SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6745
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 Passed Senate, February 16, 2010
Title: An act relating to veterinary technician licenses.
Brief Description: Concerning veterinary technician licenses.
Sponsors: Senator Sheldon.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 2/01/10 [DP].
Passed Senate: 2/16/10, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hatfield, Chair; Ranker, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Haugen, Jacobsen, Morton and Shin.
Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)
Background: Veterinary technicians are licensed by the Veterinary Board of Governors (Board) to administer health care to animals. A licensed veterinarian retains professional and personal responsibility when using any services of a veterinary technician.
The Board issues a veterinary technician license to an individual who passes an examination administered by the Board and completes one of the following:
a Board approved post-high school education program, specializing in the care and treatment of animals; or
five years of experience with a licensed veterinarian, as acceptable by the Board.
The Board identifies in rule the requirements for meeting the five years of experience.
Summary of Bill: The Board may approve the use of an examination that is not administered by the Board to fulfill the veterinary technician examination requirement. An individual must successfully complete the examination before that individual may receive a veterinary technician license.
Persons who seek to qualify for a license by meeting the five year experience requirement option need to have completed their five year experience by July 1, 2015. After that, all licensed veterinary technicians will be required to complete a post-high school education program and an examination which is approved by the Board.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: None.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: At the national level, the route of satisfying the training requirement using experience is being phased out. Training provided by a post-high school education program plus passing the exam has become the standard. This bill allows those people now in the pipeline to go ahead and finish their training by experience, but closes that option in the future.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Greg Hanon, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.