AN ACT Relating to veterinary medicine;
amending RCW 18.92.015, 18.92.030, 18.92.060, 18.92.125, 18.92.140, and
18.92.145; and adding a new section to chapter 18.92 RCW.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1.
RCW 18.92.015 and 1991 c 332 s 40 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise,
the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
"Animal technician" means a person
who has successfully completed an examination administered by the board and who
has either successfully completed a post high school course approved by the
board in the care and treatment of animals or had five years' practical
experience, acceptable to the board, with a licensed veterinarian.
"Board" means the Washington state
veterinary board of governors.
"Department" means the department of
health.
"Secretary" means the secretary of
the department of health.
"Veterinary medication clerk"
means a person who has satisfactorily completed a board-approved training
program developed in consultation with the board of pharmacy and designed to
prepare persons to perform certain nondiscretionary functions defined by the
board and used in the dispensing of legend and nonlegend drugs (except
controlled substances as defined in or under chapter 69.50 RCW) associated with
the practice of veterinary medicine.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A
new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A veterinarian legally prescribing drugs
may delegate to a registered veterinary medication clerk or a registered animal
technician, while under the veterinarian's direct supervision, certain
nondiscretionary functions defined by the board and used in the dispensing of
legend and nonlegend drugs (except controlled substances as defined in or under
chapter 69.50 RCW) associated with the practice of veterinary medicine. Upon
final approval of the packaged prescription following a direct physical
inspection of the packaged prescription for proper formulation, packaging, and
labeling by the veterinarian, the veterinarian may delegate the delivery of the
prescription to a registered veterinary medication clerk or registered animal
technician, while under the veterinarian's indirect supervision. Dispensing of
drugs by veterinarians, registered animal technicians, and registered
veterinary medication clerks shall meet the applicable requirements of chapters
18.64, 69.40, 69.41, and 69.50 RCW and is subject to inspection by the board of
pharmacy investigators.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Direct supervision" means the
veterinarian is on the premises and is quickly and easily available; and
(b) "Indirect supervision" means the
veterinarian is not on the premises but has given written or oral instructions
for the delegated task.
Sec. 3.
RCW 18.92.030 and 1986 c 259 s 140 are each amended to read as follows:
((It shall be the duty of)) The
board ((to)) shall prepare examination questions, conduct
examinations, and grade the answers of applicants. The board, ((pursuant to))
under chapter 34.05 RCW, ((shall have the power to)) may
adopt ((such)) rules ((and regulations as may be)) necessary to
((effectuate)) carry out the purposes of this chapter,
including the performance of the duties and responsibilities of animal
technicians((: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such)) and veterinary
medication clerks. The rules ((are)) shall be adopted in the
interest of good veterinary health care delivery to the consuming public((,))
and ((do)) shall not prevent animal technicians from inoculating
an animal. The board ((shall further have)) also has the power
to adopt((,)) by ((reasonable)) rule((s and regulations,))
standards prescribing requirements for veterinary medical facilities and ((to
fix)) fixing minimum standards of continuing veterinary medical
education.
The department ((shall be)) is
the official office of record.
Sec. 4.
RCW 18.92.060 and 1974 ex.s. c 44 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
Nothing in this chapter ((shall be construed
to apply)) applies to:
(1) Commissioned veterinarians in the United
States military services((,)) or veterinarians employed by
Washington state and federal agencies while performing official duties;
(2) A person((s)) practicing
veterinary medicine upon ((a person's)) his or her own animal((s));
(3) A person advising with respect to or
performing the castrating and dehorning of cattle, castrating and docking of
sheep, castrating of swine ((or)), caponizing of poultry,
or artificial insemination of animals;
(4)(a) A person who is a regularly
enrolled student in a veterinary school((,)) or ((regularly enrolled
in a)) training course approved under ((the provisions of)) RCW
18.92.015 and ((while)) performing duties or actions assigned by his or
her instructors((,)) or working under the direct supervision of a
licensed veterinarian during a school vacation period or (b) a person
performing assigned duties under the supervision of a veterinarian
within the established framework of an internship program recognized by the
board;
(5) A veterinarian regularly licensed in
another state consulting with a licensed veterinarian in this state;
(6) An animal technician or veterinary
medication clerk acting under the supervision and control of a licensed
veterinarian((: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That)). The practice of an
animal technician or veterinary medication clerk is limited to the
performance of ((those)) services which are authorized by the board;
(7) An owner being assisted in ((such))
practice by his or her employees when employed in the conduct of ((such
person's)) the owner's business;
(8) An owner being assisted in ((such))
practice by some other person gratuitously.
Sec. 5.
RCW 18.92.125 and 1986 c 259 s 143 are each amended to read as follows:
No veterinarian who uses the services of an
animal technician or veterinary medication clerk shall be considered as
aiding and abetting any unlicensed person to practice veterinary medicine. A
veterinarian ((shall)) retains professional and personal
responsibility for any act which constitutes the practice of veterinary
medicine as defined in this chapter when performed by an animal technician or
veterinary medication clerk in his or her employ.
Sec. 6.
RCW 18.92.140 and 1991 c 3 s 247 are each amended to read as follows:
Each person now qualified to practice
veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry ((or)),
registered as an animal technician, or registered as a veterinary medication
clerk in this state or who ((shall hereafter be)) becomes
licensed or registered to engage in ((such)) practice((,)) shall
register with the secretary of health annually or on the date prescribed by the
secretary and pay the renewal registration fee set by the secretary as provided
in RCW 43.70.250. A person who fails to renew a license or certificate ((prior
to)) before its expiration ((shall be)) is subject to
a late renewal fee equal to one-third of the regular renewal fee set by the
secretary.
Sec. 7.
RCW 18.92.145 and 1991 c 332 s 42 are each amended to read as follows:
The secretary shall determine the fees, as
provided in RCW 43.70.250, for the issuance, renewal, or administration of the
following licenses, certificates of registration, permits, duplicate licenses,
renewals, or examination:
(1) For a license to practice veterinary
medicine, surgery, and dentistry issued upon an examination given by the
examining board;
(2) For a license to practice veterinary
medicine, surgery, and dentistry issued upon the basis of a license issued in
another state;
(3) For a certificate of registration as an
animal technician;
(4) For a certificate of registration as a
veterinary medication clerk;
(5) For a temporary permit to practice
veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry. The temporary permit fee shall be
accompanied by the full amount of the examination fee; and
(((5))) (6) For a license to
practice specialized veterinary medicine.
