Silicon Valley Registered Veterinary Technicians Association
1304 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA
RVT News
PRACTICE RVT EXAM: The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) offers a 75 question practice RVT exam with questions similar to the national and California RVT licensing examinations. Theis is an excellent tool for candidates preparing to take either exam. The cost is $45.00. For more info or to sign up to to www.AAVSB and select the Veterinry Technician section.
VMB RVTC: The next meeting will be held on TBA at the State Capitol. for more information or questions about the RVTC or VMB, call 916-263-2610 or toll free 1866-229-017, email vmb@dca.ca.gov, fax 916-263-2621 or see www.vmb.ca.gov
SHARPS DISPOSAL: A new law took effect on Sept. 1, 2008 that makes it illegal to dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash or recycling bin. Sharps waste must be transprted to an offician collection center in an approved sharps container. Veterinry hospitals can sell sharps containers, but are not considered appropriate collection sites unless they meet specific criteria. For more details, see www.CVMA.net or contact the local waste management enforcement agency.
November 2008
CHECK TAB FOR THE LIMITED ELIGIBILITY WINDOW OPPORTUNITY. WWW.CARVTA.ORG
LIMITED TERM ELIGIBILITY WINDOW REVISED:
Due to ta technicality, the Veterinary Mdical Board (VMB) was required to hold an additional public hearing on the new eligibility catagory. On October 22. Once again, the VMB approved the category tht will allow assistants with at least 5 years on-the-job training adn 24 hours of specific education to apply for the RVT exam. The "Limited Window" will be open only for one year beginning on 1-1-09. For more details plese contact VMB at 1-866-229-0170 or email Linda_Kassis@dca.ca.gov.
Practice RVT Exam: The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) offers a 75 question practice RVT exam with questions similar to the national and California RVT Licensing examinations. This is an excellent tool for candidates preparing to take either exam.l The cost is $45. For more info, or to sign up go to www.AAVSB and select the Veterinry Technician section.
On April 16, 2008 the Veterinary Medical Board Passed the Limited Window of Eligibility. Details will be released soon but, in the mean time start studying!
This eligibility category will allow unregistered assistants with at least 5 years of practical experience to sit for the RVT exam for a one-year period starting on January 1, 2009. In addition to the 5 years experience, the candidate will have to document through a Task List signed by their supervising veterinarian(s) that they have acuired specific skills during their employment. Like all regulations approved by the Veterinary Medical Board, the Limited Window will also have to be approved by the Office of Administrative Law and the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs. This process can take as long as 6 months, so it may not be clear until at least October if the regulation will take effect. However, most regulations approved by the VMB do successfully make it through the process. Becasue the Window will open on January 1, 2009 and remain open only for a one year, potential candidates should assume that the regulation will survive the approval process and start preparing to take the exam.
CaRVTA is also preparing a new handbook to help candidates organize thier study and prepare thier applications under the Alternate Route. It will be of benefit for candidates using the Limited Window as well. The handbook will be available in the summer of 2008. Watch www.carvta.org for details.
To find out more about all the current eligibility categories to sit for the RVT exam or a list of approved schools in California, see www.vmb.ca.gov , or call the Veterinary Medical Board at 1866-229-0170
At it's April 15 meeting the RVTC discussed finalizing a proposal for mandatory CE for RVT's. The proposal includes requiring 20 hours of CE every 2 years. Specific language will be on thier agenda at the next meeting. The proposal should be on the VMB agenda for approval at its October meeting with te potential for a public hearing in January.
The RVTC also set up 2 sub-commitee meetings to work on new language for RVT school approval and a potential bill to create an exemption for RVT students to be able to perform restricted RVT tasks as part of their education.
The next meeting of the RVT will be on July 22 at the new VMB office in Sacramento.
The new address is: VMB, 2005 Evergreen Street, suite 2250, Sacramento, CA 95815-3821
Also this week Sacramento :
Senate Business & Professions Committee killed SB 1205 on Monday. This is the bill sponsored by CVMA that would have limited the Veterinary Medical Board's ability to discipline licensees and messed with the composition, members terms and number of meetings of the VMB RVT Committee. CaRVTA played a major role in opposing the bill along with the VMB.
Senate Business & Professions Committee killed SB 1205 on Monday. This is the bill sponsored by CVMA that would have limited the Veterinary Medical Board's ability to discipline licensees and messed with the composition, members terms and number of meetings of the VMB RVT Committee. CaRVTA played a major role in opposing the bill along with the VMB.
