16.25.6 NMAC

TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 25 VETERINARY MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS

PART 6 VETERINARY TECHNICIANS

16.25.6.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine.

[16.25.6.1 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.1 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.2 SCOPE: These rules apply to all registered veterinary technicians licensed in the state of New Mexico.

[16.25.6.2 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.2 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: NMSA 1978, Section 61-14-5, Section 61-14-6, Section 61-14-7, Section 61-14-12, and Section 61-14-16.

[16.25.6.3 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.3 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[16.25.6.4 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.4 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/17/2014 unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.25.6.5 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.5 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.6 OBJECTIVE: To establish requirements for registered veterinary technicians.

[16.25.6.6 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.6 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.7 DEFINITIONS: [RESERVED]

[16.25.6.7 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.7 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.8 RULES GOVERNING REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS:

A. To perform the duties of a registered veterinary technician in New Mexico and receive a license issued by the board of veterinary medicine, an applicant must meet all the requirements set forth in these rules. The following documents are required:

(1) a completed, signed and notarized application for licensure-RVT form;

(2) the examination fee; and

(3) a color passport-type head and shoulders photograph of the applicant.

B. Prior to the applicant taking the required examinations, the application will be reviewed to determine if the applicant has satisfactorily met the board’s requirements.

(1) The applicant’s file must be complete before a license will be issued. If the required documents and information are not provided within one year of board examination, the applicant must reapply for licensure. In addition to (1), (2) and (3) above, the following documents are required:

(a) notarized copy of diploma;

(b) final transcripts from an accredited veterinary technician program; and

(2) pass all examinations required by the board;

(3) meet one of the following requirements:

(a) the applicant is a graduate veterinary technician or a senior student of a two year or longer program accredited by the American veterinary medical association; or

(b) the applicant has a current valid permit or license from another state(s) or country(ies) with similar requirements to New Mexico, as approved by the board.

[16.25.6.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.8 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.9 EXAMINATIONS:

A. Examinations shall be held as specified by the board of veterinary medicine.

(1) Applicants must pass the American association of state veterinary boards (AAVSB) veterinary technician national examination (VTNE) administered by the professional examination service (PES) with the passing grade established by PES.

(2) Prior to taking the VTNE, applicant must apply for sponsorship by the board. The list of all fees relating to examinations is set out at Subsection C of 16.25.6.9 NMAC and is posted at the board’s web site at www.nmbvm.org. In addition, the applicant must take and pass with a minimum score of 75%, the New Mexico veterinary technician licensing examination.

B. No application shall be acted upon until the examination fee is received by the executive director of the board of veterinary medicine. If the board deems an applicant ineligible for examination, fees will not be refunded.

C. The list of fees relating to examinations is as follows and is posted at the board’s web site: www.nmbvm.org.

(1) state jurisprudence examination:

(a) board set dates, January and May - $75; or

(b) date selected by applicant - $100;

(2) VTNE: board sponsorship - $65.

D. Limitations:

(1) Once the fees have been submitted to the board, the fees cannot be refunded.

(2) An applicant has a one year time limit within which to take the state examination.

E. Any applicant requesting an examination or re-examination by the board, other than board-set examinations, shall submit the application for review by the board. If the board determines that there is sufficient justification for administering a special examination, the expense of such special examination shall be borne by the applicant requesting the examination.

F. An applicant failing the examination may retake the entire examination at a scheduled time and will be charged the full examination fee.

G. The executive director will notify candidates of the examination results within 30 days of the date of the examination.

[16.25.6.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.9 NMAC, 01/17/2014; A, 1/14/2025]

16.25.6.10 RENEWAL OF LICENSE: A list of all fees relating to renewal of a registered veterinary technician license is listed at Subsection D of 16.25.6.10 NMAC and at the board’s web site: www.nmbvm.org.

A. A veterinary technician’s license expires and is due for renewal each year on the last day of December. If a registered veterinary technician’s license lapses and is not renewed within five years, they must reapply, retake and pass the examination before they can obtain licensure, NMSA 1978, Section 61-14-12.

B. A registered veterinary technician license is lapsed if the license renewal is not postal postmarked on or before the December 31 expiration date.

C. Registered veterinary technicians shall display at the business location, in full view of the public, the current year license renewal certificate.

