Chapter VE 2

VE 2.04(1)(e) (e) Provides verification of licensure records and status which has been provided directly to the board by the jurisdictions or the American Association of Veterinary State Boards for every state or country in which the applicant has ever held a license or certificate to practice veterinary technology.

VE 2.04 Note Note: The board accepts the classification of “veterinary nurse” in other jurisdictions as equivalent to “veterinary technician.”

VE 2.04(1)(f) (f) Does not have a conviction record or pending criminal charge relating to an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of veterinary technology. An applicant who has a conviction record or pending criminal charge shall request appropriate authorities to provide information about the record or charge directly to the board in sufficient specificity to enable the board to make a determination.

VE 2.04(1)(g) (g) Provides all supporting documents in English.

VE 2.04(2) (2) The board shall review its records to determine eligibility of the applicant. Within 30 business days of determining an applicant is eligible for certification, the board shall issue a certificate to the applicant.

VE 2.04(3) (3) The board shall inquire as to whether the applicant is competent to practice as a veterinary technician in this state and shall impose any reasonable conditions on instatement of the certificate, including reexamination, as the board deems appropriate, if any of the following apply:

VE 2.04(3)(a) (a) The applicant has not previously been certified in any jurisdiction and passed the VTNE more than 5 years ago.

VE 2.04(3)(b) (b) The applicant was previously certified in Wisconsin or another jurisdiction and has not been certified in any jurisdiction for more than 5 years.

VE 2.04(3)(c) (c) The applicant has prior related discipline or litigation in another jurisdiction.

VE 2.04(3)(d) (d) The applicant has pending related discipline or litigation in any jurisdiction.

VE 2.04 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.06 VE 2.06 Reciprocal credentials for service members, former services members, their spouses.

VE 2.06(1) (1) The board shall grant a certification to an individual who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 89.073, Stats.

VE 2.06(2) (2) A person applying for a reciprocal credential under s. 89.073, Stats., shall pay one of the following nonrefundable fees as applicable:

VE 2.06(2)(a) (a) $40 for a service member or former service member.

VE 2.06(2)(b) (b) $141 for a spouse as defined by s. 89.073 (1) (c), Stats.

VE 2.06 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22; correction in (1), (2) (intro.), (b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2022 No. 799.

VE 2.08 VE 2.08 Passing scores.

VE 2.08(1) (1) The passing score for veterinary technician applicants on the written national examination shall be based on the board’s determination of the level of examination performance required for minimum acceptable competence in the profession. The board shall make the determination after consultation with subject matter experts who have reviewed a representative sample of the examination questions and available candidate performance statistics, and shall set the passing score for the examination at that point that represents minimum acceptable competence in the profession. The board may accept the recommendation of the national examination provider.

VE 2.08(2) (2) The passing score for an examination on state laws and rules related to the practice of veterinary technology shall be based on the board’s determination of the level of examination performance required for minimum acceptable competence in the profession. The board shall make the determination after consultation with subject matter experts who have reviewed a representative sample of the examination questions and available candidate performance statistics, and shall set the passing score for the examination at that point that represents minimum acceptable competence in the profession.

VE 2.08 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.10 VE 2.10 Administrative fees.

VE 2.10(1) (1) A person requesting a printed certificate shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $10.

VE 2.10(2) (2) A person requesting verification of certification to another state or organization shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $10.

VE 2.10 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.12 VE 2.12 Renewal of certification. A certificate expires if not renewed by January 1 of even-numbered years. A certificate holder who allows the certificate to expire may apply to the board for renewal of the certificate as follows:

VE 2.12(1) (1) If the certificate holder applies for renewal of the certificate less than 5 years after its expiration, the certificate shall be renewed upon payment of the renewal fee and late fee and fulfillment of 15 hours of continuing education required under s. VE 2.14 completed before the certificate renewal.

