The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners adopts an amendment to §573.64, regarding Continuing Education Requirements. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 11, 2015, issue of the Texas Register (40 TexReg 6027) and will not be republished.

The amendment is in furtherance of tying the renewal period to a licensee's birth month. It provides that continuing education (CE) must be completed during the newly defined renewal year. It also replaces the previous deadline for a CE hardship of December 15th to the 15th day of the month three months prior to the last day of the licensee's birth month. This rule is in line with the policy of the Board approved earlier this year to change the renewal period from a set two-month period for every licensee to a rolling birth month renewal period. The overall policy will also align continuing education deadlines for licensees with the renewal birth month period creating an easier way for licensees to remember when their continuing education is due. This also allows revenue and the work load for agency staff to be spread out throughout the year. Further, under the amendment, in accordance with Senate Bill 1307, military service members are provided two years to complete requisite CE.

No comments were received regarding the adoption.

The amendment to §573.64 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, and §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, as well as §801.151(c)(1) which states the Board may adopt rules to protect the public and §801.151(c)(4) which states the Board may adopt rules to provide for the licensing and regulation of licensed veterinary technicians.

Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 801, is affected by the adoption.