California Code of Regulations
Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations
Division 20 - Veterinary Medical Board
Article 6 - Registered Veterinary Technicians
Section 2068.5 - Practical Experience and Education as Equivalent Curriculum
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 12, March 22, 2024
In lieu of a two year curriculum in animal health technology, completion of a combination of practical experience and education in compliance with the following criteria is deemed to be "the equivalent thereof as determined by the board" pursuant to Section 4841.5 of the code:
(a) The education shall consist of a total of 20 semester units, 30 quarter units, or 300 hours of instruction. The education shall be provided by a postsecondary academic institution or a qualified instructor as defined by Section 2068.5(e). The education shall be accumulated in the fundamentals and principles of all of the following subjects:
(b) The education shall include instruction in chemistry, mathematics, biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology, or these subjects may be obtained as separate courses.
(c) All educational requirements in subsection (a) shall have been completed by the applicant within five (5) years prior to the date of the examination for registration as a registered veterinary technician.
(d) Interactive distance-learning shall be accepted if the course meets all the criteria listed in this section and the candidate achieves a documented passing score on the course final examination.
(e) The candidate shall provide the board with a syllabus or an outline for each course. The candidate shall provide documentation of attendance for each course in the form of one of the following:
(f)
(g) The directed clinical practice shall consist of at least 4416 hours, completed in no less than 24 months, of directed clinical practice under the direct supervision of a California-licensed veterinarian who shall attest to the completion of that experience at the time the application is made to the board for the registered veterinary technician examination. This experience shall have been completed by the applicant within five (5) years prior to the date of the examination for registration as a registered veterinary technician.
(h) The directed clinical practice required in subsection (g) shall have provided the applicant with knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of communication with clients, patient examinations, emergency procedures, laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, surgical assisting, anesthesia, animal nursing, nutrition, dentistry, animal behavior, and pharmacology. The supervising veterinarian(s) shall complete a check list attesting to proficiency in specific skill areas within the preceding categories.
1. New section
filed 1-27-89; operative 4-1-89 (Register 89, No. 7). For history of former
section, see Registers 79, No. 7 and 76, No. 36.
2. Repealer of
subsections (a)-(b) and new subsections (a)-(e) filed 11-23-94; operative
12-23-94 (Register 94, No. 47).
3. Change without regulatory effect
amending subsection (b) filed 3-1-96 pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 96, No. 9).
4. Amendment of subsections (c)
and (d) filed 5-25-2000; operative 6-24-2000 (Register 2000, No.
21).
5. Amendment of section heading and section filed 4-2-2002;
operative 5-2-2002 (Register 2002, No. 14).
6. Amendment of
subsections (a)(3), (e)(3), (g) and (h) filed 6-12-2009; operative 7-12-2009
(Register 2009, No. 24).
Note: Authority cited: Section 4808, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 4841.5, Business and Professions Code.