The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Board) adopts amendments to §573.64, concerning Continuing Education Requirements. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 16, 2016, issue of the Texas Register (41 TexReg 9879) and will not be republished.

Reasoned Justification

Effective January 1, 2016, the Board transitioned from a calendar year renewal cycle to a renewal cycle based upon each licensee’s birth month. The amendments are adopted to reflect this transition by replacing the term "calendar year" with "renewal year." The amendment also amends the deadline for licensees to request a hardship extension. Under the previous system, licensees were required to request a hardship extension by no later than December 15th. Under the amendment, licensees will be able to request a hardship extension up to the 15th day of the month three months prior to the last day of the licensee’s birth month. This amendment allows licensees the same approximate amount of time to request a hardship exemption as they were allowed under the previous renewal system.

Summary of Comments and Agency Response

One commenter was concerned to see proposed rulemaking by a Board without complete membership, but did not specifically address the merits of this proposed change.

Statutory Authority

The amendments are adopted under the authority of the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, §801.151(a), which states that the Board may adopt rules necessary to administer the chapter; and §801.301(b) which states that the board by rule may adopt a system under which licenses expire on various dates during the year.

No other statutes, articles or codes are affected by the adoption.