News from the Veterinary Medical Board: Click here for a link to SB 1205 Anastad you can also subscribe to updates.
VMB: The VMB will be holding a Public Hearing on January 16 at the State Capitol on its proposal that would allow unregistered assistants with at least 5 years experience to sit for the RVT exam during a one-time,12-18 month window, provided that their supervising veterinarian(s) certify to their acquisition of the specific entry-level skills necessary to perform as Registered Veterinary Technicians.
Veterinarians have testified at prior hearings that there is shortage of RVTs, and that they employ assistants who possess the skills and knowledge of RVTs, but who have been unable to meet one of the current eligibility requirements. The VMB is also concerned that due to a law sponsored by CVMA, assistants will be able to administer all drugs, including controlled drugs (starting 1/1/08), under Indirect Supervision until 2012. While RVTs undergo fingerprinting and background checks prior to licensure, assistants have no such requirements.
Written testimony will be accepted starting November 26 until the public hearing on January 16. However, in order for the written testimony to be included in the VMB’s packet, it must be received by the VMB no later than December 28. Testimony can be mailed to the VMB at 1420 Howe Ave., Ste. 6, Sacramento CA 95825, emailed to vmb@dca.ca.gov or faxed to (916) 263-2615 . Anyone interested may also testify in person.
The VMB also approved the proposal for the elimination of several eligibility categories to sit for the RVT exam – 4 year degree in an animal related science and graduation from an unapproved RVT school. Candidates who might have used these categories will be directed to the Alternate Route. This proposal will also go for public hearing on January 16. Written and verbal testimony will be accepted as above for the “limited window” proposal.
The legal counsel is reviewing language for a proposed regulation requiring 20 hours of CE every 2 years for renewal of the RVT license. If ready, it will be on the agenda for the January meeting.
Questions regarding the VMB? Call (916) 263-2610 , or see the web site www.VMB.ca.gov.
Veterinarians have testified at prior hearings that there is shortage of RVTs, and that they employ assistants who possess the skills and knowledge of RVTs, but who have been unable to meet one of the current eligibility requirements. The VMB is also concerned that due to a law sponsored by CVMA, assistants will be able to administer all drugs, including controlled drugs (starting 1/1/08), under Indirect Supervision until 2012. While RVTs undergo fingerprinting and background checks prior to licensure, assistants have no such requirements.
Written testimony will be accepted starting November 26 until the public hearing on January 16. However, in order for the written testimony to be included in the VMB’s packet, it must be received by the VMB no later than December 28. Testimony can be mailed to the VMB at 1420 Howe Ave., Ste. 6, Sacramento CA 95825, emailed to vmb@dca.ca.gov or faxed to (916) 263-2615 . Anyone interested may also testify in person.
The VMB also approved the proposal for the elimination of several eligibility categories to sit for the RVT exam – 4 year degree in an animal related science and graduation from an unapproved RVT school. Candidates who might have used these categories will be directed to the Alternate Route. This proposal will also go for public hearing on January 16. Written and verbal testimony will be accepted as above for the “limited window” proposal.
The legal counsel is reviewing language for a proposed regulation requiring 20 hours of CE every 2 years for renewal of the RVT license. If ready, it will be on the agenda for the January meeting.
Questions regarding the VMB? Call (916) 263-2610 , or see the web site www.VMB.ca.gov.
ACCESS TO CONTROLLED DRUGS: SB 969, the legislation sponsored by CVMA that goes into effect on January 1, 2008, allows unregistered assistants (as well as RVTs) to administer controlled drugs under Indirect Supervision. Many practices are unaware that it is unlawful for a licensee with a DEA registration to employ anyone who has access to controlled substances if that person has any felony offenses relating to controlled substances. RVTs are fingerprinted and background checked prior to licensure. However, since unregistered assistants are not licensed, it is the responsibility of the employer to insure that they are free of drug offenses. The only sure way for an employer to verify a clean record is to run a background check on all unregistered assistants who have access to controlled substances. Questions about this issue can be directed to the local DEA office or the VMB, 916 263-2610 .
Questions about the RVTC? Call (916) 263-2610 , or see the web site VMB.
RVT FEE INCREASE: The exam and license fees for the RVTs will be going up as of October 1,2007. the new fee schedule is
Exam Application : $100.
Exam Fee: $150.
Initial License: $100.
Renewal License (2yr) $100.
1304 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA
