The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners ("Board") proposes amendments to §573.64, concerning Continuing Education Requirements.

Currently fifteen hours of continuing education are required annually to renew a veterinary license. The amended section increases the number of required continuing education hours to 17 annually. It also expands the methods by which veterinarians can obtain continuing education (CE) credits. Audio tapes, video tapes, on-line presentations and other methods will be acceptable. Interactive on-line hours may be claimed to fulfill seven of the 17-hour CE requirement. The Board believes that modern telecommunications methods of delivering CE information should be acknowledged in light of the current availability, usage and demonstrated efficacy of such methods.

Mr. Ron Allen, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amended section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Allen has also determined that for the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amended section will be to increase the availability of CE delivery systems to veterinarians and thus increase compliance with the Board's CE requirements and enhance the professional competence of veterinarians. Increasing the number of hours required for CE will increase the knowledge of veterinarians and enhance the professionalism of the veterinary profession. There will be no effect on small businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to persons required to comply with the amended section as proposed except for the small cost of obtaining two additional CE hours each year.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted in writing to Judy Huppert, Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-330, Austin, Texas 78701-3998, phone (512) 305-7555, and must be received by May 1, 2002.

The amendments are proposed under the authority of the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, Section 801.151 (a) which states that the Board may adopt rules necessary to administer the chapter.

The amendments affect the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, Section 801.307 which requires the Board by rule to require continuing education of veterinarians in Texas.