The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Board) adopts an amendment to §573.65, concerning Proof of Acceptable Continuing Education, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 10, 2014, issue of the Texas Register (39 TexReg 179). The text will not be republished.

During the last legislative session, the Texas Legislature granted the Board authority to license and to regulate veterinary technicians. The Board, therefore, adopts the amendment to add continuing education requirements for Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs). The amendment provides that LVTs may only get two out of the 10 required continuing education hours in practice management; may have no more than four hours of continuing education from correspondence courses; may have no more than two hours of self-study continuing education; and may have no more than four hours of online interactive participatory continuing education. Notwithstanding all of those requirements, at least six hours of continuing education for LVTs must be obtained from personal attendance at live courses and seminars providing continuing education. The current rule has specific continuing education requirements for veterinarians and equine dental providers. This amendment adds LVTs to maintain a high standard of integrity, skills, and practice in the veterinary medicine profession; to protect the public; and to provide for the licensing and regulation of veterinary technicians.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Veterinary Licensing Act, Occupations Code, §801.151(a), which states that the Board may adopt rules necessary to administer the chapter; §801.151(b), which states that the Board may adopt rules of professional conduct appropriate to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity, skills, and practice in the veterinary medicine profession; and §801.151(c), which states that the board shall adopt rules to protect the public and provide for the regulation of veterinary technicians.