Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: In 2007, the legislature passed HB 1331 amending RCW 18.92.030 to allow the veterinary board of governors to adopt rules fixing minimum standards of continuing education for veterinary technicians. These rules establish standards of continuing education for licensed veterinary technicians, designate approved training methods, and identify continuing education providers.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.92.030 and HB 1331 (chapter 235, Laws of 2007).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-09-103 on April 21, 2008.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 246-935-280 Basic requirement -- Amount, the proposed rule inaccurately stated that the continuing education requirements would be effective beginning with license renewals on or after July 23, 2008. The date has been corrected to July 23, 2007.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, phone (360) 236-4828, fax (360) 586-4359, e-mail judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 5, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 5, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: June 9, 2008.

William H. Keatts, DVM, Chair

Veterinary Board of Governors

OTS-1119.6

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-935-270   Purpose.   The purpose of these rules is to establish standards of continuing education for licensed veterinary technicians. The rules designate approved training methods, identify continuing education providers and set minimum continuing education credit requirements.

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     (1) The Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians.

     (2) National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.

     (3) All veterinary technician specialty academies recognized by the North American Veterinary Technician Association.

     (4) The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).

     (5) The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

     (6) The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.

     (7) Any board approved college or school of veterinary medical technology.

     (8) Any state or regional veterinary association which is recognized by the licensing authority of its state as a qualified professional association or educational organization.

     (9) The American Animal Hospital Association.

     (10) Veterinary specialty boards recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

     (11) Regional veterinary conferences and allied organizations recognized by AAVSB.

     (12) The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE).

     (13) Other courses as approved by the board.

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     (1) Credit for reports. The board may grant continuing education credit for reports on professional veterinary literature. Licensees must submit requests for credit to the veterinary board of governors at least sixty days prior to the end of the reporting period. The request must include a copy of the article, including publication source, date and author. The report must be typewritten and include at least ten descriptive statements about the article.

     (a) Professional literature approved for these reports are peer reviewed veterinary medical journals.

     (b) Each report qualifies for one credit hour. The board may grant a licensee up to five credit hours of continuing veterinary technician education under this subsection if the combined total of ten hours for all types of self-study continuing veterinary medical education is not exceeded.

     (2) Credit for preprogrammed educational materials. The board may grant a licensee continuing education credit for viewing and participating in board-approved formal preprogrammed veterinary technician educational materials. The preprogrammed materials must be approved by an organization listed in WAC 246-935-290, and must require successful completion of an examination. Preprogrammed educational materials include, but are not limited to:

     (a) Correspondence courses offered through journals or other sources;

     (b) Cassettes;

     (c) Videotapes;

     (d) CD-ROM;

     (e) Internet.

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     Licensees seeking an extension must petition the board, in writing, at least forty-five days prior to the end of the reporting period.

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