NOTICE OF INTENT

Department of Health and Hospitals

Board of Veterinary Medicine

Continuing Veterinary Medicine Education (LAC 46:LXXXV.400, 403, 409, 413, 811, and 1227)

The Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine proposes to amend and adopt LAC 46:LXXXV.400, 403, 409, 413, 811, and 1227 in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:953 et seq., and the Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act, R.S. 37:1518(A)(9). The proposed rules are being amended and adopted to address the requirements and program approval of continuing veterinary medicine education necessary for annual renewal of a veterinary medicine license, registered veterinary technician certification, and animal euthanasia technician certification, in order to maintain and improve professional competencies for the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens and animals of Louisiana. Amended and adopted rules more clearly define protocol and standards for continuing education program approval. However, all other programs and/or their participants, including in-house programs, not addressed herein, shall be required to obtain pre-approval from the board in accordance with existing rules. Upon promulgation, the proposed Rule is intended to become effective for the period of time (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) for the 2011-2012 annual license and certification renewal and every annual license and certification renewal period thereafter.

Title 46

PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

Part LXXXV. Veterinarians

Chapter 4. Continuing Veterinary Education

§400. Definitions

* * *

Continuing Veterinary Education-approved, accredited experience obtained from participation in post graduate veterinary studies, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, and other authorized forms of educational experiences so as to maintain and improve professional competencies for the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens and animals of Louisiana. A continuing veterinary education program accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, as well as those programs sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board, shall be accepted as units or hours of continuing education; however, all other programs and/or their participants, including in-house programs, shall be required to obtain pre-approval from the board in accordance with LAC 46:LXXXV.409.A.3 and 4, respectively.

* * *

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1518.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 16:224 (March 1990), amended LR 19:1427 (November 1993), LR 33:648 (April 2007), repromulgated LR 33:847 (May 2007), LR 37:

§403. Continuing Veterinary Education Requirements

A. a minimum of 20 actual hours is required each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) as a prerequisite for annual renewal of a license. Hours may be taken from:

1. A continuing veterinary education program accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, as well as those programs sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board; however, any other programs and/or their participants, including in-house programs, shall be submitted to the board for pre-approval of the units or hours of continuing education in accordance with LAC 46:LXXXV.409.A.3 and 4, respectively;

A.2. - E. …

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1518.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated as §405 by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 16:224 (March 1990), amended LR 19:1427 (November 1993), LR 23:1147 (September 1997), LR 28:1208 (June 2002), LR 33:649 (April 2007), repromulgated LR 33:847 (May 2007), LR 36:319 (February 2010), LR 37:

§409. Approved Continuing Education Programs

A. …

1. All units or hours from contact participation programs listed on the pre-approved list of the board shall be accepted, as well as all units or hours from contact participation from programs accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, as well as those programs sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board.

2. The list of programs for which pre-approval has been granted will be updated as needed and published by the board on its website, as well as those programs which are accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, and those programs sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board.

3. - 5. …

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1518.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 16:224 (March 1990), amended LR 19:1428 (November 1993), LR 33:649 (April 2007), repromulgated LR 33:848 (May 2007), LR 36:319 (February 2010), LR 37:

§413. Non-Compliance

A - D. …

E. The promulgation of rule amendments by the board published in the Louisiana State Register on January 20, 2011 shall become effective for the period of time (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011) for the 2011-2012 annual license renewal and every annual license renewal period thereafter.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1518.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 16:225 (March 1990), amended LR 19:1428 (November 1993), LR 33:649 (April 2007), repromulgated LR 33:848 (May 2007), LR 36:320 (February 2010 ), LR 37:

Chapter 8. Registered Veterinary Technicians

§811. Certificate Renewal, Late Charge, Continuing Education

A. - C. …

D. Continuing Education Requirements

1. …

2. Any programs accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, as well as those programs sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board shall be accepted as units or hours of annual continuing education. All other continuing education programs must be approved by the board prior to attendance with the subject matter content properly addressing the clinical practice of a registered veterinary technician. Those continuing education programs not timely submitted in accordance with Subsection F below will not be allowed for annual continuing education credit.

D.3. - E.2. …

F. Approved Continuing Education Programs

1. Organizations sponsoring a continuing education program for RVTs which is required to obtain pre-approval must submit a request for approval of the program to the board no less than 14 days prior to the commencement of the program. Information to be submitted shall include:

a. the name of the proposed program;

b. course content; and

c. the number of continuing education units to be obtained by attendees.

2. RVTs may also submit a request for approval of a continuing education program which is required to obtain pre-approval, however, it must be submitted to the board no less than 14 days prior to the commencement of the program. Information to be submitted shall comply with the requirements of Paragraph F.1.