VE 2.12(2) (2) If the certificate holder applies for renewal of the certificate 5 or more years after its expiration, in addition to requiring the certificate holder to pay the renewal fee and late fee, and to fulfill the continuing education hours required under s. VE 2.14 completed before the certificate renewal, the board shall inquire as to whether the applicant is competent to practice as a veterinary technician in this state and shall impose any reasonable conditions on renewal of the certificate including reexamination, as the board deems appropriate. An applicant under this subsection is presumed to be competent to practice as a veterinary technician in this state if at the time of application for renewal the applicant holds a full unexpired certificate issued by a similar licensing board of another state or territory of the United States or of a foreign country or province whose standards, in the opinion of the board, are equivalent to or higher than the requirements for certification in this state. Notwithstanding any presumptions of competency under this subsection, the board shall require each applicant under this subsection to pass the examination specified under s. VE 2.04 (2).

VE 2.12(3) (3) The certificate holder shall pay a nonrefundable renewal fee of $160.

VE 2.12(4) (4) A certificate holder who submits a certificate renewal after January 1 of even numbered years shall pay, in addition to the renewal fee under sub. (3), a nonrefundable late fee of $25.

VE 2.12 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.14 VE 2.14 Continuing education; requirements.

VE 2.14(1) (1) 

VE 2.14(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (3), a veterinary technician shall complete at least 15 hours of continuing education pertinent to veterinary medicine or veterinary technology in each biennial renewal period. The 15 hours of continuing education shall include at least 10 hours of continuing education that relates to scientific topics pertinent to veterinary medicine.

VE 2.14(1)(b) (b) All 15 continuing education hours required in this subsection shall be documented. A minimum of 12 hours of continuing education shall be documented by an approved continuing education provider.

VE 2.14(1)(c) (c) A continuing education hour shall consist of 50 minutes of contact time.

VE 2.14(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an applicant who applies to renew a certificate that expires on the first expiration date after the initial issuance of the certificate.

VE 2.14(3) (3) The board may waive the requirements under sub. (1) if it finds that exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged illness, disability, or other similar circumstances, have prevented an applicant from meeting the requirements.

VE 2.14(4) (4) Continuing education hours shall be completed during the preceding 2-year certification period.

VE 2.14(5) (5) To obtain credit for completion of continuing education hours, a certificate holder shall, at the time of each renewal, sign a statement saying that the certificate holder has completed, during the preceding 2-year certification period, the continuing education programs required under sub. (1).

VE 2.14(6) (6) A veterinary technician who fails to complete the continuing education requirements by the renewal date shall not practice as a veterinary technician until the certificate is renewed.

VE 2.14(7) (7) For auditing purposes, every veterinary technician shall maintain records of continuing education hours for at least 5 years from the date the certification statement required under sub. (5) is signed. The board may audit for compliance by requiring a veterinary technician to submit evidence of compliance to the board for the biennium immediately preceding the biennium in which the audit is performed. Documentation of completion of continuing education hours shall include one of the following:

VE 2.14(7)(a) (a) A certificate of attendance from an approved course provider.

VE 2.14(7)(b) (b) A grade report or transcript from an accredited college or university.

VE 2.14(7)(c) (c) A copy of a published work authored or co-authored by the licensee.

VE 2.14(7)(d) (d) A copy of a meeting syllabus, announcement, abstract or proceeding for a presentation.

VE 2.14(7)(f) (f) A signed document from an internship or residency institution certifying enrollment in a program.

VE 2.14 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.16 VE 2.16 Continuing education; programs and courses.

VE 2.16(1) (1) Criteria for programs and course approval. To be approved, a continuing education program or course shall meet the following criteria:

VE 2.16(1)(a) (a) The subject matter of the program or course shall be pertinent to veterinary technology.

VE 2.16(1)(b) (b) The program or course sponsor agrees to record registration and furnish a certificate of attendance to each participant.

VE 2.16(2) (2) Unrelated subject matter. if a continuing education course includes subject matter that is not pertinent to veterinary technology, only those portions of the course that relate to veterinary technology will qualify as continuing education under this chapter.

