Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
Division 2270 - Missouri Veterinary Medical Board
Chapter 4 - Minimum Standards
Section 20 CSR 2270-4.042 - Minimum Standards for Continuing Education for Veterinarians
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, March 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This amendment updates the minimum standards.
(1) Pursuant to section 340.258, RSMo, all licensees shall provide satisfactory evidence of having completed at least ten (10) hours of continuing education each year that is relevant to the practice of veterinary medicine and in accordance with this rule in order to renew their licenses.
(2) The continuing education reporting period shall begin each year on December 1 and end November 30 of the following year. Continuing education hours earned after November 30 apply to the next reporting cycle. A renewal license will not be issued until all renewal requirements have been met.
(3) For the license renewal due on November 30, 2002, and each subsequent renewal thereafter, the licensee shall certify that he/she has obtained at least ten (10) hours of continuing education during the year preceding the license renewal on the renewal form provided by the board. The renewal form shall be mailed directly to the board office prior to November 30 of each year. The licensee shall not submit the record of continuing education attendance to the board except in the case of a board audit. A licensee is not required to obtain any continuing education hours for the reporting period in which the licensee graduates from an accredited school of veterinary medicine and is initially licensed to practice as a veterinarian in Missouri.
(4) Every licensee shall maintain full and complete records of all approved continuing education hours earned for the two (2) previous reporting periods in addition to the current reporting period. The records shall document the titles of the courses taken, dates, locations, course sponsors, number of hours earned, and certificate of attendance or completion. The board may conduct an audit of licensees to verify compliance with the continuing education requirements. Licensees shall assist the board in its audits by providing timely and complete responses to the board's inquiries.
(5) Violation of any provision of this rule shall be grounds for discipline in accordance with section 340.264, RSMo.
(6) A continuing education hour includes but is not limited to:
(7) The required ten (10) hours may be satisfied through any combination of the following education activities:
(8) Workshops, seminars, and prepared materials on scientific and non-scientific subjects relating to veterinary medicine approved by or sponsored by the following organizations are approved:
(9) With the exception of any of the previously mentioned educational organizations, any other regularly organized group of veterinarians that wants to sponsor an educational program to meet the standards for license renewal in Missouri shall submit one (1) copy of the program schedule and outline to the board's executive director not fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the program. The outline must include the program's subject matter, the number of hours required for its presentation, and the identity and qualifications of the speakers and instructors. The board shall review the schedule and outline to determine if approval will be granted. The board will not consider requests for approval of any program submitted after it has already been presented.
(10) The following scientific journals are approved by the board:
(11) The board shall waive continuing education requirements as required by section 41.946, RSMo, and grant a waiver or an extension of time for continuing education requirements to a licensee for good cause. Any licensee seeking renewal of a license or certificate without having fully complied with these continuing education requirements who wishes to seek a waiver or extension of the requirements shall file with the board a renewal application, a statement setting forth the facts concerning the noncompliance, a request for waiver or an extension of time in which to complete the continuing education requirements and, if desired, a request for an interview before the board. If the board finds from the statement or any other evidence submitted, that good cause has been shown for waiving the continuing education requirements, or any part thereof, or for granting an extension of time in which to obtain the required continuing education hours, the board shall waive part or all of the requirements for the renewal period for which the licensee has applied or grant an extension of time, not to exceed six (6) months, in which to obtain the required continuing education hours. At that time, the licensee will be requested to submit the required renewal fee.
(12) Continuing education credit hours used to satisfy the continuing education requirements of another state may be submitted to fulfill the requirements of this state if the other state's continuing education requirements are substantially equal to or greater than the requirements of this state.
(13) A licensee who completes more than ten (10) continuing education hours, excluding self-study, during the current reporting period may receive credit for the excess hours, not to exceed ten (10), in the next succeeding reporting period. Continuing education hours cannot be carried over more than one (1) continuing education reporting period after being earned.
(14) Any licensee who seeks to renew an inactive, retired, or noncurrent license shall submit proper evidence that s/he has obtained at least ten (10) continuing education hours for each year that his/her license was inactive, retired, or noncurrent. These required approved continuing education credits shall not exceed a total of fifty (50) hours. The required hours must have been obtained within three (3) years prior to renewal.
*Original authority: 41.946, RSMo 1991; 340.210, RSMo 1992, amended 1993, 1995, 1999; 340.258, RSMo 1992, amended 1999; and 340.268, RSMo 1992.