Section R156-28-304a - Continuing Education - VeterinarianUnder Section 58-28-306, there is created a continuing education requirement as a condition for renewal or reinstatement of licenses issued under Title 58, Chapter 28, Veterinary Practice Act. Continuing education shall comply with the following criteria:
(1)(a) During each two-year period commencing on September 30 of each even-numbered year, a licensee shall complete at least 24 hours of qualified continuing education directly related to the licensee's professional practice.(b) At least one hour of the 24 hours shall be specifically related to recognizing opioid use and dependency in office staff, clients, and coworkers.(c) At least one hour of the 24 hours shall be devoted to topics that improve communication in the veterinary workplace for clients, employees, or recruitment, such as for example:(i) clinician-patient relationships;(ii) employee engagement and team building;(iii) diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as topics relating to culture, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or issues such as unconscious bias, cross-culture communication, or access and legal aspects of antidiscrimination;(iv) business writing or other professional communication; or(v) communication skills training, such as topics relating to active listening, non-verbal communication, or communication styles.(2) If a licensee is initially licensed during the two-year period, the licensee's required number of continuing education hours shall be decreased proportionately according to the date of licensure.(3) Continuing education shall: (a) have an identifiable clear statement of purpose and defined objective for the educational program directly related to the practice of a veterinarian;(b) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;(c) be presented in a competent, well organized, and sequential manner consistent with the stated purpose and objective of the program;(d) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training, and experience; and(e) have a competent method of registration of individuals who completed the professional education program, with records of that registration and completion available for review.(4) The Division shall recognize continuing education as follows: (a) unlimited hours for continuing education as a student or presenter, completed in blocks of time of not less than one hour in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, wet labs, or specific veterinary conferences approved or sponsored by one or more of the following:(i) the American Veterinary Medical Association;(ii) the Utah Veterinary Medical Association;(iii) the American Animal Hospital Association;(iv) the American Association of Equine Practitioners;(v) the American Association of Bovine Practitioners;(vi) certifying boards recognized by the AVMA;(vii) other state veterinary medical associations or state licensing boards; or(viii) the Registry of Continuing Education (RACE) of the AASVB;(b) up to five continuing education hours for being the primary author of an article published in a peer reviewed scientific journal, and up to two continuing education hours for being a secondary author;(c) up to six continuing education hours in practice management courses; and(d) if the course has no instructor or the instructor is not physically present, such as for internet, audio and visual recordings, broadcast seminars, mail, or other correspondence courses, the course shall assure the licensee's participation and acquisition of the knowledge and skills intended by an examination.(5) A licensee shall maintain documentation sufficient to prove compliance with this section for two years after the end of the two-year renewal cycle for which the continuing education is due.(6) A licensee who cannot complete the continuing education requirement for reasons such as a medical or related condition, humanitarian or ecclesiastical services, or extended presence in a geographical area where continuing education is not available, may be excused from the requirement for up to three years under Section R156-1-308d.Utah Admin. Code R156-28-304a
Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-21, effective 10/23/2020Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-04, effective 2/9/2022Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-21, effective 10/12/2023