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VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD
VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD
DIVISION 30
CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
875-030-0000
Introduction
Prior to the adoption of these rules, OAR 875-030-0000 through 875-030-0050, the Board referred to the license issued to animal health technicians, pursuant to ORS 686.350 through 686.370 and OAR 875-010-0025, as certificate and to the holders as certified animal health technicians. The Board shall continue to refer to such licenses as certificates, but, from not on, shall refer to the holders as certified veterinary technicians. All individuals who were certified animal health technicians immediately prior to the adoption of these rules shall be considered to be certified veterinary technicians hereafter.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025
875-030-0010
Criteria for Becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician
In order to become a certified veterinary technician, an individual must:
(1) Pass the examinations referred to in OAR 875-030-0020; and
(2) Hold a certificate in veterinary technology (or a comparable certificate) from a college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or other program approved by the board; or
(3)(a) Have at a minimum a Bachelor's degree in a field approved by the Board, e.g., pre-veterinary or animal husbandry, and a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training that meets the requirements of (4); or
(b) Have at a minimum an Associate's degree in a field approved by the Board and a minimum of 3,000 hours of on-the-job training and that meets the requirements of (4); or
(c) Have acquired a minimum of 30 credit hours of training from a school or program approved by the Board in a field approved by the Board, and a minimum of 4,500 hours of on-the-job training that meets the requirements of (4).
(d) For purposes of this section, on-the-job experience must have been obtained in Oregon and must be verified by a licensed Oregon veterinarian.
(4) Applicants who have not graduated from a college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association must provide proof of on-the-job training by submitting W-2 tax forms and payroll-to-date information that substantiates the number of experience hours claimed. Competency in the following technical procedures must be certified by the veterinarian or veterinarians with valid Oregon veterinary licensure who provided or supervised the training:
(a) Medical Terminology;
(b) Basic Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology;
(c) Veterinary Office Procedures;
(d) Basic Pharmacology;
(e) Practical Animal Nutrition;
(f) Nursing Care and Handling of Animals;
(g) Animal Behavior;
(h) Applied Radiography;
(i) Applied Anesthesiology;
(j) Applied Clinical Laboratory Procedures;
(k) Principles and Practices of Medical and Surgical Assistance;
(l) Animal Diseases;
(5) The Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) eligibility criteria in 3(a)(b) and (c) are effective through 2012. Effective 2013, only applicants who have graduated from a college approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association will be eligible to sit for the VTNE.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025; VMEB 2-2000, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-00; VMEB 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 2-8-06; VMEB 2-2006, f. & cert. ef. 5-11-06; VMEB 10-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-22-08; VMEB 15-2008, f. & cert. ef. 12-15-08; VMEB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-09; VMEB 3-2010, f. & cert. ef. 5-6-10; VMEB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 3-2-11
875-030-0020
Examinations for Certified Veterinary Technicians
(1) Applicants for certification as veterinary technicians shall pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) with a criterion score of 425 or greater. The Board will accept VTNE scores transferred to Oregon through the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA) if the examination was taken in another state.
(2) In addition to the VTNE, applicants must successfully complete an open book examination on the Oregon Veterinary Practice Act and Administrative Rules relating to veterinary medicine and veterinary technology, with a passing score of at least 95 percent, and the Regional Disease Test, with a passing score of 100 percent.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025; VME 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 11-6-96; VMEB 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 2-8-06; VMEB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-09; VMEB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 3-2-11
875-030-0025
Application for Certified Veterinary Technicians
(1) Applications for certification shall include:
(a) An application form available from the Board office signed by the applicant;
(b) The application fee of $25 payable to the Board;
(c)(A) Copy of diploma or verification of impending graduation from school; or
(B) Proof of experience as required in OAR 875-030-0010(4).
(d) Completion of the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam and Regional Disease Test; and
(e) The VTNE score report if the examination was taken in another state.
(f) Letters of good standing from any other state the applicant is or has been licensed in as a veterinary technician.
(2) All applications for the VTNE, including those from applicants claiming on-the-job experience, must be made directly to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB, www.aavsb.org). Applicants referred to the Board from AAVSB will be evaluated on an individual basis according to the requirements of (2)(b), (c) and (d). The application fee for certification if the VTNE was taken in another state is $25 payable to the Board.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.225 & 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025; VMEB 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 2-8-06; VMEB 2-2006, f. & cert. ef. 5-11-06; VMEB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-15-09; VMEB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 3-2-11
875-030-0030
Issuance of Certificates, Fees, Renewals for Certified Veterinary Technicians
(1) Upon filing a complete application and meeting all the criteria of OAR 875-030-0010, the Board will issue the applicant a certificate that the person is certified a veterinary technician.
(2) Each certification shall expire on December 31st of each year.
(3) On or about November 1 of each year, the Board will send a renewal application to the last known address of the certified veterinary technician on file with the Board. Each certified veterinary technician shall keep the Board advised of the certified veterinary technician's address at all times. The Board shall be entitled to rely on its records, regardless whether the certified veterinary technician actually keeps the Board so advised.
(4) Veterinary technician certificates may be renewed annually without re-examination upon timely application. A renewal application accompanied by the annual fee of $25 must be returned to the Board postmarked no later than December 31st of each year in order to be considered timely filed.
