WSR 24-02-022
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Veterinary Board of Governors)
[Filed December 21, 2023, 4:33 p.m., effective January 21, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Health equity continuing education (CE) for the veterinarian and veterinary technician professions. The veterinary board of governors (board) created new WAC 246-933-437 and 246-935-307 for licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to establish health equity CE to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021).  
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 246-933-437 and 246-935-307.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.92.030, 18.130.040, and 43.70.613.
Other Authority: ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021).
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-16-075 on July 28, 2023.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Poppy Budrow, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 564-669-0026, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email Poppy.Budrow@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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: September 11, 2023.
Andrea Sanchez-Chambers, DVM, Chair
Veterinary Board of Governors
OTS-4446.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-933-437Veterinarians health equity continuing education training requirements.
(1) Veterinarians must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years by complying with WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.
(2) This training must be completed by the end of the second full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2024, or the second full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.
(3) The hours spent completing health equity continuing education under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for veterinarian license renewal.
(4) The board may randomly audit up to 25 percent of licensed veterinarians every two years for compliance after the license is renewed as allowed by WAC 246-12-190.
OTS-4447.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-935-307Veterinary technicians health equity continuing education training requirements.
(1) Veterinary technicians must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years by complying with WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.
(2) This training must be completed by the end of the second full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2024, or the second full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.
(3) The hours spent completing health equity continuing education under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for veterinary technician license renewal.
(4) The board may randomly audit up to 25 percent of licensed veterinary technicians every two years for compliance after the license is renewed as allowed by WAC 246-12-190.