Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.12

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 930-X-1-.12 - Continuing Education Requirements

(1) For Veterinarians:

(a) Veterinarians are required to earn twenty credit hours of continuing education each year before becoming eligible for license renewal. Ten of the hours may be obtained online through completion of RACE (Registry of Approved Continuing Education) approved courses.

(b) Veterinarians unable to earn credits because of sickness or other justifiable reasons may, at the discretion of the Board, be granted an extension of time to finish credit hours. The board may require the hours to be completed at a later date. Requests for extension must be made in writing to the Board before the renewal period of licensure. Failure to make an extension request prior to the Board's last meeting of the year may require a personal appearance before the Board to make such a request. The board may, at its discretion, exempt requirements for continuing education in exceptional circumstances.

(c) At the Board's discretion, non-practicing veterinarians over seventy years old may be exempted from the continuing education requirements.

(d) At the discretion of the Board, credit hours may be earned as follows: One hour of credit for each hour of attendance at an in-depth seminar such as seminars sponsored by the AVMA, the AAHA, AAVSB CE Taskforce, State Association, various academies, schools of veterinary medicine, and other State Veterinary Associations. The Board will require twenty (20) hours per year in which a minimum of sixteen (16) hours must be in the area of scientific programs approved by the Board. A maximum of four (4) hours may be in the area of practice management programs that are approved by the Board. All courses are subject to review by the Board.

(e) Each veterinarian must keep a record of credit hours earned and proof of attendance of said hours. CE audits for practicing licensed veterinarians will be conducted at the time of premises evaluation. Each year he or she will be required to certify the number of credit hours earned on a form provided by the Board. The form will be mailed to each veterinarian at the time of annual renewal.

(f) New graduates do not have to comply with this continuing education requirement until the next full calendar year after licensure.

(g) The ASBVME may periodically review national, regional, state, local, or online CE programs to determine whether they meet the standard expected by the Board.

(2) For Licensed Veterinary Technicians:

(a) The applicant must verify yearly that he or she has finished at least eight hours of continuing education during the preceding year. A minimum of six (6) hours of continuing education must be in the area of scientific programs approved by the Board. All eight hours may be obtained online through completion of RACE-approved courses.

(b) At the discretion of the Board, credit hours may be earned in person as follows: A minimum of six hours of continuing education in scientific programs approved by the Board, the remaining two hours may be in verifiable audio, video, compendium journal and computer review, or one of the two hours may be given for state or local association meetings.

(c) Licensed veterinary technicians unable to earn credits because of sickness or other justifiable reasons may, at the discretion of the Board, be granted an extension of time to complete the CE requirements. The board may require the hours to be completed at a later date. Requests for an extension must be made in writing to the Board before the renewal period of licensure. Failure to make an extension request prior to the Board's last meeting of the year may require a personal appearance before the Board to make such a request. The board may, at its discretion, exempt the requirement for continuing education in exceptional circumstances.

(d) Hours will be accumulated on a yearly basis from January to December.

(e) Each licensed veterinary technician must keep record of credit hours earned and proof of attendance of said hours shall be submitted annually. Each year he or she will be required to certify as to the number of credit hours earned on a form to be provided by the Board.

(f) New graduates do not have to comply with this continuing education requirement until the next full calendar year after licensure.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.12

Repealed and New Rule: Filed December 18, 1997; effective January 22, 1998. Amended: Filed November 30, 2004; effective January 4, 2005. Amended: Filed January 10, 2007; effective February 14, 2007. Amended: Filed November 28, 2012; effective January 2, 2013.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 09, June 29, 2018, eff. 8/2/2018.

Author: Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-29-69.