SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5485
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, February 5, 2007
Title: An act relating to veterinary technicians.
Brief Description: Changing veterinary technician credentialing to licensure.
Sponsors: Senators Sheldon and Rasmussen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 1/30/07, 2/05/07 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5485 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.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
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 Sunrise Review Process.
The Department of Health issued a report in January 2006 that contains the recommendations
from the review of the veterinarian technician laws.
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 non-voting member with respect to board
decisions related to discipline of veterinarians.
The board may adopt a rule to establish a minimum standard for continuing education for
veterinary technicians.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Agriculture & Rural Economic Development): Clarification was provided that the licensed veterinary technician that would serve on the board would 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: To be eligible to take a veterinary technician exam, it takes two years of instruction at a community college. The other option is to have five years of practical experience. This bill is to provide criteria as to the kind of experience that will be required by identifying the standard tasks and procedures through a rule adoption process, providing the request for additional time to complete this rule making is supported.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Tim Sheldon, prime sponsor; Markiva Contris, Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians; Greg Hanon, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.