IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.

Amber Alert
Amber Alert - TEST

PLA > Professions > Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners > Continuing Education Requirements Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing Education Requirements

Veterinarians are required to have completed forty (40) hours of continuing education acquired after October 15, 2011. Veterinary Licenses expire on October 15 of odd numbered years. The next renewal date is OCTOBER 15, 2013.

Continuing education is not required for the year in which the initial veterinary license was issued. Therefore, a person who was issued an original veterinary license between the date of October 15, 2011 and October 15, 2012 are only required to submit twenty (20) hours of continuing education. A person who is issued an original veterinary license after October 15, 2012 are not required to submit continuing education for the next renewal.

Registered Veterinary Technicians are required to have completed sixteen (16) hours of continuing education acquired after January 1, 2012. Veterinary Technician Registrations expire on January 1 of even numbered years. The next renewal date is JANUARY 1, 2014.

Continuing education is not required for the year in which the initial veterinary technician registration was issued. Therefore a person who was issued an original registration between the date of January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2013 are only required to submit eight (8) hours of continuing education. A person who is issued an original registration after January 1, 2013 are not required to submit continuing education for the next renewal.

Approval Of Continuing Education Programs

Under the statutory provision as listed below, if a program is designed to directly enhance the practitioner's knowledge and skill in providing services relevant to the practitioner's profession or occupation and falls under an "Approved Organization" it is no longer necessary to submit an application for continuing education approval by the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

Under IC 25-1-4-0.2:
Sec. 0.2. As used in this chapter, "approved organization" refers to the following:

  1. United States Department of Education.
  2. Council on Post-Secondary Education.
  3. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
  4. Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations.
  5. Federal, state, and local government agencies.
  6. A college or other teaching institution accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Education.
  7. A national organization of practitioners whose members practicing in Indiana are subject to regulation by a board or agency regulating a profession or occupation under this title or IC 15.
  8. A national, state, district, or local organization that operates as an affiliated entity under the approval of any organization listed in subdivisions (1) and (7).
  9. An internship or a residency program conducted in a hospital that has been approved by an organization listed in subdivisions (1) through (7).
  10. Any other organization or individual approved by the Board.

Also, under IC 25-1-4-0.5:
Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, "continuing education means an orderly process of instruction that is approved by an approved organization or the board that is designed to directly enhance the practitioner's knowledge and skill in providing services relevant to the practitioner's profession or occupation.

Automatic Approval

Continuing education programs for veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians sponsored by the following organizations shall be deemed approved and no approval by the Board shall be required:

  • American Veterinary Medical Association or any of its constituent organizations
  • Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, local veterinary associations, or any other state or provincial veterinary medical association
  • American Animal Hospital Association or any another veterinary specialty organization
  • Indiana Veterinary Technicians Association
  • Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine or any other accredited veterinary school in the United States
  • American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences

Note: This is just a limited list of organizations that have automatic approval. Organizations that do not fall under IC 25-1-4 or have not been approved by the Veterinary Board will not be accepted as continuing education credit hours for license/registration renewal.

Continuing Education Derived From Self-study

Continuing education derived from self-study will be accepted as renewal credit under the following conditions:

  • The content must pertain to the practice of veterinary medicine.
  • Self-study methods of presentation must include a written examination or post evaluation.
  • Credit is limited to twenty (20) hours per biennial renewal period for veterinarians.
  • Credit is limited to eight (8) hours per biennial renewal period for veterinary technicians.

Continuing Education Certificates

The veterinarian/veterinary technician is not required to submit copies of their continuing education certificates at the time of renewal. By renewing online or signing the renewal application you swear or affirm under the penalties of perjury that you have completed the continuing education requirement. The veterinarian/veterinary technician shall retain copies of continuing education certificates for three (3) years from the end of the licensing/registration period. After the renewal, a percentage of practitioners will be chosen in a random audit to submit copies of their continuing education certificates. If the practitioner does not comply with the audit the Board will proceed with action against the licensee/registrant.

Continuing education certificates must contain the following information:

  • The name of the participant
  • The name of the sponsoring organization
  • The title of the program
  • The date of the program
  • The location of the program
  • The number of continuing education hours awarded.

Veterinarian/veterinary Technician Responsibilities

  • If a program does not fall under IC 25-1-4-0.2 as an Approved Organization, the Sponsoring Organization is required to submit an application for continuing education approval.
  • It is the responsibility of the veterinarian or registered veterinary technician to verify the courses attended have been approved by the Board. Without approval credit will not be given.
  • Continuing education clock hours must be obtained within the biennial renewal period and may not be carried over from one (1) renewal period to another.
  • A licensed veterinarian and a registered veterinary technician must retain a record of continuing education for three (3) years following the end of the biennium.
  • The Board will not renew a license of a veterinarian or a registration of a veterinary technician who fails to comply with the requirement of continuing education.
  • Continuing education clock hours used to satisfy continuing education requirements of another state may be applied toward the fulfillment of the continuing education clock hours required in Indiana.
  • As a condition to approval of programs, the sponsoring organization must agree to provide participants with a record of attendance and to retain records of attendance by participants for four (4) years from the date of the program.

Standards For Approval

The Board will approve a course if it determines that the course will make a significant contribution to the professional competency of veterinarians and veterinary technicians who enroll. In determining if a course meets this standard, the board will consider whether the following requirements are met:

  • The course has substantial content.
  • The course content directly relates to the professional practice of veterinary medicine.
  • Each faculty member or lecturer who has teaching responsibility in the course is qualified by academic work or practical experience to teach the assigned subject.
  • High quality written materials, including notes and outlines, are available to all veterinarians and veterinary technicians who enroll at or prior to the time the course is offered.
  • The course is of sufficient length to provide a substantial educational experience. A course of less than one (1) hour will be carefully reviewed to determine if a substantial educational experience is provided.
  • Appropriate educational methodology is used, including, but not limited to, the following:
    1. Prepared library packages.
    2. Courses of programmed instruction.
    3. Active participation and demonstration.
    4. Audio-visual materials.
  • An adequate number of instructors is provided for the course. If audio-visual tapes are used as teaching materials, live presentations or discussion leaders must accompany the replaying of the tapes.

Copies Of Statute And Rules

Copies of the statute and rules that relate to renewal and continuing education are available to download at http://www.in.gov/pla/2651.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the approval of continuing education programs you may contact the Veterinary Board at (317) 234-2054 or email us at pla8@pla.IN.gov. You may also submit your questions to:

Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Attn: Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204