D. License fees:

(1) initial license fee is prorated from date of license issue to last day of December;

(2) annual renewal fee - $75;

(3) inactive status - $47. Annual continuing education requirement must be fulfilled and reported;

(4) license reactivation - $65 along with completed application for reactivation and verification of required annual 8.00 continuing education hours while license in inactive status; and

(5) late renewal penalties:

(a) postal postmarked no later than 30 days after December 31 expiration date - $32; or

(b) postal postmarked more than 30 days after December 31 expiration date - $32 plus $6.25 per day not to exceed $375.

E. Continuing education.

(1) Each registered veterinary technician licensed to practice in New Mexico must certify that he has completed at least eight hours of approved continuing education during the preceding year. The hours will be derived from seminars, short courses, or scientific programs approved by RACE, AVMA, NAVTA, or sponsored by a veterinary medical association, veterinary organization, university, or by the board. There will be no exemptions for age or retirement.

(2) A waiver of delinquent hours may be granted by the board if a request is made in writing. The hours must be made up in the next calendar year and is in addition to the current year annual CE requirement.

(3) Continuing education hours will be accumulated on an annual basis from January through December.

(4) A maximum of eight credit hours may be accrued as excess and carried forward to the subsequent licensing year.

(5) A form to be completed by the registered veterinary technician at the time of annual renewal will be provided by the board of veterinary medicine.

(6) The burden of proving the validity of the reported hours lies solely with the registered veterinary technician.

(7) A new licensee must comply with the continuing education requirement beginning the next full licensure year after graduation.

(8) In general, CE must be in the form of contact hours. Credit for non-contact forms of instruction including online training or articles in printed periodicals is accepted, if the instruction:

(a) is designed for veterinary technicians; and

(b) non-contact hours do not comprise more than half of the annual requirement of eight CE hours.

[16.25.6.10 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.10 NMAC, 01/17/2014; A, 05/08/2016; A, 1/14/2025]

16.25.6.11 ADDRESS CHANGE NOTIFICATION: Throughout his period of licensure, every board licensee must notify the board in writing within 30 days of any change of address. A change of address form is available at the board’s web site. All correspondence will be addressed to the executive director of the New Mexico board of veterinary medicine.

[16.25.6.11 NMAC - N, 01/17/2014]

16.25.6.12 SUPERVISION OF REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS:

A. A registered veterinary technician’s professional activities must be under the supervision and direction of a licensed or license-exempt veterinarian.

(1) Direct supervision: Treatment of animals at the direction, order or prescription of a licensed veterinarian who is available on the premises and has established a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship. NMSA 1978, Section 61-14-2(I).

(2) Indirect supervision: Treatment of animals when a licensed veterinarian is not physically present at the location but has given written or oral instructions for treatment of the animal; the animal has been examined by veterinarian at such times as good veterinary medical practice requires consistent with the particular delegated veterinary care task; and the animal is not anesthetized.

(3) The following life-saving aid and procedures a registered veterinary technician may perform under prior approval of the licensed veterinarian in the absence of direct supervision includes:

(a) application of tourniquet or pressure bandages to control hemorrhages;

(b) administration of pharmacological agents to prevent or control shock, including parenteral fluids, and shall only be continued after direct communication with a licensed or license exempt veterinarian.

(d) establishing open airways including intubations but excluding surgery;

(e) external cardiac resuscitation;

(f) application of temporary splints or bandages to prevent further injury to bones or soft tissues;

(g) application of wound dressings and external supportive treatment in severe burn cases; and

(h) external supportive treatment in heat prostration or hypothermal cases.

[16.25.6.12 NMAC - Rp, 16.25.6.11 NMAC, 01/17/2014]

HISTORY OF 16.25.6 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the State Records Center:

BVE Rule No. 75-2, Rules Governing the Professional Conduct of Veterinarians, filed 12-5-75.

BVE Rule No. 76-1, Rules Governing Veterinary Technicians, filed 3-5-76.

BVE Rule No. 76-1, Amendment No. 1, (BVE Rule No. 78-1) Pertaining to Veterinary Technician Emergency Care, filed 10-30-78.

BVE Rule 79-5, Rules Governing Veterinary Technicians, filed 9-21-79.

BVE 88-5, Rules Governing Veterinary Technicians, filed 10-14-88.

BVE 92-5, Rules Governing Veterinary Technicians, filed 5-22-92.

BVE 93-5, Rules Governing Veterinary Technicians, filed 6-3-93.

History of Repealed Material: 16.25.6 NMAC, Veterinary Technicians, filed 3-15-04 - Repealed effective 01-17-14.