Veterinary Medical Board’s MDC endorses consolidated continuing-education law package; expands limited CE credit for pro bono work and meeting attendance

The Veterinary Medical Board’s Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MDC) approved a legislative package on Jan. 14 to consolidate several continuing-education (CE) statutes into a single new article and to clarify how veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) may earn CE credit.

What passed

The MDC voted to repeal two existing BPC sections (48.38 and 48.46.5) and to add a new Article 3.1 (BPC sections in the 48.58 range) that combines and updates CE rules for both veterinarians and RVTs. The committee’s packet and discussion emphasized cleanup and harmonization of overlapping statutes and regulations.

Key substantive changes highlighted by the MDC

- Limited CE for pro bono spay/neuter: The proposal would allow RVTs to earn limited CE credit (up to two hours) for performing pro bono animal-health tasks related to spay and neuter services carried out at qualified programs.

- Exam-prep participation credit: The draft would allow CE credit for licensees who participate as experts in national-exam preparation workshops; the proposed credit hours were revised during the meeting to ensure proportionality between veterinarians and RVTs.

- CE for meeting attendance and law review: The MDC added draft language to permit a small amount of CE credit for attending Veterinary Medical Board meetings and for completion of the board’s jurisprudence/law review; the board discussed sign-in verification requirements for meeting attendance.

Board action and next steps

The MDC recommended submitting the legislative proposal as part of the board’s sunset review/legislative package. The full board subsequently authorized staff to take the proposal forward to the legislature and to pursue rulemaking to rescind redundant CE regulations if the statute takes effect.

Why it matters

The changes aim to make CE rules clearer and more consistent across the two license types (veterinarians and RVTs), incorporate certain service-based CE options to encourage public-service activities, and align credit offerings with modern continuing-education pathways.

What the MDC discussed and did not change

Committee members debated hours and proportionality (for example, how many hours credit to grant for exam-prep participation and business-practice courses). The MDC agreed to return detailed regulatory language to staff for a subsequent rulemaking package if the statute is enacted. Several members asked staff to draft verification language for meeting attendance (sign-in/verification by the board).

Provenance (meeting transcript excerpts): - "The subcommittee recommends repealing the 2 current CE related statutes... and adding 4 new statutes... as a legislative proposal to be presented in the sunset review package." (MDC summary) - "I am going to make a motion to submit to the California state legislature the legislative proposal to repeal BPC sections 48 38 and 48 46.5 and add article 3.1..." (motion recorded)

Speakers and public input

Committee members who led the discussion included Dr. Richard Sullivan (MDC chair) and board counsel/staff. The California Veterinary Medical Association and the California RVT Association participated in stakeholder meetings and provided feedback; some public commenters urged different hour allocations or broader recognition of meeting attendance as CE.

What the board will do next

Staff will submit the legislative proposal, seek legislative approval as part of the sunset-review cycle, and prepare a rulemaking package to remove redundant CE regulations if the bill is enacted.

Note on verification: MDC members requested a clear, board-verifiable process (for example, sign-in records or board verification) to document meeting attendance claimed for CE credit.