Title: An act relating to veterinary technicians.

Brief Description: Changing veterinary technician credentialing to licensure.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Kretz, Wallace, Walsh, Cody, Strow, Hinkle, Pettigrew, Priest and Dunn.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/06/07, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 3/22/07 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Morton and Shin.

Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background: Veterinary technicians are registered under the state veterinary medicine statutes. Veterinary technicians are to work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian who retains professional and personal responsibility for work performed by a veterinary technician. Veterinary technicians are eligible to receive registration after passing an examination and either having completed a post high school course approved by the Board of Veterinarian Governors (board) or have had five years of practical experience with a licensed veterinarian.

In 2005, legislation was proposed that would have removed the option of obtaining registration as a veterinary technician based on the five years experience criteria. This legislation prompted a review under the Department of Health (DOH) Sunrise Review Process. The DOH issued a report in January 2006 that contains the recommendations from the review of the veterinarian technician laws. The board may adopt a rule to establish a minimum standard for continuing education for veterinary technicians.

Summary of Bill: Persons who pass an examination and have completed an approved course, or have five years of experience with a licensed veterinarian, are to receive a license instead of a registration. The board is to adopt rules to identify the standard tasks and procedures for determining whether the practical experience requirement is met.

One licensed veterinary technician is added to the current six-member Board of Veterinary Governors. However, the veterinary technician is a nonvoting member with respect to board decisions related to discipline of veterinarians.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED STRIKING AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Agriculture & Rural Economic Development): The veterinary technician to be added to the board must be trained in both large and small animal medicine.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: It would be hard to run a veterinary clinic without veterinary technicians. Granting them licensing status provides greater protection for the technician and the public. Clear criteria is needed to judge whether a person's experience qualifies them to be a licensed veterinary technician.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Haigh, prime sponsor; Greg Hanon, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association; Markiva Contris, Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians.