GENERAL GOVERNMENT CABINET
Board of Veterinary
Examiners
(Amendment)
201 KAR 16:050. Continuing education.
RELATES TO: KRS 321.211(7), 321.235(6), 321.441(2)
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 321.211(7),
321.235(1), (3), (5), (6), (7), 321.441(2)
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: Pursuant
to KRS 321.211(7) the board may require that a person applying for renewal or
reinstatement to show evidence of completion of continuing education. This administrative
regulation establishes the requirements for continuing education hours relating
to the practice of veterinary medicine.
Section 1. (1)(a) A veterinarian shall be
required to biennially complete thirty (30) hours of continuing education to be
eligible for renewal of his or her license. A veterinarian may complete the
required thirty (30) hours of continuing education required for renewal by the
completion of audio or video recordings, electronic, computer, or interactive
material prepared or approved by any of the organizations identified in Section
2(1) and (2) of this administrative regulation.
(b) Of the required hours, at least
twenty (20) hours shall be directly related to the practice of veterinary
medicine and no more than ten (10) hours may be in related areas such as
practice management.
[(c) A veterinarian may acquire no
more than four (4) hours of continuing education in each renewal period by the
completion of audio or video recordings, electronic, computer or interactive
materials or programs on scientific subjects prepared or approved by any of the
organizations identified in Section 2(1) and (2) of this administrative
regulation.]
(2) A veterinary technician and
veterinary technologist shall annually complete six (6) hours of continuing
education to be eligible for renewal of his or her registration. A
veterinary technician and veterinary technologist may complete the required six
(6) hours of continuing education required for renewal by the completion of
audio or video recordings, electronic, computer, or interactive materials or
programs prepared or approved by any of the organizations identified in Section
2(1) and (2) of this administrative regulation.
(3) Continuing education shall be earned
from October 1 of each renewal period until September 30 at the end of the
period.
(4) A veterinarian applying for
renewal after completing his or her initial term of licensure after graduating
from a veterinary college may complete fewer hours of continuing education to
be eligible for renewal as established in this subsection.
(a) A veterinarian completing his or
her initial term of licensure that graduated from a veterinary college during
the first year of the preceding biennium shall complete fifteen (15) hours of
continuing education to be eligible for renewal. This paragraph shall not apply
to applicants for licensure by endorsement under KRS 321.211.
(b) Continuing education requirements
shall be waived for a veterinarian completing his or her initial term of
licensure that graduated during the second year of the preceding biennium. This
paragraph shall not apply to applicants for licensure by endorsement under KRS
321.221.
Section 2. Approved Courses. (1) The
following programs shall be approved:
(a) All scientific programs of all
organizations of the American Veterinary Medical Association, its constituent
organizations and its recognized specialty groups and accredited veterinary
medical institutions whose meetings impart educational material directly
relating to veterinary medicine;
(b) Programs which are approved by the
Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) of the American Association of
Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB); and
(c) All programs approved by the board,
not associated with RACE or the American Veterinary Medical Association and its
suborganizations.
(2) Those programs shall impart knowledge
directly relating to the practice of veterinary medicine to the end that the
utilization and application of new techniques, scientific and clinical
advances, and the achievement of research may assure expansive and
comprehensive care to the public.
Section 3. (1) A licensee and a
registrant shall:
(a) Secure documentation of attendance at
a course; and
(b) Annually, list on ["]Licensed
Veterinarian Annual Renewal Form["] or ["]Veterinary Technician
Annual Renewal Form["], as appropriate, each course he or she
attended.
(2) The board may require documentation
of attendance at continuing education courses to be submitted to it.
Section 4. (1) The board may, in
individual cases involving medical disability or illness, grant waivers of the
continuing education requirements or extensions of time within which to fulfill
the same or make the required reports.
(a) A written request for medical
disability or illness waiver or extension of time shall be:
1. Submitted by the licensee and
registrant; and
2. Accompanied by a verifying document
signed by a licensed physician.
(b) A waiver of the minimum continuing
education requirements or an extension of time within which to fulfill the same
may be granted by the board for a period of time not to exceed one (1) calendar
year.
(c) If the medical disability or illness
upon which a waiver or extension has been granted continues beyond the period
of the waiver or extension, the licensee or registrant shall reapply for
another extension.
(2) The board may grant a waiver to a
licensee who is unable to meet the continuing education requirements of this
administrative regulation because of obligations arising from military duty.
(a) A licensee engaged in active military
duty and deployed outside the United States for more than eight (8) months
shall not be required to have completed the continuing education requirement
for licensure periods during which that status exists.
(b) A licensee who is called to active
duty in the armed forces[,] shall not be required to have completed the
continuing education requirement for licensure periods during which that status
exists.
(c) The licensee requesting an extension
or waiver under this provision shall submit the appropriate military assignment
form, deployment orders, or a statement from the licensee’s unit commander
confirming the call-up or deployment.
Section 5. (1)(a) A license or
registration that has been terminated shall be reinstated if a licensee or
registrant submits proof that he has completed the required number of continuing
education hours within the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the
date on which the application is submitted.
(b) The board may permit the immediate
reinstatement of a terminated license or registration if the licensee or
registrant agrees to complete the required number of continuing education hours
within six (6) months of the date of reinstatement.
(2) Prior to renewal of a license or
registration for the licensure period following the licensure period during
which the license or registration was reinstated, a reinstated licensee or
registrant shall have completed the number of continuing education hours
required for renewal of a license or registration by Section 1 of this
administrative regulation.
Section 6. Incorporation by Reference. (1)
The following material is incorporated by reference:
(a) "Licensed Veterinarian Biennial
Renewal Form[(95)]", August 2015; and
(b) "Veterinary Technician Annual
Renewal Form[(95)]", August 2015.
(2) This material may be inspected,
copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Board
of Veterinary Examiners, 911 Leawood Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday
through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by sending a request to the board at
P.O. Box 1360, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602.
PERRY W. WORNALL, D.V.M., Board Chairman
APPROVED BY AGENCY: August 21, 2015
FILED
WITH LRC: August 24, 2015 at 2 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on Monday, October
26, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., local time, at the Kentucky Board of Veterinary
Examiners, 911 Leawood Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Individuals interested
in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing five (5)
workdays prior to the hearing of their intent to attend. If no notification of
intent to attend the hearing is received in writing five (5) workdays prior to
the hearing date, the hearing may be canceled. This hearing is open to the
public. Any person who wishes to be heard will be given an opportunity to
comment on the proposed administrative regulation. A transcript of the public
hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made in
writing five (5) workdays prior to the hearing. If you do not wish to be heard
at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed
administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted until the close
of business Monday, November 2, 2015. Send written notification of intent to be
heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative
regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: John Marcus Jones, Board
Counsel, Office of the Attorney General, 700 Capital Avenue, Suite 118,
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. phone (502) 696-5635, fax (502) 696-3925.
REGULATORY IMPACT
ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person: John Marcus Jones
(1)
Provide a brief summary of: Establishes the programs and means of obtaining
continuing education for veterinary licensure.
(a) What this administrative regulation
does: This administrative regulation establishes the continuing education
requirements for veterinary licensees. This administrative regulation lists the
programs that are approved for continuing education and the method for
approving other programs.
(b) The necessity of this administrative
regulation: This administrative regulation is necessary to advise veterinary
licensees of the minimum continuing education requirements and the means of
obtaining continuing education hours. This administrative regulation lists the
programs that are approved for continuing education credit.
(c) How does this administrative
regulation conform to the content of the authorizing statutes? KRS Chapter 321
requires the board to establish the criteria for licensure as a veterinarian
and permits the board to prescribe continuing education requirements. This
administrative regulation establishes the minimum continuing education
requirements and identifies the programs that are eligible for continuing
education credit.
(d) How this administrative regulation
currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the
statutes: This administrative regulation informs licensees of the continuing
education requirements and the approved methods and programs for obtaining
continuing education credit.
(2) If this is an amendment to an
existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this
existing administrative regulation: The amendment will expand the methods of
obtaining continuing education credit to include computer or online courses. The
amendment will establish a continuing education level for first term veterinary
licensees.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to
this administrative regulation: The amendment will expand the approval of
current continuing education programs to include online and computer courses
offered by approved organizations. The amendment will reduce the continuing
education requirement for first term veterinary licensees.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the
content of the authorizing statutes: KRS 321.211(7), KRS 321.441(2), and KRS
321.235(6) permit the board to establish continuing education criteria for
veterinary professionals. KRS 321.441(2) and KRS 321.235(6) require the board
to establish license renewal requirements for veterinary professionals.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the
effective administration of the statutes: This amendment will expand the number
of courses approved for continuing education credit to include online and
computer programs offered by approved organizations. The amendment will reduce
the number of continuing education hours necessary for renewal of first term
licensees that have recently graduated from veterinary programs.
(3) List the type and number of
individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected
by this administrative regulation: An estimated 2,500 persons will seek
licensure within the board in the next fiscal year, this regulation will also
continue as new applicants seek licensure from the board.
(4) Provide an analysis of how the
entities identified in question (3) will be impacted by either the
implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if
it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the
regulated entities identified in question (3) will have to take to comply with
this administrative regulation or amendment: This administrative regulation allows
applicants to complete continuing education courses online or by computer to
renew their veterinary licensure. This administrative regulation will allow
first term licensees to complete fewer continuing education hours to renew
licensure.
(b) In complying with this administrative
regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified
in question (3): The board does not anticipate any cost to the applicants
affected by the regulation.
(c) As a result of compliance, what
benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3): Veterinary
licensees will be able to complete online or computer programs offered by
approved organizations to obtain continuing education credit. First term
licensees will be able to complete fewer continuing education hours to renew
licensure after their first term.
(5) Provide an estimate of how much it
will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially: The budget for the board
is an annual allotment of $277,600 annual. It will not cost the administrative
body any additional funds to implement this administrative regulation.
(b) On a continuing basis: The budget for
the board is estimated to continue to have a budget of an annual allotment of
$277,600 annual. It will not cost the administrative body any additional funds
to implement this administrative regulation.
(6) What is the source of the funding to
be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative
regulation: The board’s operation is funded by fees paid by the veterinary licensees
and applicants.
(7) Provide an assessment of whether an
increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative
regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment: No increase in fees
or funding is necessary to implement this administrative regulation change.
(8) State whether or not this
administrative regulation established any fees or directly or indirectly
increased any fees: This administrative regulation does not establish the fees.
This regulation only sets the procedure for obtaining continuing education
hours for veterinary licensees.
(9) Tiering: Is tiering applied? No. Tiering
is not applied because the requirements in this administrative regulation apply
equally to all licensees and applicants.
FISCAL NOTE ON STATE OR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1. What units, parts or divisions of
state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or
school districts) will be impacted by this administrative regulation?
Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners is an
administrative body created by KRS 321.230.
2. Identify each state or federal statute
or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the
administrative regulation. KRS 321.235, KRS 321.211, and KRS 321.441.
3. Estimate the effect of this
administrative regulation on the expenditures and revenues of a state or local
government agency (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school
districts) for the first full year the administrative regulation is to be in
effect. This administrative regulation will not have any effect on the
expenditures and revenues of state and local government.
(a) How much revenue will this
administrative regulation generate for the state or local government (including
cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for the first year?
The revenue generated will depend on the number of veterinary license applicants
for the year.
(b) How much revenue will this
administrative regulation generate for the state or local government (including
cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for subsequent years?
The revenue will depend on the number of veterinary license applicants for the
subsequent years.
(c) How much will it cost to administer
this program for the first year? None
(d) How much will it cost to administer
this program for subsequent years? None
Note: If specific dollar estimates cannot
be determined, provide a brief narrative to explain the fiscal impact of the
administrative regulation.
Revenues (+/-): N/A
Expenditures (+/-): N/A
Other Explanation: N/A