| 10/23/2013 3:30 pm Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations | VA.R. Document Number: R____-______ |
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Virginia Register Publication Information
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Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
Initial Agency Notice
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Agency Decision
| Promulgating Board: | Board of Veterinary Medicine |
| Regulatory Coordinator: | Leslie L. Knachel (804)367-4468 leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Agency Contact: | Elaine J. Yeatts Agency Regulatory Coordinator (804)367-4688 elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Contact Address: | Department of Health Professions 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23233 |
| Chapter Affected: | |
| 18 vac 150 - 20: | Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine |
| Statutory Authority: |
State: Chapter 38 of Title 54.1 Federal: |
| Date Petition Received | 04/23/2013 |
| Petitioner | Chelsea L. Mason |
To amend section 70 of the Board of Veterinary Medicine regulations to accept continuing
education courses in business management and finance.
Agency Plan
In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of
Regulations and will be published on May 20, 2013. Comment on the petition may be
sent by email, regular mail or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov;
comment will be requested until June 19, 2013.
Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board
will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will
be on the Board's agenda for the next meeting scheduled after the close of the comment
period, which is October 23, 2013.
| Publication Date | 05/20/2013 (comment period will also begin on this date) |
| Comment End Date | 06/19/2013 |
Take no action
| Agency Response Date | 10/23/2013 |
While the members acknowledged the need for owners of veterinary practices to be
well informed about technology, marketing and business management, they did not believe
continuing education hours in those areas should be substituted for courses in the
care of animals. The purpose of licensure and the role of the Board is protection
of the public. Additionally, the Board found that most other states that accept business
management courses typically require more total hours than Virginia. While there
was discussion about an increase in the number of hours with business practices allowed
to count for some of them, the Board rejected that alternative as an increased burden
on veterinarians and technicians who do not want or need to take such courses. Licensees
who want education in business management can obtain the hours over and above the
minimum of 15 for veterinarians and 6 for veterinary technicians.There was comment
in support of continuing education in communication with clients as a way to better
serve the needs of animals in the practice. The Board recently revised a Guidance
Document (150-11) to clarify that such courses are presently acceptable for CE credit:
"Approved CE credit is given for courses or programs related to the treatment and
care of patients and shall be clinical courses in veterinary medicine or veterinary
technology or courses that enhance patient safety, such as medical recordkeeping or
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements. The Board accepts
CE that is related to disaster or emergency preparedness, the U. S. Department of
Agriculture's National Veterinary Accreditation Program and communication development
to strengthen the veterinarian-client-patient relationships, including but not limited
to grief counseling."