DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Veterinary Board of Governors)

[Filed April 11, 2024, 12:37 p.m., effective May 12, 2024]

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

Purpose: Apprenticeship programs for veterinary technicians. The veterinary board of governors (board) is adopting an amendment to WAC 246-935-060 Eligibility for examination as a veterinary technician, to clarify that a registered apprenticeship program is an approved post-secondary educational pathway to qualify for licensure exams as a veterinary technician.

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

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.92.030 and 18.92.128.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-21-094 on October 18, 2023.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: April 11, 2024.

Andrea Sanchez-Chambers, DVM, Chairperson

Veterinary Board of Governors

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 15-14-008, filed 6/18/15, effective 7/19/15)

WAC 246-935-060Eligibility for examination as veterinary technician.

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.

(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.

(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) Completion of a Washington state apprenticeship program registered in accordance with chapters 296-05 WAC and 49.04 RCW.

(d) 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)))(e) The examination may be taken no sooner than six months 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))36 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))36 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.