The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners ("Board) proposes an amendment to §573.64, concerning Continuing Education Requirements. The section requires that a veterinarian annually acquire at least 17 hours of continuing education in veterinary medicine. The current section states that a person who successfully passes the State Board Licensing Examination may substitute the examination for the continuing education requirements of the person's "examination period." The phrase "examination period" is vague in the context of the section. The proposed amendment substitutes the phrase "the calendar year in which they were examined" for "examination period" to clarify the intent of the section.

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 the 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 clarify for veterinary license candidates the requirements for acquiring continuing education once the candidate passes the license examination. 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.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Julie Barker, Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-330, Austin, Texas 78701-3998, phone (512) 305-7555, fax (512) 305-7556, and will be accepted for 30 days following publication in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed under the authority of the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, §801.306 which states that the Board may adopt rules necessary to administer the chapter.

The amendments affect the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, §801.307 which pertains to continuing education requirements.