Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 26-3-7 - Veterinary Technician Registration Renewal7.1. The Board shall notify each registered veterinary technician that his or her registration will expire on December 31. However, failure to receive the notification does not exempt a registrant from meeting the requirements of this rule. The Board shall issue a certificate of renewal to all registrants renewing their registrations under the provisions of this rule.7.2. A veterinary technician may renew his or her registration from October 1 through December 31 of each year. Registration renewal requires completion of the required registration renewal form, payment of the annual renewal fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees, and certification to the Board that he or she has completed all continuing education requirements.7.3. A registration that is not renewed will automatically be placed on expired status unless a specific request was made to place the registration on inactive status. 7.3.1. To renew a registration up to one year after the expiration date, the applicant must complete the required registration renewal form, pay the late renewal fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees, and submit evidence of completion of continuing education hours.7.3.2. To reactivate an expired registration exceeding 1 year, the applicant must meet the requirements of § 26-3-3, pay the late renewal fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees, and submit evidence of completion of the required continuing education hours, for a maximum of 16 hours. The board may require additional documentation of clinical competency and professional activities.7.4. A registrant may request that their registration be placed on inactive status by completing the required registration renewal form, selecting the inactive option, and paying the inactive status fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees. 7.4.1. To reactivate an inactive registration, the applicant must complete the required registration renewal form, pay the renewal fee, and certify to the Board that he or she has completed continuing education hours for each year the registration has been expired, for a maximum of 16 hours.7.5. A registrant shall undertake at least 8 (50 minute) units of approved continuing education in the field of veterinary technology during each calendar year. A minimum of 4 hours shall be related to the practice of veterinary technology to include scientific, laboratory, regulatory, and medical record keeping. No more than 4 hours shall be related to practice management. Classroom or online courses are permitted. No units may be accumulated, carried forward, or held over past the calendar year in which the hours of continuing education were completed. 7.5.1. Continuing Education approved providers/programs:7.5.1.a. AVMA accredited colleges of veterinary technology;7.5.1.b. Board approved national veterinary associations;7.5.1.c. AVMA approved official state veterinary associations;7.5.1.d. State or federal government agencies;7.5.1.e. Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE); 7.5.1.f. Reviewed and approved by the West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine once fee is received pursuant to the Schedule of Fees.7.5.2. A registrant is required to attest to compliance with continuing education requirements on his or her annual registration renewal and is required to maintain original documents verifying the date and subject of the program or course, the number of continuing education hours or credits, and certification from an approved sponsor. Original documents must be maintained for a period of two years following renewal. The Board shall conduct a random yearly audit to determine compliance. A registrant selected for the audit shall provide all supporting documentation within 20 days of receiving notification of the audit. 7.5.2.a. If registrant is non-compliant to the continuing education audit, the Board will initiate a complaint against the registrant and the registrant will be audited again the following year.7.5.3. Continuing education hours required by disciplinary orders shall not be used to satisfy renewal requirements.7.6. New graduates of the current year are exempt from the continuing education requirements until the beginning of the immediately succeeding reporting period after registration.7.7. The Board may grant continuing education hardship extensions by request of the registrant. The Board shall only consider hardship extensions from registrants who the Board determines were prevented from completing the required continuing education hours within the year due to verified medical emergencies or military obligations beyond the registrant's control. Requests for a hardship extension must be received in the Board's office by December 15.7.8. If an extension is granted by the Board for completion of approved continuing education hours, the registrant shall file the renewal application with the renewal fee. The Board shall renew the registration contingent upon the registrant completing the mandatory continuing education within a period determined by the Board from the current year's expiration date of December 31.7.9. When a hardship registration is issued, the renewal registration shall be valid for the period required to complete the mandatory continuing education and shall be extended to December 31 upon receipt of acceptable documentation of completion of the required continuing education. The continuing education hours completed during the extension period may not be applied toward satisfaction of continuing education in the year completed and shall be separate from continuing education requirements for current year renewals. 7.10. A registered veterinary technician issued a hardship extension for completion of continuing education shall submit documentation of completion prior to the end of the Board approved extension period. Continued practice past the authorized extension period without a written renewal certificate from the Board constitutes the practice of veterinary technology without a registration.7.11. By December 31 of each year, the registrant shall certify on the renewal application that he or she has successfully completed the continuing education requirement for that calendar year. It is the responsibility of the registrant to maintain evidence of meeting the continuing education requirements for registration renewal for random audit by the Board.7.12. Upon receipt of the completed renewal application and fee, the Board shall issue a renewal registration.7.13. A Registration issued by the Board shall be posted in a place conspicuous to the public at the establishment where veterinary technology is being provided.7.14. A registrant shall notify the Board in writing or online of any change of address, conviction of a misdemeanor or felony, and/or disciplinary action by another federal or state agency no later than 30 days from the action.