Legislation

On December 12, 2011, the Board of Regents approved regulations to implement mandatory continuing education requirements for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The updated Education Law requires veterinary technicians to complete 24 hours of acceptable continuing education every three years. The requirement became effective in January 2012. To calculate the number of continuing education hours that you must complete before your next re-registration date, refer to the continuing education table for veterinary technicians at www.op.nysed.gov/prof/vetmed/vettechcetable.pdf.

 

A list of FAQs from the State Board can be found at www.op.nysed.gov/prof/vetmed/vetcefaqs.htm. NYSAVT has also complied several FAQs to help our members understand these requirements.

 

When does the law take effect?

CE became mandatory effective January 1, 2012 for all licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians in New York State.

 

Will Spring Seminar courses count?

All 2012 NYSAVT-approved courses, including courses presented at Spring Seminar count toward the mandatory CE requirement. Additionally, NYSAVTsponsored courses taken in 2011 (including Spring Seminar) count toward the mandatory CE requirement.

 

What is now required?

This bill requires veterinarians and veterinary technicians to complete continuing education during each three-year registration period and provides various exemptions. Vet techs must complete 24 hours of continuing education, 12 of which may be selfinstructed. Vet techs that do not complete mandatory CE will be unable to practice until they have met these requirements and have received a registration or conditional registration certificate.

 

Is there a proration?

Yes, but for the first three years, mandatory CE requirements may be confusing. Refer to the continuing education table for veterinary technicians found at www.op.nysed.gov/prof/vetmed/vettechcetable.pdf.

 

What if I don’t complete CE?

If you have not satisfied the mandatory CE requirement, you will not receive a triennial registration certificate. You will be unable to practice until a conditional registration certificate is issued or you have met the mandatory CE requirements.

 

Are there any exemptions?

Yes, there are a number of exemptions, including those for new licensees, full-time educators and non-practicing LVTs, among others. Find detailed information on exemptions at www.op.nysed.gov/prof/vetmed/vetcefaqs.htm.

 

How much will it cost?

A mandatory CE fee of $45 will be collected from licensees and must be payable on or before the first day of each triennial registration period. This must be paid in addition to the triennial registration fee.

 

Questions?

Visit www.nysavt.org for further details or call or email NYSAVT at 518-426-7920 or nysavt@gmail.com. You can also contact the Office of the Professions directly at 518-474-3817 x560 or online at www.op.nysed.gov/prof/vetmed.

About the Bill

This new bill requires veterinarians and veterinary technicians to complete continuing education during each three-year registration period and provides various exemptions. The bill becomes effective January 1, 2011. Beginning January 1, 2012, anyone renewing (registering) their license will have to produce proof that they have fulfilled the prorated CE requirements, which are based on date of license registration.

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The governor signed into law the continuting education bill for on August 13. The new law required veterinarians and veterinary technicians to complete a certain number of continuing education credits every three years. NYSAVT has been written into the bill as a provider of CE. State board regulations are in currently in the works and it is our understanding that CE in 2011 will be approved and therefore will be offered at the 2011 NYSAVT Annual Spring Seminar! Save the date: April 15-17 in Java Center, NY at Beaver Hollow.

The bill (A07203) was sent to the Governor yesterday, which means unless it is vetoed (and we don't believe it will be), it will become law within 30 days! Then begins the next big push!

The bill passed the NYS Senate and Assembly on June 3! We await its delivery to the governor for his signature.

Legislation to require Vet Techs to take CE courses in order to maintain their license and registration is advancing rapidly in the NYS legislature. Assembly bill 7203C unanimously passed the assembly on March 4 and is currently in committee in the state senate. It is anticipated that this legislation will be reported out to the floor of the senate after the state budget has passed. According to sources in the senate, there is no reason that this bill will not pass this year.

Bill A07203 Summary
Requires veterinarians and veterinary technicians to complete continuing education during each triennial registration period; provides various exemptions from such requirement.

Bill A07203 Memo
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law, in relation to continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technicians

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill will impose certain mandatory continuing education requirements on licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the State of New York.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: This bill would add a Section 6704-a to the Education Law to impose continuing education requirements on veterinarians and a Section 6711 to impose similar requirements on veterinary technicians.

JUSTIFICATION: In recent years, a number of licensed professions have addressed the issue of mandatory continuing education. Licensed veterinary medicine is extremely proud of its long history of broad based continuing education programs that have long been a hallmark of the profession. These programs offered by the various state and local veterinary medical societies and their affiliates, colleges of veterinary medicine, national societies and recognized board specialties have helped ensure that the state's veterinarians maintain the highest possible levels of professional competence. This longstanding program has proven effective over the many years that it has been in existence with both the overwhelming majority of licensed practitioners availing themselves of these opportunities and through the lack of complaints against veterinarians based upon alleged deficiencies in professional competence.

At the core of these professional development efforts has been local veterinary organizations, particularly in the state's rural areas that have served to coordinate the provision of these continuing education opportunities. These largely voluntary efforts should be encouraged in any mandatory continuing education requirement. As a result, this bill specifically recognizes their on-going role by prohibiting the imposition on any requirement that these entities have full-time employees and deems these longstanding providers of quality educational programs as qualified to continue to offer these services.

The state's veterinarians and veterinary technicians are extremely proud of their record of accomplishments in ensuring that they remain up to date with respect to their professional competence. The enactment of this bill will help ensure that the state works in partnership with these professionals to ensure that this remains true for the years to come. It also ensures that the model that has worked for over a century will remain viable in the decades to come.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

• 2009-10: A.7203B undefined referred to higher education
• 2007-08: A.4957a (Abbate) undefined referred to higher education
• 2006: A.5391 (Abbate) undefined referred to higher education
• 2005: A.5391 (Abbate) undefined referred to higher education
• 2004: A.9453 (Abbate) undefined referred to higher education
• 2003: A.2745 (Gunther) undefined referred to higher education
• 2002: A.9903 (Gunther) undefined referred to higher education

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The first of January next succeeding the date on which this bill is enacted into law.

Read the complete bill here.

What does this mean for veterinary technology? CE will soon be required undefined don’t let yourself get behind. This will be an important topic of discussion at Spring Seminar and you don’t want to miss out on learning more about the big changes coming to our profession.

With the investment and support of our membership, the association has been able to advance the veterinary technology profession. If you haven’t yet joined NYSAVT, come to Spring Seminar for your soon-to-be required CE and learn about the important benefits of being a member.