3. …

G. The promulgation of rule amendments by the board published in the Louisiana State Register on January 20, 2011 shall become effective for the period of time (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011) for the 2011-2012 annual certificate renewal and every annual certificate renewal period thereafter.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1549.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 16:227 (March 1990), amended LR 23:1686 (December 1997), LR 26:84 (January 2000), LR 36: 320 (February 2010), LR 37:

Chapter 12. Certified Animal Euthanasia Technicians

§1227 Continuing Education

A. Basic Requirements

1. …

2. Any programs accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, as well as those programs sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board shall be accepted as units or hours of annual continuing education. All other continuing education programs must be approved by the board prior to attendance.

3. Proof of attendance, which shall include the name of the course, date(s) of attendance, hours attended, shall be attached to the annual renewal form. Proof of attendance must include verification from the entity providing or sponsoring the educational program. However, the actual mediums of video tapes, self-test programs with third party grading, and/or self-help instruction, including online instruction, with third party grading, are limited to three hours per fiscal year period (July 1 through June 30). The requirement of pre-approval of the program by the board continues to apply for those programs not accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or AAVSB, as well as those programs not sponsored by AVMA accredited schools of veterinary medicine and/or any professional associations recognized by the board.

A.4. - B 2. …

C. Approved Continuing Education Programs

1. Organizations sponsoring a continuing education program for CAETs which is required to obtain pre-approval must submit a request for approval of the program to the board no less than 14 days prior to the commencement of the program. Information to be submitted shall include:

a. - c. …

2. CAETs may also submit a request for approval of a continuing education program which is required to obtain pre-approval, however, it must be submitted to the board no less than 14 days prior to the commencement of the program. Information to be submitted shall comply with the requirements of Paragraph C.1.

3. …

D. The promulgation of rule amendments by the board published in the Louisiana State Register on January 20, 2011 shall become effective for the period of time (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011) for the 2011-2012 annual certificate renewal and every annual certificate renewal period thereafter.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1558.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 26:321 (February 2000), amended LR 36: 320 (February 2010), LR 37:

Family Impact Statement

The proposed rules have no known impact on family formation, stability, and autonomy as described in R.S. 49:972.

Public Comments

Interested parties may submit written comments to Wendy D. Parrish, Executive Director, Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine, 263 Third Street, Suite 104, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, or by facsimile to (225) 342-2142. Comments will be accepted through the close of business on February 18, 2011. If it becomes necessary to convene a public hearing to receive comments in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the hearing will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 10 am at the office of the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine, 263 Third Street, Suite 104, Baton Rouge, LA.

Wendy D. Parrish
Executive Director

FISCAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

RULE TITLE: Continuing Veterinary Medicine Education

I. ESTIMATED IMPLEMENTATION COSTS (SAVINGS) TO STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS (Summary)

There will be no costs or savings to state or local governmental units, except for those associated with publishing the amendment (estimated at $400 in FY 2011). Licensees and certificate holders will be informed of this rule change via the board's regular newsletter or other direct mailings, and the Board's website, which result in minimal costs to the Board.

II. ESTIMATED EFFECT ON REVENUE COLLECTIONS OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS (Summary)

There will be no effect on revenue collections of state or local governmental units as no increase in fees will result from the amendment.

III. ESTIMATED COSTS AND/OR ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO DIRECTLY AFFECTED PERSONS OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL GROUPS (Summary)

The proposed rules are being amended and adopted to address the requirements of continuing veterinary medicine education necessary for annual renewal of a veterinary medicine license, registered veterinary technician certification, and animal euthanasia technician certification. The amended rules will exempt from obtaining pre-approval from the Board those continuing education courses that are accepted by another state's regulatory board of veterinary medicine, a governmental entity, and/or the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), as well as those programs sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited schools of veterinary medicine, and/or any professional associations recognized by the Board. However, all other programs and/or their participants, including in-house programs, shall still be required to obtain pre-approval from the Board in accordance with existing rules. Upon promulgation, the proposed rules are intended to become effective for the period of time (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) for the 2011-2012 annual license and certification renewal and every annual license and certification renewal period thereafter. The proposed rules will facilitate the selection of Board approved continuing education courses which may be more cost effective.

IV. ESTIMATED EFFECT ON COMPETITION AND EMPLOYMENT (Summary)

No impact on competition and employment is anticipated as a result of the proposed rule.

Wendy D. Parrish

H. Gordon Monk

Executive Director

Legislative Fiscal Officer

1101#060

Legislative Fiscal Office