Continuing Education Requirements
Veterinarians must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years in order to renew their license. See WAC 246-933-401 through WAC 246-933-460 for continuing education requirements. Live, Web-based courses are not subject to an hour limitation as long as they occur in real time, attendees receive written or verbal responses to their questions, and other veterinarians are able to participate at the same time.
Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Requirement
There is a requirement to complete a one-time suicide prevention continuing education in accordance with RCW 18.92.280 (the law enacted by the legislature), WAC 246-933-435, and WAC 246-935-305 (the administrative rules adopted by the Veterinary Board of Governors).
The rules require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to take a one-time, three-hour training. The training program must include content that covers mental health and wellbeing; suicide risk, prevention, and resourcing; and imminent harm by lethal means. The three hours of training may count toward the existing required continuing education hours.
The board has approved an online curriculum, Suicide Prevention for Veterinary Professionals, to meet this requirement, and it is now available through the Forefront Suicide Prevention’s learning management system. Forefront is a center of excellence at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work. This is a free online course for veterinarians and veterinary technicians that can be completed at their convenience.
When is continuing education required?
Renewal and continuing education periods are birthday-based; the first person required to complete the training is someone whose birthday is July 1, 2022. Their training would be due in that two-year CE cycle, so due by June 30, 2024.
Be sure to print and save your completion certificate after completing the course for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I obtain free courses in Health Equity Continuing Education?
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Free courses and information pertaining to health equity continuing education are on our Health Equity Continuing Education webpage.
- When and why were the continuing education rules changed?
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In 2018, the veterinary board of governors determined it was time to modernize the continuing education (CE) rules. Washington had one of the lowest requirements among states regarding the number of hours a veterinarian must earn each year. The board also wanted to address a number of policy issues, including expanding the list of approved CE providers and discontinuing its practice of approving CE case-by-case.
Rule language was revised and became effective in 2019. CE rules can be found in chapter 246-933 WAC. - Where can I find CE rule language?
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The CE rules are posted on the Washington State Legislature's website in chapter 246-933 WAC. The approved list of CE providers is located in WAC 246-933-460.
- How did the rules change?
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Following the revision to the continuing education rules in 2019, the most significant change was the requirement for 30 hours of CE over a two-year period. Previously, 30 hours were due every three years. The transition was rolled out over the next three years as follows:
If continuing education is due on the veterinarian's renewal date in: The next continuing education due date is on the veterinarian's renewal date in the year below and every two years thereafter: If continuing education is due on the veterinarian's renewal date in: 2019 The next continuing education due date is on the veterinarian's renewal date in the year below and every two years thereafter: 2021 If continuing education is due on the veterinarian's renewal date in: 2020 The next continuing education due date is on the veterinarian's renewal date in the year below and every two years thereafter: 2022 If continuing education is due on the veterinarian's renewal date in: 2021 The next continuing education due date is on the veterinarian's renewal date in the year below and every two years thereafter: 2023 Other proposed changes to the rule are summarized below:
Topic Previous rule New rule Topic Alternatives to Meeting the Requirement Previous rule There are no alternatives to meeting the CE requirement other than attaining 30 hours. New rule Veterinarians may meet their CE requirement by achieving board certification or by being enrolled in a residency program throughout their entire CE period. The licensee must have been enrolled in a residency program approved by a veterinary specialty organization recognized by the AVMA. Credit may be obtained for a maximum of two reporting periods. Topic Scientific Coursework Previous rule There is no minimum requirement for scientific or clinic courses. New rule A minimum of 20 scientific or clinical hours are required. Topic Teaching as Credit Previous rule There is no credit allowance for teaching. New rule A maximum of 10 hours may be obtained through teaching via an approved provider or through a healthcare learning institution. Topic Credit for Webinars Previous rule Rules are silent on how live, interactive web-based study is counted. New rule Clarifies that there is no credit limit for live courses attended remotely, provided attendees have the documented opportunity to question the instructor, hear the questions of other attendees, and receive responses in real time Topic Approved Providers Previous rule The approved provider list is somewhat limited. New rule Expands the approved provider list to include several new approved organizations and individuals. Topic Board Approval of CE Courses Previous rule If the CE provider or course is not approved by rule, the board will review CE courses case-by-case, as requested. New rule Sets a process for the board to review courses not approved by rule. Expansion of the approved provider list. Topic CE Audits Previous rule There is not clarity on the CE audit process. New rule Clarifies required documentation when a veterinarian is audited. - How do I document CE earned outside of traditional CE hours?
