Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-935-060 Eligibility for examination as veterinary technician. The veterinary board of governors (board) is considering amending WAC 246-935-060 to clarify that a board-approved apprenticeship program is a pathway for veterinary technician licensure.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In March 2020, Cascade Veterinary Clinic (CVC) and SkillSource/North Central Workforce Development Board (SkillSource) reached out to the board about the shortage of veterinary technicians and the potential of a registered apprenticeship program as a pathway to licensure. Subsequently, CVC and SkillSource presented to the board its apprenticeship education and training program.

From June 2020 through May 2022, the board worked extensively on the development of the program with CVC/SkillSource and a wide variety of interested parties. Ultimately, the board expressed its support of the program to the proponents and the Washington state apprenticeship and training council (WSATC), which registers apprenticeship programs in Washington state. At WSATC's October 2022 meeting, they approved to register the program.

Through its work, the board found that current veterinary technician rule authorizes the board to approve this program under WAC 246-935-060(1): "Applicants must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the examination. (1) Completion of an approved postsecondary educational program for animal or veterinary technology." However, the board expressed interest in amending the rules to make it clear that a registered apprenticeship is a board-approved method for an applicant to become eligible for the veterinary technician national exam and licensure. At its December 2022 meeting, the board voted to open rule making for this purpose.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lorelei Walker, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4947, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email loralei.walker@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Notices will be emailed through the program's GovDelivery interested parties list. To sign up, please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. Under "Health Professions," select "Veterinary Board of Governors" and any other topics you wish. Interested parties will be invited to participate in meetings and rule drafting workshops. At the formal proposal stage of rule making, proposed rule language will be posted on the department of health's rules comments website to receive public comment for the public hearing.