DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN — GENERAL RULES

Filed with the secretary of state on December 16, 2021

These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted

under section 33, 44, or 45a(9) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA

306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become

effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.

(By authority conferred on the department of licensing and regulatory affairs by sections

16145 and 18813 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16145 and

333.18813, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-

4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)

R 338.4971, R 338.4972, R 338.4976, R 338.4982, R 338.4991, and R 338.4993, of the

Michigan Administrative Code are amended, R 338.4971a and R 338.4971b are added,

and R 338.4978 is rescinded, as follows:

PART 1. GENERAL RULES

R 338.4971 Definitions.

Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:

(a) “Animal patient” means an animal as defined in section 18802(2) of the code, MCL

333.18802.

(b) "Board" means the Michigan board of veterinary medicine created in section 18821

of the code, MCL 333.18821.

(c) "Code" means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211.

(d) "Department" means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.

(2) A term defined in the code has the same meaning when used in these rules.

PART 2. EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION

R 338.4971a Approval of veterinary technician training programs; standards

adopted by reference.

Rule 1a. (1) The board approves and adopts by reference the standards for accrediting

programs for training veterinary technicians adopted by the American Veterinary Medical

Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities

(CVTEA) entitled "Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA Committee on

Veterinary Technician Education and Activities," July 2020.

(2) The standards for accrediting programs for training veterinary technicians adopted

by the CVTEA are available at no cost from the AVMA website at http://www.avma.org.

A copy of the standards is available for inspection or distribution at a cost of 10 cents per

August 30, 2021

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page from the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Bureau of Professional Licensing,

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 611 West Ottawa, P.O. Box 30670,

Lansing, Michigan 48909.

R 338.4971b Examination; approval and adoption; passing score.

Rule 1b. (1) The board approves and adopts the Veterinary Technician National

Examination (VTNE) developed by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards

(AAVSB) or its predecessor organization.

(2) The passing score for the VTNE is the score determined by the AAVSB or its

predecessor organization.

PART 3. LICENSURE

R 338.4972 Licensure by examination; requirements.

Rule 2. An applicant for a Michigan veterinary technician license by examination shall

submit a completed application on a form provided by the department, together with the

required fee. In addition to meeting the requirements of the code an applicant shall satisfy

both of the following requirements:

(a) Have successfully completed a program for training veterinary technicians

approved and adopted in R 338.4971a. The educational institution must provide the

department with the applicant’s final, official transcript.

(b) Have achieved a passing score on the examination approved and adopted in R

338.4971b.

R 338.4976 Licensure by endorsement; requirements.

Rule 6. An applicant for a Michigan veterinary technician license by endorsement shall

hold an active license in good standing in another state and submit a completed

application on a form provided by the department, together with the required fee. In

addition to satisfying the requirements of the code and the administrative rules

promulgated under the code, an applicant shall comply with all of the following

requirements:

(a) Establish that he or she is of good moral character as defined under 1974 PA 381,

MCL 338.41 to MCL 338.47.

(b) Submit fingerprints as required under section 16174(3) of the code, MCL

333.16174.

(c) Achieve a passing score on the examination approved under R 338.4971b.

(d) Comply with both of the following:

(i) Disclose each license, registration, or certification in a health profession or

specialty issued by any other state, the United States military, the federal government, or

another country on the application form.

(ii) Satisfy the requirements of section 16174(2) of the code, MCL 333.16174, which

includes verification from the issuing entity showing that disciplinary proceedings are not

pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force at the time of application.

R 338.4978 Rescinded.

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R 338.4982 Relicensure.

Rule 12. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed may be relicensed upon submission

of the appropriate documentation as noted in the table below by (√):

(a) For an applicant who has let his or her

Michigan license lapse and is not currently

licensed in another state or registered in

Canada.

Lapsed

0-3 years

Lapsed more

than 3 years

(i)

Submit a completed application on a

form provided by the department,

together with the required fee.

Establish that he or she is of good

moral character as defined under

sections 1 to 7 of 1974 PA 381,

MCL 338.41 to 338.47.

√

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Submit fingerprints as required

under section 16174(3) of the code,

MCL 333.16174.

Submit proof of having completed

15 hours of continuing education that

satisfy the requirements of R

338.4993.

Achieve a passing score on the

examination approved under R

338.4971b within 3 years before the

application for relicensure.