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If you choose an alternative to traditional CE hours, you'll need to provide evidence of your board specialty certification or residency status. For board-certified licensees, this requirement can be met only for the reporting period when specialty certification is achieved. For residents, the licensee must be in their residency for the entire reporting period and can use this option for a maximum of two reporting periods.
- How do I know whether the CE I take qualifies?
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As long as your CE courses meet the requirements in WAC 246-933-401 through 246-933-460, contribute to your professional knowledge and development, enhance services you provide to patients, and contribute to your ability to deliver current standards of care, they'll most likely meet the new requirement. Use the CE provider guide to help you understand more about the approved CE provider list in WAC 246-933-460.
- Is there a tool to help me track my continuing education?
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The Veterinary Continuing Education Tracking (VCET) tool provided by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) allows you to record all your CE coursework in a centralized database. VCET is a free program for veterinary professionals and provides an easy way for you to communicate your CE to the board. See AAVSB's website for more information.
If you have a MyAAVSB account already, then you automatically have VCET on your MyAAVSB portal. If you don't have a MyAAVSB account, just complete the brief application.
Approved Providers of Veterinary Continuing Education
WAC 246-933-460 (Organizations, Institutions, and Individuals approved to provide continuing education courses)
The veterinary board approves continuing education courses provided by, but not limited to the following:
- The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD)
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The AAVLD promotes continuous improvement and public awareness of veterinary diagnostic laboratories by advancing the discipline of veterinary diagnostic laboratory science. Visit their website for more information.
- The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE)
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The RACE®program develops and applies uniform standards related to providers and programs of continuing education (CE) in veterinary medicine. Visit their website for more information.
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
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The AVMA is the nation's leading advocate for the veterinary profession. Visit their website for more information.
- AVMA Council on Education (COE) accredited veterinary medical colleges
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The AVMA COEis the accrediting body for schools and programs that offer a professional DVM degree or its equivalent in the U.S. and Canada. The council may also approve accredit foreign veterinary colleges. Visit their website for more information.
- AVMA recognized veterinary specialty organizations
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The American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the AVMA recognizes veterinary specialty organizations and veterinary specialties promoting advanced levels of competency in well-defined fields of veterinary medicine. Visit their website for more information.
- A board-certified veterinarian who is certified by a veterinary specialty organization recognized by the AVMA when teaching a course within his or her area of certification
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Board-certified veterinarians can be searched for on each specialty organization's webpage. Links to each specialty organization are included on their website.
- Federal, state or local governmental agencies
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Including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Agriculture, and Washington State Department of Health.
- An instructor with credentials or qualifications in the health, husbandry, or therapy of minor species
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CE providers and participating veterinarians must apply due diligence to ensure education contributes to the professional knowledge and development of the practitioner, enhances services provided to patients, and contributes to the practitioner's ability to deliver current standards of care.
- Any international, national, state, provincial, regional or local veterinary medical association
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This includes the World Veterinary Association, American Veterinary Association (AVMA), AVMA member boards, and regional or local VMAs under the umbrella of a state VMA.
- The Resources for Alternative and Integrative Veterinary Medical Education (RAIVE)
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RAIVE consists of a group of veterinarians who have AVMA-recognized board certification, one or more advanced degrees (e.g., OMD and PhD degrees) in addition to their veterinary degree, a faculty position in a veterinary school, VIN consultancy, publication of standard texts within the field, and/or a private (often AAHA-accredited) practice, who all have expertise in one or more areas of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM).
- A resident or intern in training for an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization under the supervision of a board-certified veterinarian
- The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)
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The USAHA is a forum for communication and coordination among State and Federal governments, universities, industry, and other concerned groups for consideration of issues of animal health and disease control, animal welfare, food safety, and public health. Visit their website for more information.
- A veterinarian who is a faculty member of an accredited college of veterinary medicine, when teaching a course within his or her area of expertise
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This website provides a list of AVMA-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine. Visit their website for more information.
- The Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP)
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The WPHP facilitates the rehabilitation of healthcare professionals who have health conditions that could compromise patient safety, and to monitor their recovery. The WPHP offers mindfulness programs that can enhance a veterinarian's practice management:
- What other CE providers has the board approved?
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- Approval of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
- Graduates of an AVMA-recognized residency program who are eligible to sit for board exams. Residency graduates are eligible continuing education providers for up to one year after graduation.