W. Va. Code R. § 26-1-7 - Veterinary License Renewal

7.1. The Board shall notify each licensed veterinarian that his or her license will expire on December 31 but failure to receive the notification does not exempt a licensee from meeting the requirements of this rule. The Board shall issue a certificate of renewal to all licensees renewing their license under the provisions of this rule.

7.2. A veterinarian may renew his or her license starting October 1 through December 31 of each year, renew his or her license by completing the required license renewal, paying the annual renewal fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees and certify to the Board that he or she has completed all continuing education requirements.

7.3. A license that is not renewed will automatically be placed on expired status unless a specific request was made to place the license on inactive status.

7.3.1. To renew a license up to one year after the expiration date, the applicant must complete the required license renewal, pay the late renewal fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees, and submit evidence of completion of continuing education hours.

7.3.2. To reactivate an expired license exceeding 1 year, the applicant must meet the requirements of § 26-1-4, pay the late renewal fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees, and submit evidence of completion of the required continuing education hours for each year the license has been expired, for a maximum of two years. The board may require additional documentation of clinical competency and professional activities.

7.4. A licensee may request that their license be placed on inactive status by completing the required license renewal, selecting the inactive option, and paying the inactive status fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees.

7.4.1. To reactivate an inactive license, the applicant must complete the required license renewal, pay the renewal fee, and certify to the Board that he or she has completed continuing education hours for each year the license has been expired, for a maximum of two years.

7.5. A licensee shall undertake at least 18 (50 minute) units of continuing education in the field of veterinary medicine during each calendar year. A minimum of 14 hours shall be related to the practice of veterinary medicine to include scientific, laboratory, regulatory, and medical record keeping. No more than 4 hours shall be related to practice management. Classroom or online courses are permitted. No periods may be accumulated, carried forward, or held over past the calendar year in which the periods were completed.

7.5.1. Continuing Education approved providers/programs:

7.5.1.a. AVMA accredited colleges of veterinary medicine;

7.5.1.b. Board approved national veterinary associations;

7.5.1.c. AVMA approved official state veterinary associations;

7.5.1.d. State or federal government agencies;

7.5.1.e. Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE);

7.5.1.f. Reviewed and approved by the West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine once fee is received pursuant to the Schedule of Fees.

7.5.2. A Licensee is required to attest to compliance with continuing education requirements on his or her annual license renewal and is required to maintain original documents verifying the date and subject of the program or course, the number of continuing education hours or credits, and certification from an approved sponsor. Original documents must be maintained for a period of two years following renewal. The board shall conduct a random yearly audit to determine compliance. A Licensee selected for the audit shall provide all supporting documentation within 20 days of receiving notification of the audit.

7.5.2.a. If licensee is non-compliant to the continuing education audit, the board will initiate a complaint against the licensee and the licensee will be audited again the following year.

7.5.3. Continuing education hours required by disciplinary orders shall not be used to satisfy renewal requirements.

7.6. New graduates of the current year are exempt from the continuing education requirements until the beginning of the immediately succeeding reporting period after licensure.

7.7. The Board may grant continuing education hardship extensions by request of the licensee. The Board shall only consider hardship extensions from licensees who the Board determines were prevented from completing the required continuing education hours within the year due to verified medical emergencies or military obligations beyond the licensee's control. Requests for a hardship extension must be received in the Board's office by December 15.

7.8. If an extension is granted by the Board for completion of approved continuing education hours, the licensee shall file the renewal application with the renewal fee. The Board shall renew the license contingent upon the licensee completing the mandatory continuing education within a period determined by the Board from the current year's expiration date of December 31.

7.9. When a hardship license is issued, the renewal license shall be valid for the period required to complete the mandatory continuing education, and shall be extended to December 31 upon receipt of acceptable documentation of completing the continuing education. The continuing education hours completed during the extension period may not be applied toward satisfaction of continuing education in the year completed and shall be separate from continuing education requirements for current year renewal requirements.

7.10. A licensee issued a hardship extension for completion of continuing education shall submit documentation of completion prior to the end of the Board approved extension period. Continued practice past the authorized extension period without a written renewal certificate from the Board constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine without a license.

7.11. By December 31 of each year, the licensee shall certify on the renewal application that he or she has successfully completed the continuing education requirement for that calendar year. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain evidence of meeting the continuing education requirements for license renewal for random audit by the Board.

7.12. Upon receipt of the completed renewal application and fee, the Board shall issue a renewal license.

7.13. Licenses issued by the Board shall be posted in a place conspicuous to the public at the establishment where veterinary services are being provided.

7.13.1. Licensees who do relief or temporary work in an establishment shall carry a license with them or post it at the establishment.

7.13.2. Ambulatory veterinary practices that do not have an office accessible to the public shall carry their licenses in their vehicles.

7.14. A licensee shall notify the Board in writing or online of any change of address, conviction of a misdemeanor or felony, and/or disciplinary action by another federal or state agency no later than the 30 days from the action.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 26-1-7