An applicant who is or has ever been

licensed, registered, or certified in a

health profession or specialty by any

other state, the United States

military, the federal government, or

another country, shall do both of the

following:

√

(v)

√

(vi)

(A) Disclose each license,

registration, or certification on the

application form.

(B) Satisfy the requirements of

section 16174(2) of the code, MCL

333.16174, which includes

verification from the issuing entity

showing that disciplinary

proceedings are not pending against

the applicant and sanctions are not in

force at the time of application.

(b) For an applicant who has let his or her

Lapsed

Lapsed more than

4

Michigan license lapse and is currently

licensed in another state or registered in

Canada.

0-3 years

3 years

(i)

Submit a completed application on a

√

form provided by the department,

together with the required fee.

Establish that he or she is of good

moral character as defined under

sections 1 to 7 of 1974 PA 381, MCL

338.41 to 338.47.

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Submit fingerprints as required under

section 16174(3) of the code, MCL

333.16174.

Submit proof of having completed 15 √

hours of continuing education that

satisfy the requirements of R

338.4993.

√

(v)

An applicant who is or has ever been

licensed, registered, or certified in a

health profession or specialty by any

other state, the United States

military, the federal government, or

another country, shall do both of the

following:

√

(A) Disclose each license,

registration, or certification on the

application form.

(B) Satisfy the requirements of

section 16174(2) of the code, MCL

333.16174, which includes

verification from the issuing entity

showing that disciplinary

proceedings are not pending against

the applicant and sanctions are not in

force at the time of application.

(2) If relicensure is granted and it is determined that a sanction has been imposed by

another state, the United States military, the federal government, or another country, the

disciplinary subcommittee may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of

the code, MCL 333.16174.

PART 4. LICENSE RENEWAL; CONTINUING EDUCATION

R 338.4991 License renewals; continuing education.

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Rule 91. (1) Beginning with licenses that expire on December 31, 2022, and for all

renewals thereafter, an applicant for license renewal shall have completed at least 15

hours of continuing education that satisfies the requirements of R 338.4993 in the 3 years

immediately preceding the application for renewal.

(2) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification of

compliance with the requirements of this rule. The department may require a licensee to

submit evidence to demonstrate compliance with this rule.

(3) A request for a waiver under section 16205 of the code, MCL 333.16205, must be

received by the department before the expiration date of the license.

(4) The licensee shall retain documentation of satisfying the requirements of this rule

for a period of 4 years from the date of applying for license renewal. Failure to comply

with this rule is a violation of section 16221(h) of the code, MCL 333.16221.

R 338.4993 Acceptable continuing education; requirements; limitations.

Rule 93. (1) The 15 hours of continuing education required under R 338.4991(1) for the

renewal of a veterinary technician license must satisfy all of the following:

(a) Not more than 12 hours may be earned during one 24-hour period.

(b) A licensee may not earn credit for a continuing education program or activity that

is identical or substantially identical to a program or activity for which the licensee has

already earned credit during the same renewal period.

(c) A minimum of 10 hours of continuing education must be scientific in nature. A

continuing education program or activity is scientific in nature if it includes the science of

diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease as it relates directly to an animal patient

or topics of public veterinary practice, epidemiology, food safety, public animal health,

animal welfare, or antimicrobial stewardship.

(d) A minimum of 5 hours of continuing education must be completed in-person or

through live, synchronous contact.

(e) A maximum of 5 hours of continuing education may be earned collectively for

activities in subrule (2)(c) to (g) of this rule.

(2) The board considers any of the following as acceptable continuing education:

Activity

Code

Activity and

Proof of Completion

Number of continuing

education hours

granted/permitted for activity

The number of continuing

education hours for a specific

(a)

Attendance at or participation in a

continuing education program or activity

related to practice as a veterinary technician program or activity is the

or any nonclinical subject relevant to

practice as a veterinary technician in a

veterinary practice, education,

administration, management, or science

which includes, but is not limited to, live,

in-person programs; interactive or

monitored teleconferences, audio-

conferences, or web-based programs;

online programs; and journal articles or

other self-study programs approved or

number of hours approved by

the sponsor or the approving

organization for the specific

program or activity.

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offered by any of the following:

 American Association of Veterinary

State Board (AAVSB) Registry of

Continuing Education (RACE).

 American Veterinary Medical

Association (AVMA).

 World Veterinary Association

(WVA).

 Michigan Veterinary Medical

Association (MVMA).

 Michigan Association of Veterinary

Technicians (MAVT).

 A state veterinary board of another

state.

