WSR 24-10-093

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Veterinary Board of Governors)

[Filed April 30, 2024, 2:32 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Veterinarian and veterinary technician licensure requirements. The veterinary board of governors (board) is considering updates to licensure, reactivation, continuing education, and examination requirements, which may include adding a new section in chapters 246-933 and 246-935 WAC to implement 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023) and 2SHB 1009 (chapter 165, Laws of 2023).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.92.030; 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023) and 2SHB 1009 (chapter 165, Laws of 2023).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board has noticed circumstances where it may be more burdensome to reactivate an expired Washington license than obtain an initial license. The board will consider updates to address this.

Implementation of recent legislative changes from 2SHB 1724 and 2SHB 1009 regarding reciprocity, mobility, examinations, and military spouse licensure will also be considered.

Rule updates will support clear licensing standards including any recent changes and resolve unneeded complexity.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Poppy Budrow, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 564-669-0026, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email Poppy.Budrow@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov, veterinary@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. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," and then click on "Veterinary Board of Governors." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information listed [related] to that specific profession. 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's rules comments website to receive public comment for the public hearing.      

April 30, 2024

Andrea Sanchez-Chambers, DVM, Chair

Veterinary Board of Governors