R156-28-304. Continuing Professional Education

  In accordance with Section 58-28-306, there is created a continuing professional education requirement as a condition for renewal or reinstatement of licenses issued under Title 58, Chapter 28. Continuing professional education shall comply with the following criteria:

  (1) During each two year period commencing on September 30 of each even-numbered year, a licensee shall be required to complete at least 24 hours of qualified continuing professional education directly related to the licensee's professional practice.

  (2) If a licensee first becomes licensed during the two-year period, the licensee's required number of continuing professional education hours shall be decreased proportionately according to the date of licensure.

  (3) Qualified continuing professional education under this section shall:

  (a) have an identifiable clear statement of purpose and defined objective for the educational program directly related to the practice of a veterinarian;

  (b) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;

  (c) be presented in a competent, well organized, and sequential manner consistent with the stated purpose and objective of the program;

  (d) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training, and experience; and

  (e) have a competent method of registration of individuals who actually completed the professional education program, with records of that registration and completion available for review.

  (4) Credit for continuing professional education shall be recognized in accordance with the following:

  (a) Unlimited hours shall be recognized for continuing professional education as a student or presenter, completed in blocks of time of not less than one hour in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, wet labs, or specific veterinary conferences approved or sponsored by one or more of the following:

  (i) the American Veterinary Medical Association;

  (ii) the Utah Veterinary Medical Association;

  (iii) the American Animal Hospital Association;

  (iv) the American Association of Equine Practitioners;

  (v) the American Association of Bovine Practitioners;

  (vi) certifying boards recognized by the AVMA;

  (vii) other state veterinary medical associations or state licensing boards; or

  (viii) the Registry of Continuing Education (RACE) of the AASVB.

  (b) No more than five continuing professional education hours may be counted for being the primary author of an article published in a peer reviewed scientific journal, and no more than two continuing professional education hours may be counted for being a secondary author.

  (c) No more than six continuing professional education hours may be in practice management courses.

  (d) Any continuing professional education where there is no instructor or where the instructor is not physically present, shall assure the licensee's participation and acquisition of the knowledge and skills intended by means of an examination. These types of continuing professional education courses include internet, audio/visual recordings, broadcast seminars, mail and other correspondence courses.

  (5) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining competent records of completed qualified continuing professional education for a period of four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain such information with respect to qualified continuing professional education to demonstrate it meets the requirements under this section.

  (6) A licensee who is unable to complete the continuing professional education requirement for reasons such as a medical or related condition, humanitarian or ecclesiastical services, or extended presence in a geographical area where continuing education is not available, may be excused from the requirement for a period of up to three years as provided in Section R156-1-308d.