(a) Renewal forms received or postmarked between January 1st and 31st will incur a late fee of $10.
(b) Renewal forms received or postmarked between February 1st and February 28 or 29 will incur a late fee of $20.
(c) Renewal forms received or postmarked between March 1st and April 30 will incur a late fee of $25.
(d) If the veterinary technician's certification lapses, a 21-month grace period begins. The veterinary technician may renew the certification within the 21-month period by paying the maximum delinquent fee and the current annual renewal fee, and by providing documentation of veterinary technician activities, including having completed 15 hours of approved continuing education, during the interim. After 21 months, the certification may be revoked and the veterinary technician may have to requalify for certification by taking an examination specified by the board.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.255 & 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025; VMEB 1-2008, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-08
875-030-0040
Supervision of Certified Veterinary Technicians
(1) All duties of certified veterinary technicians must be performed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. At minimum, 'supervision' means that each act shall be performed by the certified veterinary technician only after receiving specific directions from a licensed veterinarian.
(2) Certified veterinary technicians may perform the following acts:
(a) Obtain and record information:
(A) Complete admission records, including recording the statements made by the client concerning the patient's problems and history. The certified veterinary technician may also record the technician's own observations of the patient. However, the certified veterinary technician cannot state or record his or her opinion concerning diagnosis of the patient;
(B) Maintain daily progress records, surgery logs, X-ray logs, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) logs, and all other routine records as directed by the supervising veterinarian.
(b) Prepare Patients, Instruments, Equipment and Medicant for Surgery:
(A) Prepare and sterilize surgical packs;
(B) Clip, surgically scrub, and disinfect the surgical site in preparation for surgery;
(C) Administer preanesthetic drugs as prescribed by the supervising veterinarian;
(D) Position the patient for anesthesia;
(E) Induce anesthesia as prescribed by the supervising veterinarian;
(F) Operate anesthetic machines, oxygen equipment, and monitoring equipment.
(G) Place an endotracheal tube for the purpose of delivering oxygen and anesthetic gas to the patient requiring inhalant anesthesia.
(c) Collect specimens and perform laboratory procedures:
(A) Collect urine, feces, sputum, and all other excretions and secretions for laboratory analysis;
(B) Collect blood samples for laboratory analysis;
(C) Collect skin scrapings;
(D) Perform routine laboratory procedures including urinalysis, fecal analyses, hematological and serological examinations.
(d) Apply and remove wound and surgical dressings, casts, and splints;
(e) Assist the veterinarian in diagnostic, medical, and surgical proceedings:
(A) Monitor and record the patient's vital signs;
(B) Medically bathe the patient;
(C) Administer topical, oral hypodermic, and intravenous medication as directed by the supervising veterinarian;
(D) Operate X-ray equipment and other diagnostic imaging equipment;
(E) Take electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, and tracings;
(F) Perform dental prophylaxis, including operating ultrasonic dental instruments pursuant to OAR 875-015-0050.
(G) Perform extractions under the immediate supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(H) Administer rabies vaccine under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(I) Under direct supervision of a veterinarian, inject or implant a permanent identification device.
(3) Certified veterinary technicians may perform other acts not specifically enumerated herein under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Oregon. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a veterinarian technician to do the following:
(a) Make any diagnosis;
(b) Prescribe any treatments;
(c) Perform surgery, except as an assistant to the veterinarian;
(d) Sign a rabies vaccination or any other animal health certificate.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025; VMEB 1-2002(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-23-02 thru 10-20-02; Administrative correction 12-2-02; VMEB 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 2-8-06; VMEB 2-2006, f. & cert. ef. 5-11-06; VMEB 1-2008, f. &cert. ef. 2-11-08; VMEB 11-2008, f. &cert. ef. 7-22-08
875-030-0050
Practice Limitations for Individuals not Certified as Veterinary Technicians
Persons who are not certified by this Board as veterinary technicians may perform under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian all acts that a certified veterinary technician may perform except for OAR 875-030-0040(2)(b)(E), (induce anesthesia, except to place an endotracheal tube to establish an airway in emergencies), (2)(b)(G) (place an endotracheal tube), (2)(e)(D) (operate X-ray equipment) unless the person has completed 20 hours training in radiograph safety as required by the Oregon State Health Division (OAR 333-106-0055)(2)(e)(G) (perform dental extractions), (2)(e)(H) (administer rabies vaccine) and (875-030-0040(I)) (inject or implant a permanent identification device).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.350 - 686.370
Hist.: VE 5, f. & ef. 8-3-76; VME 3-1983, f. & ef. 1-21-83; VME 2-1989, f. 8-29-89, cert. ef. 10-1-89; VME 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-24-91; VME 3-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-91; VME 3-1992, f. & cert. ef. 10-9-92; Renumbered from 875-010-0025; VMEB 1-2002(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 4-23-02 thru 10-20-02; Administrative correction 12-2-02; VMEB 1-2008, f. &cert. ef. 2-11-08; VMEB 5-2008, f. & cert. ef. 5-12-08; VMEB 12-2008, f. &cert. ef. 7-22-08; VMEB16-2008, f. &cert. ef. 12-15-08
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