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State Board of Veterinary Medicine: News

 

New Vet Tech Registration Becoming Colorado Law by 2024

The Colorado General Assembly recently passed House Bill 22-1235 which, in part, creates the regulation of Veterinary Technicians in Colorado. It is important to know that anyone practicing as a Veterinary Technician must be registered by the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine by Jan. 1, 2024.

Veterinary Technicians in Colorado previously could hold a certification, but this new registration codifies the profession in statute and creates a new profession under state law.

The Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT) has been approved by the Board of Veterinary Medicine as the credentialing entity in Colorado. CACVT will verify that the applicant has the required qualifications for registration

Applicants should apply directly with CACVT and, once credentialed, will need to submit: a completed application to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO); the required fee for registration approval; and verification that the applicant holds a current credential from CACVT.

Those persons not yet credentialed who have been practicing as a Veterinary Technician but do not meet the registration requirements will have the opportunity to obtain a provisional registration through DPO, subject to all laws, rules, and policies of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine. These individuals will eventually need to obtain a full credential through CACVT prior to expiration of the provisional registration.

The following information is being provided as a courtesy, with the anticipated adoption of Board Rules around Veterinary Technicians in mid to late December. Here are a few items to consider with that target date approaching.

  • Veterinary Technician registration applications will be available for qualified candidates on Jan. 1, 2023. Registration will be required on Jan. 1, 2024.
  • Provisional registration applications will only be available from Jan. 1, 2023 through Jan. 1, 2024.  Please note: There is no requirement to register until Jan. 1, 2024 but qualified individuals may be issued a registration prior to that date. These provisional registrations will no longer be renewable after Jan. 1, 2028.
  • Only a person registered as a Veterinary Technician will have the ability to use the titles “Veterinary Technician” or “Registered Veterinary Technician” or the initials “VT” or “RVT” on or after Jan. 1, 2024.
  • Veterinary Technician endorsement registrations (those transferring from another state) must satisfy requirements of the Occupational Credential Portability Program (OCCP) and will be processed through DPO.

Information about the requirements for credentialing by CACVT and registration by endorsement through DPO will soon be available on the DPO website.

Please check both your inbox and the Veterinary website for further information as it becomes available.

 

Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Legislative Update and Training Webinar Recording and Summary/FAQ Document Now Available

In August and September 2022, the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) hosted three webinars concerning several statutory updates to the Colorado PDMP as well as training and resources regarding registration and use of the Colorado PDMP.  A recording of the August 23rd webinar, copy of the presentation slides, and a Summary and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document are now available at dpo.colorado.gov/PDMP/Training.

 

Revised Rules Effective April 14, 2021

Revised rules for the State Board of Veterinary Medicine went into effect on April 14, 2021. The revisions to Rules 1.4(E) and (F), and 1.12(C) were required by the Office of Legislative Legal Services to provide clarity concerning the requirements of sections 12-315-104(19) and 12-20-202(2)(c)(II), C.R.S. 

To view the details of this rulemaking project and track all rule changes, see Tracking Number 2020-00909. The Board encourages all licensees and stakeholders to read the published revised Rules 1.4(E) and (F), and 1.12(C)  Please direct any questions to dora_veterinarymedicineboard@state.co.us.

 

 

New Rule in Effect December 15, 2020

A new rule for the State Board of Veterinarian Medicine went into effect on December 15, 2020. The adopted new rule implements Colorado House Bill 20-1326: Concerning an expansion of an individual's ability to practice an occupation in Colorado through creation of an occupational credential portability program.

To view the details of this rulemaking project and track rule revisions, follow Tracking Number 2020-00731. The Board encourages all licensees and stakeholders to read the final, published New Rule. Please direct any questions to dora_veterinarymedicineboard@state.co.us.  

 

Sunset Review

The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform is conducting a sunset review of the veterinary licensing program. Analysis in a sunset review is performed to determine whether the regulatory program is necessary and should be continued, modified or eliminated. This review will produce a report to the Colorado General Assembly and result in subsequent legislation based on the recommendations in the report. If you would like to submit comments online, please visit COPRRR's website.

 

Listen to PDMP Townhall, new document answers FAQs

The Division of Professions and Occupations hosted a Veterinary Telephone Townhall on July 25, 2019, that addressed Colorado's requirements for prescribers related to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

Among the topics covered were the unique Veterinary Policy for Prescribing and Dispensing Opioids, and potential reservations and pitfalls faced by vets who are or aren't, using the PDMP. A three-person panel comprised of Drs. Lee Newman, Stacey Meola, and Ragan Adams led an informative discussion. The panel has experience in rural and urban settings, with small and large animal populations, and within the academic community, and examined issues related to controlled substance prescribing for veterinarians.

The Townhall recording is available below for those licensees who were unable to participate in this session. A Q-and-A document also can be accessed that answers many frequently asked questions about the PDMP, its use, benefits, and contact information related to its operation.

Town Hall recording July 25, 2019

Q-and-A

 

Revised Opioid Guidelines Endorsed

On March 14, 2019, the revised guidelines for Prescribing and Dispensing Opioids were adopted by all six of Colorado's prescribing and dispensing Boards: the Colorado Dental Board, the Colorado Medical Board, the State Board of Nursing, the State Board of Optometry, the Colorado Podiatry Board, and the State Board of Pharmacy, and endorsed by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

For more information