VE 2.16(3) (3) Modalities and methods of delivery. Modalities and methods of delivery of continuing education programs acceptable to the board include one or more of the following:

VE 2.16(3)(a) (a) Attendance at a scientific workshop, seminar, or laboratory demonstration pertinent to veterinary technology.

VE 2.16(3)(b) (b) Enrollment in graduate or other college level courses pertinent to veterinary technology. Credit for qualified courses will be approved on the basis of multiplying each college credit hour by 10.

VE 2.16(3)(c) (c) Enrollment in an internship, residency or certification program approved by a veterinary specialty organization recognized by the AVMA or in an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.

VE 2.16(3)(d) (d) Authorship or co-authorship of a published work, such as review articles, abstracts, presentations, proceedings, book chapters, and web-based continuing education materials shall be approved for 5 hours each.

VE 2.16(3)(e) (e) A peer reviewed publication shall be approved for 5 hours.

VE 2.16(3)(f) (f) Development and presentation of research findings, scientific workshops, seminars or laboratory demonstrations pertinent to veterinary technology shall be approved for 5 contact hours each.

VE 2.16(3)(g) (g) Up to 8 hours per biennium shall be granted for a combination of continuing education hours completed under pars. (d) to (f), provided the continuing education is published or presented under the auspices of a provider approved under sub. (4).

VE 2.16(3)(h) (h) On-line, video, audio, correspondence courses, or other interactive distance learning courses pertinent to veterinary technology, or to employment as a veterinary technician.

VE 2.16(4) (4) Approved program providers. Subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in subs. (1) to (3), the board shall approve attendance at and completion of one or more continuing education programs approved by any one of the following approved program providers as fulfilling the continuing education hours required under this chapter:

VE 2.16(4)(a) (a) A national, regional, state, or local veterinary medical or veterinary technician association.

VE 2.16(4)(b) (b) A federal or state agency.

VE 2.16(4)(c) (c) An accredited college or university.

VE 2.16(4)(d) (d) An association listed in the AVMA or the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America directory.

VE 2.16(4)(e) (e) An AVMA accredited veterinary school or veterinary technician program.

VE 2.16(4)(f) (f) A program approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards through its Registry of Approved Continuing Education approval program.

VE 2.16(4)(g) (g) A foreign veterinary medical or veterinary technician association, an accredited college or university, or a governmental agency that is, as determined by the board comparable to a program provider listed under pars. (a) to (f).

VE 2.16 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22; correction in (3) (c) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2022 No. 799.

subch. III of ch. VE 2 Subchapter III – Standards of Practice and Unprofessional Conduct

VE 2.18 VE 2.18 Prohibited acts. The following acts are limited to veterinarians and therefore prohibited for veterinary technicians:

VE 2.18(1) (1) Diagnosis and prognosis of animal diseases and conditions.

VE 2.18(2) (2) Prescribing of drugs, medicines, treatments and appliances.

VE 2.18(3) (3) Performing surgery as defined by VE 1.44 (2) (c).

VE 2.18 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.20 VE 2.20 Change of name and address. Every veterinary technician shall notify the board of a change of name or address within 30 days.

VE 2.20 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.22 VE 2.22 Display of certificate. Each veterinary technician shall display a current certificate in a manner conspicuous to the public view.

VE 2.22 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.24 VE 2.24 Standards of practice.

VE 2.24(1) (1) Veterinary technicians may perform delegated veterinary acts as set forth under s. VE 1.44 (4), (5), (6), and (9).

VE 2.24(2) (2) In the performance of delegated veterinary acts a veterinary technician shall:

VE 2.24(2)(a) (a) Accept only those delegated veterinary acts for which there are mutually approved protocols, written standing orders or verbal directions.

VE 2.24(2)(b) (b) Accept only those delegated veterinary acts for which the veterinary technician is competent to perform based on education, training or experience.

VE 2.24(2)(c) (c) Consult with a veterinarian in cases where the veterinary technician knows or should know a delegated veterinary act may harm a patient.

VE 2.24 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

VE 2.26 VE 2.26 Unprofessional conduct. The following acts constitute unprofessional conduct by a veterinary technician and are prohibited: