Continuing Education Now Mandatory in Wisconsin
As most of you have heard by now, the Legislature enacted a law (2003 Wisconsin Act 103) requiring veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians to obtain continuing education to maintain a current license in the state of Wisconsin . In proposing the legislation, the Veterinary Examining Board reviewed the requirements of other states as well as the impact of similar laws on other medical professions. The final law requires that veterinarians obtain a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. It also requires that certified veterinary technicians obtain a minimum of 15 hours every 2 years. To view 2003 Wisconsin Act 103, you may go to http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2003/data/acts/03Act103.pdf .
To view Ch. 453, Stats.,go to: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0453.pdf .
Now that this law has been enacted, the Veterinary Examining Board will need to define exactly what programs will be accepted for continuing education. During this process, the board will receive input from our legal counsel, the Department of Regulation and Licensing, the WVMA, the WVTA as well as from veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians and the general public. Until this process is complete, veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians may assume that any program given by a national, state or regional veterinary medical association or an AVMA-accredited veterinary school will qualify for continuing education hours. Documentation of the hours is the responsibility of the veterinarian and the certified veterinary technician, so be sure to obtain proof of attendance/completion of any CE you complete from now on. More information regarding approved programs will be available in the near future.
