4 CCR 727-1.8 - VETERINARY TECHNICIAN REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

This Rule is promulgated pursuant to sections 12-20-202, 12-20-203, 12-20-204, 12-20-404, 12-315-201, 12-315-202, 12-315-203(4), and 12-315-207, C.R.S.

A. Registration by Examination

1. All documents required as part of a registration application, except for registration renewal, must be received by the Board within one year of the date of receipt of application. An application is incomplete until the Board receives all additional information requested or required in order to determine whether to grant or deny the application. If all required information is not submitted within the one year period, then the original application materials will be destroyed and the applicant will be required to submit a new application, fee, and all required documentation.

2. Each applicant shall submit a completed Board approved application along with the required fee in order to be considered for registration approval and must also verify that the applicant:

a. Holds a current credential from the Board-approved credentialing organization.

3. Each applicant will also be required to verify that the applicant:

a. Accurately and completely list any acts that would be grounds for disciplinary action under the Veterinary Practice Act and provide a written explanation of the circumstances of such act, including supporting documentation if required.

b. Accurately and completely provide any and all information pertaining to any final or pending disciplinary action by any state or jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been previously credentialed.

B. Provisional Registration

1. Between January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024, Colorado applicants who do not meet the examination registration requirements may apply for a provisional registration.

2. Each applicant shall submit a completed Board approved application along with the required fee in order to be considered for provisional registration approval and must also verify that the applicant completed the following:

a. Proof of current employment in the role or performing the duties of a veterinary technician;

b. Intent or desire to practice as a veterinary technician in Colorado.

3. Provisional registration is repealed as of October 1, 2028, as specified in section 12-315-203(4)(f), C.R.S.

C. Registration by Completion of Provisional Requirements

1. If an applicant meets the requirements pursuant to section 12-315-203(4)(c), C.R.S., on or before December 31, 2027, the applicant may apply for credentialing directly with the Board-approved credentialing organization. Once credentialed, the applicant may submit a completed Board-approved application, the required fee for registration approval, and verification that the applicant holds a current credential from the Board-approved credentialing organization.

2. Between January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2028, individuals holding a provisional registration may pursue registration as a veterinary technician as described below:

a. Each applicant with a provisional registration shall submit a completed Board-approved application along with the required fee in order to be considered for registration approval and shall verify that the applicant holds a current credential from the Board-approved credentialing organization.

3. An applicant may submit a request to the Board for a hardship extension to extend the provisional registration expiration date to a date no later than June 30, 2028.

4. Registration by Completion of Provisional Requirements is repealed as of October 1, 2028, as specified in section 12-315-203(4)(f), C.R.S.

D. Registration by Endorsement

1. In order to be eligible for registration by endorsement, an applicant must certify that the applicant does not currently possess a revoked, suspended, restricted, or conditional credential to practice as a veterinary technician, or is not currently pending disciplinary action against such credential, in another state or territory of the United States or through the federal government.

2. Each eligible applicant shall submit a completed Board approved application along with the required fee in order to be considered for registration approval and verify through the state in which, or federal agency through which, the applicant is seeking endorsement that the applicant satisfies the requirements of the occupational credential portability program.

E. Inactive Status and Reactivation of a Registration

1. A veterinary technician may apply to the Board to inactivate their registration.

a. If a veterinary technician registration is inactive, the veterinary technician shall not perform acts restricted to active registered veterinary technicians in Colorado pursuant to section 12-20-203(3), C.R.S., or use the title "veterinary technician", or "registered veterinary technician" or the initials "RVT" or "VT" as restricted in section 12-315-204, C.R.S. The Board shall retain jurisdiction over inactive veterinary technicians for the purposes of disciplinary action pursuant to section 12-315-207, C.R.S.

b. Practicing as a veterinary technician with an inactive registration shall constitute unregistered practice and, therefore, may be grounds for disciplinary or injunctive action, up to and including revocation.

c. Registered veterinary technicians with inactive registrations are required to renew their registration every two years and submit the applicable fee.

d. To be considered for registration reactivation, an applicant must submit a completed reactivation application form and the reactivation fee. Each applicant for reactivation shall certify the following:

(1) Every credential or registration to practice as a veterinary technician held by applicant is in good standing;

(2) Applicant has reported to the Board any injunction or disciplinary action completed or pending against the applicant's credential or registration to practice as a veterinary technician in any state;

(3) Applicant has reported to the Board any malpractice judgment, any settlement of a malpractice action or claim, and any malpractice action or claim pending against the applicant in which the malpractice allegedly relates to the applicant's practice as a veterinary technician;

(4) Applicant has reported to the Board any inquiry/complaint pending, investigation being conducted by, or disciplinary proceeding pending before the licensing, grievance, or disciplinary board of any jurisdiction in which the applicant is registered or credentialed to practice as a veterinary technician in which the complaint, investigation, or proceeding concerns the applicant's practice.

e. The Board may decline to reactivate a registration if disciplinary action is pending or if there is an unresolved complaint.

f. If the registration or credential has been inactive for less than two years, then the applicant is required to submit proof of fulfilling the requirements for the two-year period in which the individual's registration was last active as well as the two-year period in which the registration or credential was expired or inactive.

g. If the registration or credential has been inactive for two or more years, then the requirements in Rule 1.8(A)(2) apply.

F. Reinstatement Requirements for Expired Registration

1. In order to reinstate or reactivate a registration back into active status, each applicant shall submit a completed Board approved application along with the required fee in order to be considered for registration approval and must also verify that the applicant:

a. Accurately and completely lists any acts that would be grounds for disciplinary action under the Veterinary Practice Act and provides a written explanation of the circumstances of such act, including supporting documentation, if required, since last renewing their registration to an active status in this state.

b. Accurately and completely provides any and all information pertaining to any final or pending disciplinary action by any state or jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been previously credentialed since last renewing the individual's registration to an active registration in this state.

c. Holds a current credential from the Board-approved credentialing entity.

G. Revocation

1. Any person whose registration to practice is revoked will be ineligible to apply for any registration under the Veterinary Practice Act for at least two years after the date of revocation or surrender of the registration. Any subsequent application for registration shall be treated as an application for an original registration.

H. Renewal

1. A registered veterinary technician is required to renew their registration every two years, submit the applicable fee, and provide proof of current credential from the Board-approved credentialing organization.

2. A veterinary technician's renewal fee will be waived while on active duty with any branch of the Armed Services of the United States pursuant to section 12-315-206(2), C.R.S.

Notes

4 CCR 727-1.8

Colorado Register, Vol 37, No. 14. July 25, 2014, effective 8/14/2014 42 CR 21, November 10, 2019, effective 11/30/2019 43 CR 18, September 25, 2020, effective 10/15/2020 43 CR 22, November 25, 2020, effective 12/15/2020 44 CR 06, March 25, 2021, effective 4/14/2021 44 CR 21, November 10, 2021, effective 11/30/2021 45 CR 22, November 25, 2022, effective 12/15/2022 46 CR 06, March 25, 2023, effective 4/14/2023