 Local, state, or regional professional

organization.

 Member institution of the

Association of American Veterinary

Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

 All AVMA constituent allied

organizations and recognized veterinary

specialty organizations.

 AVMA accredited veterinary

technician program.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy

of a letter or certificate of completion

showing the licensee’s name, number of

continuing education hours earned, the

sponsor’s name or the name of the

organization that approved the activity for

continuing education credit, the name of

the program or activity, and the date on

which the program was held or the activity

completed.

(b)

Attendance at or participation in a

continuing education program or activity

The number of continuing

education hours for a specific

related to practice as a veterinary technician activity or program is the

which includes, but is not limited to, live-in number of hours approved by

person programs; interactive or monitored

teleconferences; web-based programs;

online programs; and journal articles or

other self-study programs approved by or

offered by any of the following:

the sponsor or approving

organization for the specific

program or activity. A

maximum of 2 hours of

continuing education may be

earned for this activity in each

 American Medical Association

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(AMA).

renewal period.

 Michigan State Medical Society

(MSMS).

 Accreditation Council for

Continuing Medical Education

(ACCME).

 American Osteopathic Association

(AOA).

 Michigan Osteopathic Association

(MOA).

 Educational courses offered by a

regionally accredited college or

university relating to the husbandry of

food producing animals.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy

of a letter or certificate of completion

showing the licensee’s name, number of

continuing education hours earned, the

sponsor’s name or the name of the

organization that approved the activity, and

the date on which the program was held or

the activity completed.

(c)

Initial presentation of a continuing

education program related to practice as a

veterinarian technician provided to a state,

regional, national, or international

Two hours of continuing

education are earned for each

50 to 60 minutes of

presentation. No additional

credit is earned for preparation

of the presentation. A maximum

veterinary medicine organization.

To receive credit, the presentation must not of 5 hours of continuing

be part of the licensee’s regular job

description and must be approved or

offered for continuing education credit by

any of the following:

 MVM-RACE.

 AVMA.

education may be earned for

this activity in each renewal

period.

 WVA.

 MVMA.

 MAVT.

 A state veterinary board of another

state.

 AMA.

 MSMS.

 ACCME.

 AOA.

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 MOA.

 Member institution of the AAVMC.

 All AVMA constituent allied

organizations and recognized veterinary

specialty organizations.

 Educational courses offered by a

regionally accredited college or

university relating to the husbandry of

food producing animals.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy

of the presentation notice or advertisement

showing the date of the presentation, the

licensee’s name listed as presenter, and the

name of the organization that approved or

offered the presentation for continuing

education credit.

(d)

(e)

(f)

Initial publication of an article related to

practice as a veterinary technician in a

peer-reviewed journal.

Five hours of continuing

education are earned for serving

as the primary author. Two

hours of continuing education

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy are earned for serving as the

of the publication that identifies the

licensee as the author or co-author or a

publication acceptance letter.

secondary author. A maximum

of 5 hours of continuing

education may be earned for

this activity in each renewal

period.

Five hours of continuing

education are earned for serving

as the primary author. Two

hours of continuing education

Initial publication of a chapter related to

practice as a veterinary technician in a

professional or peer-reviewed textbook.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy are earned for serving as the

of the publication that identifies the

licensee as the author or co-author or a

publication acceptance letter.

secondary author. A maximum

of 5 hours of continuing

education may be earned for

this activity in each renewal

period.

Two hours of continuing

education are earned for each

50 to 60 minutes of scheduled

instruction. No additional credit

is earned for preparation of the

Service as a clinical instructor for

veterinary technician students engaged in

an educational program that satisfies the

requirements of R 338.4971a.

To receive credit, the clinical instructorship lecture. A maximum of 5 hours

shall not be the licensee’s primary

employment function.

may be earned for this activity

in each renewal period.

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If audited, the licensee shall submit proof

of scheduled instructional hours and a letter

from the program director verifying the

licensee’s role.

(g)

Participation on a state or national

committee, board, council, or association

related to practice as a veterinary

Two hours of continuing

education are earned for each

committee, board, council, or

technician. A committee, board, council, or association. A maximum of 2

association is considered acceptable by the hours of continuing education

board if it enhances the participant’s

may be earned for this activity

knowledge and understanding of practice as in each renewal period.

a veterinary technician.

If audited, the licensee shall submit

documentation verifying the licensee’s

participation in at least 75% of the

regularly scheduled meetings of the

committee, board, council, or association.