Washington Vet & Vet Tech CE Requirements
Find the latest Washington continuing education (CE) requirements for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Review license renewal dates, CE hour requirements, online CE allowances, required subjects, and Washington Veterinary Board of Governors contact information.
Fun fact: Washington’s Olympic marmot, affectionately known as the “whistle pig,” is the state’s only endemic mammal, found exclusively in the alpine meadows of the Olympic Mountains.
Fun Fact: The cold waters off the San Juan Islands are a feeding ground not only for orcas but also for massive gray whales and humpback whales.
Veterinarians
Next Renewal Date: Annually on the veterinarian's birthday
Renewal Frequency: Annually (birthdate-based)
Total Required CE credits: 30 hours every 2 years
Required Subjects: A one-time Washington jurisprudence course must be completed before the first license renewal after initial licensure. Veterinarians must also complete a one-time, three-hour suicide prevention training and two hours of health equity continuing education every four years. The jurisprudence and suicide prevention courses count toward the required CE hours.
Allowed Online: All required CE hours may be completed online through approved providers, including RACE-approved ZukuCE courses, provided the courses meet Washington's CE requirements. Live web-based courses are accepted without an hourly limit when they are interactive and occur in real time.
Record Retention: Four years
Audit Information: The Veterinary Board of Governors may audit continuing education records. Licensees should retain documentation demonstrating completion of all required CE activities.
Additional Information: Veterinarians renew their licenses annually, but continuing education is reported over a two-year cycle. Licensees may also satisfy the CE requirement by achieving board certification or maintaining enrollment in an approved residency program for the applicable reporting period.
Veterinary Technicians
Next Renewal Date: Annually on the veterinary technician's birthday
Renewal Frequency: Annually (birthdate-based)
Total Required CE credits: 20 hours every 2 years
Required Subjects: one-time Washington jurisprudence course must be completed before the first license renewal after initial licensure. Veterinary technicians must also complete a one-time, three-hour suicide prevention training. The jurisprudence course counts toward the required CE hours.
Allowed Online: All required CE hours may be completed online through approved providers, including RACE-approved ZukuCE courses, provided the courses meet Washington's CE requirements. Live web-based courses are accepted without an hourly limit when they are interactive and occur in real time.
Record Retention: Four years
Audit Information: The Veterinary Board of Governors may audit continuing education records. Licensees should retain documentation demonstrating compliance with all CE requirements.
Additional Information: Veterinary technicians renew their licenses annually, while continuing education is completed over a two-year reporting cycle. The Board may grant extensions or exemptions from CE requirements in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances.
Washington Veterinary Board of Governors
Address: 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone Number: (360) 236-4700