Chapter VE 2

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:

VE 2.26(1) (1) Unprofessional conduct under s. 89.07 (1), Stats.

VE 2.26(2) (2) Performing as a veterinary technician unless supervised as specified under s. VE 1.44 (4), (5), (6), and (9).

VE 2.26(3) (3) Misrepresentation in obtaining a veterinary technician certificate or in performing as a veterinary technician.

VE 2.26(4) (4) Conduct in the practice of veterinary technology which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

VE 2.26(5) (5) Gross, serious, or grave negligence, as compared to less serious or more ordinary acts of negligence, while performing as a veterinary technician.

VE 2.26(6) (6) The personal use, misuse or sale other than for medical treatment of patients, of drugs listed in the U.S. controlled substances act of 1970, as amended, or ch. 961, Stats., other than drugs prescribed by a physician for use by the veterinary technician.

VE 2.26(7) (7) Practicing or attempting to practice while the veterinary technician has a physical or mental impairment, including impairment related to drugs or alcohol, which is reasonably related to the applicant’s ability to adequately undertake the practice of veterinary technology in a manner consistent with the safety of a patient or the public.

VE 2.26(8) (8) Being convicted of a crime the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of veterinary technology.

VE 2.26(9) (9) Violating or aiding and abetting the violation of any law or administrative rule substantially related to the practice of veterinary technology.

VE 2.26(10) (10) Having a veterinary technician certificate limited, suspended or revoked or subject to any other disciplinary action in another state or U.S. jurisdiction.

VE 2.26(11) (11) Accepting fees for animal health care services from a client.

VE 2.26(12) (12) Practicing under an expired certificate.

VE 2.26(13) (13) Falsely certifying to the board under s. VE 2.14 (5) that the veterinary technician:

VE 2.26(13)(a) (a) Has completed the 15 hours of continuing education required under s. VE 2.14 (1).

VE 2.26(13)(b) (b) Is exempt under s. VE 2.14 (2) from having to complete the 15 hours of continuing education required under s. VE 2.14 (1).

VE 2.26(14) (14) Advertising, as defined under s. VE 1.02 (3), a specialty or claiming to be a specialist when not recognized as such by a veterinary technician specialty academy recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America or by a foreign veterinary technician specialty academy which, in the opinion of the board, is equivalent to a National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America recognized veterinary technician specialty academy.

VE 2.26 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22; correction in (1) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2022 No. 799.

VE 2.28 VE 2.28 Board action. The board may reprimand the certificate holder or deny, suspend, limit or revoke a certification under this chapter for cause, including any of the following:

VE 2.28(1) (1) Filing an incomplete or fraudulent application, or misrepresenting any information on an application.

VE 2.28(2) (2) Violating this chapter or ch. 89, Stats.

VE 2.28 History History: CR 21-062: cr. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.