ARC 7566C

ARC 7566C

VETERINARY MEDICINE BOARD[811]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to continuing education

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Board of Veterinary Medicine hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 11, "Continuing Education," Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new chapter with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 169.5.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapters 169 and 272C.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rulemaking updates the Board's continuing education rules by removing outdated or redundant provisions that are covered by statute.

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 811—Chapter 14.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking. Written or oral comments in response to this rulemaking must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 29, 2024. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rulemaking action is proposed:

Item 1. Rescind 811—Chapter 11 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 11

CONTINUING EDUCATION

811—11.1(169) Continuing education necessary for a veterinary licensee.

11.1(1) Within the last three licensing years, each licensee is to complete at least 60 hours of continuing education in courses approved by the board as a condition for license renewal. The licensee has financial responsibility for the cost of continuing education. These credit hours may be obtained by attending board-approved scientific or practice management seminars and meetings on the basis of one credit hour for each hour of attendance. Attendance at any approved national, state or regional meeting or RACE-approved meeting will be acceptable. One hour of credit may be approved for local meetings where a scientific paper is presented. Credit for qualified graduate college courses may be approved on the basis of multiplying each college credit hour by 10, to a maximum of 30 hours during any one triennial license period. A maximum of 20 hours during any one triennial license period of continuing education may be achieved by completion of approved distance education courses. A maximum of 20 hours of continuing education during any one triennial license period may be achieved by completion of approved practice management courses.

11.1(2) To qualify for license renewal, each licensee is to obtain the 60 credit hours between July 1 of the year the license was issued and June 30 of the following third year. Continuing education credits in excess of 60 hours for any three-year license period may be carried over to the next triennial license period, but the total number of credit hours carried over cannot exceed 20 hours.

11.1(3) A recent graduate is exempt from meeting continuing education requirements at the time of original licensure and for the first year of practice. For the purpose of this rule, "recent graduate" means a person who has graduated from an accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine, or received a certificate from the ECFVG or PAVE no more than three years prior to application for licensure. If a recent graduate is licensed during the first year of the triennial license period, the licensee needs to complete 40 hours of continuing education for the first license renewal. If a recent graduate is licensed during the second year of the triennial license period, the licensee needs to complete 20 hours of continuing education for the first license renewal. If a recent graduate is licensed during the third year of the triennial license period, the licensee is exempt from meeting continuing education requirements for the first license renewal.

11.1(4) Completion of the continuing education requirement will be reported to the secretary of the board, on a form provided by the board, at the time of license renewal. The form is to be signed by the licensee and be accompanied by renewal application and the proper renewal fee.

11.1(5) The board may waive continuing education requirements for qualifying military service personnel upon request.

811—11.2(169) Exemptions for an inactive veterinary licensee. A licensee residing within or outside Iowa who is not engaged in practice in the state of Iowa may be granted a waiver of compliance and obtain a certificate of exemption upon paying the annual license renewal fee. The licensee is to provide a written application to the board that includes a statement that the applicant will not engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in Iowa without first complying with all the rules governing reactivation after exemption. The application for a certificate of exemption is to be submitted on a form provided by the board.

811—11.3(169) Reactivation of license. A veterinarian whose license has lapsed or been placed on inactive status is to provide evidence of completion of a total number of hours of accredited continuing education computed by multiplying 20 by the number of years since the date of the last issuance of the license for which reactivation is sought.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapters 169 and 272C.