To amend regulations to add a requirement for one hour of continuing education on the subjects of diversity, equity, and inclusion

The petition will be published on January 18, 2021 in the Register of Regulations and also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment ending February 18, 2021.

Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will be on the Board’s agenda for its first meeting after the comment period, which is scheduled for March 11, 2021. The petitioner will be informed of its decision after that meeting.

The petition was published on January 18, 2021 in the Register of Regulations and also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment. There were four comments in opposition to such an action.

At its meeting yesterday, the Board decided not to initiate rulemaking. Board members noted that the purpose of the Board is protection of the public and that continuing education should be used to improve patient care. Virginia requires CE courses to be clinical in content; so while Board members are very supportive of efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine, they did not agree that required coursework as a condition of licensure renewal was advisable.