; allowing a maximum of six hours to be obtained through teaching; designating live, web-based coursework to be equivalent to in-person coursework; and expanding the approved provider list.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The board's intent is to increase access and flexibility for CE rules, while maintaining a high standard for continuing education. They propose to do this by setting a minimum standard for scientifically supported educational programs, as well as discontinuing the board's review and approval of courses not approved by rule. To add options and flexibility for veterinarians to meet these new standards, the board proposes to remove the ten-hour limit for qualifying live and interactive webinars, to allow credit options for teaching, and expand the approved CE provider list using input from multiple stakeholders.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: 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: Loralei Walker, Program Manager, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4947.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW
34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Loralei Walker, Department of Health, Veterinary Board of Governors, 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.
The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. The proposed rule does not impact businesses.
October 21, 2019
Elizabeth C. Davies, DVM, Chair
Veterinary Board of Governors
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-20-126, filed 10/1/08, effective 11/1/08)
WAC 246-935-270Purpose.
The standards established in WAC 246-935-270 through 246-935-310 may be cited as the "veterinary technician continuing education rules." The purpose of these rules is to establish standards of continuing education for licensed veterinary technicians. The rules ((designate approved))provide for qualifying training methods, ((identify))designating approved continuing education providers and ((set))setting minimum continuing education credit requirements.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-20-126, filed 10/1/08, effective 11/1/08)
WAC 246-935-280((Basic requirement—Amount.))Continuing education requirement.
((Continuing education consists of programs of learning which contribute directly to the advancement or enhancement of the skills of licensed veterinary technicians. Beginning with license renewals on or after July 23, 2007, licensed veterinary technicians must complete thirty hours of continuing education every three years. No more than ten hours can be earned in practice management courses in any three-year reporting period. Licensed veterinary technicians must comply with chapter 246-12 WAC relating to continuing education requirements.))(1) Beginning January 1, 2020, a licensed veterinary technician shall complete twenty hours of continuing education every two years. Licensed veterinary technicians shall comply with chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7 relating to continuing education requirements.
(2) A veterinary technician shall complete the continuing education requirements as follows:
If continuing education is due on the veterinary technician's renewal date in: | The next continuing education due date is on the veterinary technician's renewal date in the year below and every two years thereafter: |
2020 | 2022 |
2021 | 2023 |
2022 | 2024 |
(3) The board may audit up to twenty-five percent of veterinary technicians after the license is renewed and may audit a veterinary technician for cause.
(a) Upon request by the board, the veterinary technician 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 246-935-295 (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 veterinary technician to cooperate with an audit or provide the requested proof of continuing education to the board is grounds for disciplinary action.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-935-285Approval 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 246-935-290 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. 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, the board determines that a course or material did not provide appropriate information or training.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 16-16-070, filed 7/28/16, effective 8/28/16)
WAC 246-935-290((Qualified organizations approved by the veterinary board of governors.))Organizations, institutions, or individuals approved by the veterinary board to provide continuing education courses.
((Courses offered by the following organizations qualify as continuing education courses for veterinary technicians.
(1) The Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians.
(2) National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.
(3) All veterinary technician specialty academies recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.
(4) The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
(5) The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
(6) The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.
(7) Any board approved college or school of veterinary medical technology.
(8) Any board approved college or school of veterinary medicine.
(9) Any state or regional veterinary association which is recognized by the licensing authority of its state as a qualified professional association or educational organization.
(10) The American Animal Hospital Association.
(11) Veterinary specialty boards recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
(12) Regional veterinary conferences and allied organizations recognized by AAVSB.
(13) The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE).
(14) Other courses as approved by the board.))The board approves veterinary technician continuing education courses provided by organizations, institutions, or individuals (providers) including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Any board approved college or school of veterinary medical technology.
(2) Any international, national, state, provincial, regional or local veterinary technician association.
(3) National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
(4) A veterinary technician specialist who is certified by a veterinary technician specialty (VTS) academy recognized by NAVTA when teaching a course within his or her area of specialty.
(5) All veterinary technician specialty academies recognized by NAVTA.
(6) The Washington state association of veterinary technicians (WSAVT).
(7) Organizations, institutions, or individuals approved for veterinarians in WAC 246-933-460.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-935-295Categories and methods of continuing education activities.
(1) Categories of continuing education:
(a) Scientific or clinical. A minimum of fourteen 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 246-935-290.
(b) Practice management or professional development. A maximum of six practice management or professional development credit hours may be claimed in any two-year reporting period.
(2) Methods by which continuing education may be obtained:
(a) Live attended courses. 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 246-935-290.
(b) Teaching. A maximum of six teaching credit hours may be claimed in any two-year reporting period. Qualifying courses must either meet the criteria under WAC 246-935-290 or must be presented through an accredited health care learning institution. Courses must be presented to veterinary technicians, 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 six 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 246-935-290, and must require successful completion of an examination or assessment.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-20-126, filed 10/1/08, effective 11/1/08)
WAC 246-935-310Exceptions.
The board may excuse from or grant an extension of continuing education requirements to a licensed veterinary technician due to illness or other extenuating circumstances.
Licensees seeking an extension must petition the board, in writing, at least ((forty-five))thirty days prior to the end of the reporting period.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 246-935-300 | Self-study continuing veterinary technician education activities. |