Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Rule Subject: Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians
Adm. Code Reference: VE 1 to 11
Rules Clearinghouse #:
DATCP Docket #: 19-R-07
Rule Summary
The proposed rule makes structural changes, minor language changes, and telehealth changes as described below.
Structural Changes
-Consolidates the eleven existing rule chapters into three chapters: one for veterinarians, one for veterinary technicians, and one for the professional assistance program. Consolidation makes the rules easier to access quickly.
-Adds a chapter for relevant complaint procedures that did not transfer in the previous rules from DSPS to DATCP.
-States the current fee amounts in rule. Fee amounts do not change.
Minor Language Changes
-Makes changes regarding procedures and processes.
-Removes the word annual from references to the review of colleges and technical schools.
-Expands the temporary veterinary permit process to include applicants who are scheduled to take or are awaiting results from the examination on state laws and rules.
-Clarifies that applicants for licensure who have previously been licensed in Wisconsin or another jurisdiction must apply by endorsement.
-Adds for clarity and consistency a section identifying common situations in which the board may require additional information from an applicant when reviewing an application.
-States more clearly that the board may reprimand the licensee or deny, suspend, limit or revoke a credential for cause, including filing an incomplete or fraudulent application, misrepresenting information on an application, or violating the rule chapter or ch. Wis. Stat. 89.
-Makes technical changes and updates.
-Adds the denial of a license to the list of reasons for a temporary veterinary permit to expire.
-Allows applicants to provide proof of graduation through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), which allows for electronic submissions using the AAVSB online system.
-Adds direction in the rules to assure the requirements for access to health care records required in Wis. Stat. s. 89.075 are clear and consistently applied. -Removes an obsolete provision regarding continuing education auditing of journal articles read. The Board previously eliminated the ability to self-study journal articles and mistakenly did not also eliminate this provision regarding auditing.
-Clarifies the continuing education requirements for persons who have not been credentialed for more than 5 years.
-Adds language to clearly state license exemptions.
-Allows veterinarians to delegate additional veterinary medical acts to certified veterinary technicians and unlicensed assistants.
-Allows veterinarians to delegate the placement of intravenous catheters to unlicensed assistants under the direct supervision of the veterinarian present on the premises, per requests from stakeholders.
-Additional changes to the delegation of veterinary medical acts are included in the telehealth section of this summary.
-Makes changes for consistency and ease of use the places in which rule requirements repeat, or refer to requirements in statute.
-Modifies language regarding unprofessional conduct so that it also refers to Wis. Stat. s. 89.07 (1). -Modifies language regarding prescribing and dispensing a veterinary drug to refer to Wis. Stat. s. 89.068 (1) (c) allows. -Makes a correction to the delegation of rabies vaccinations to reflect Wis. Stat. s. 95.21 (2) (a).
-Modifies terminology for clarity and consistency.
-Adds additional definitions and updates existing definitions language for clarity.
-Renames “temporary permit” to “temporary veterinary permit” and renamed “temporary consulting permit” to “veterinary consulting permit.”
-Changes language to use the word “dispense” rather than “sell” to be more consistent with statutory language and definitions to make the language clearer and easier to understand.
-Adds a note clarifying that the board accepts “veterinary nurse” as equivalent to “veterinary technician.”
Telehealth Changes
-Adds definitions related to telehealth.
-Adds definitions related to veterinary consulting and clarifies that a consulting veterinarian or other consultant may not do any of the following:
-Visit the patient or client or communicate directly with the client without the knowledge of the attending veterinarian.
-Take charge of a case or problem without the consent of the attending veterinarian and the client.
