Continuing education: veterinarians.

Existing law creates a Veterinary Medical Board in the Department of Consumer Affairs whose highest priority is to protect the public in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Existing law requires applications for a veterinarian license to be furnished on a form and accompanied by a diploma or other verification of graduation from a veterinary college recognized by the board. Existing law requires each veterinarian licensed by the board to biennially apply for renewal of his or her license. Existing law requires the board to issue renewal licenses to those applicants that have completed a minimum of 36 hours of continuing education in the preceding 2 years, including no more than 6 hours of self-study courses. This bill would instead authorize an applicant for renewal to earn a total of 6 hours or less of the 36 hours of continuing education by either taking up to 6 hours of self-study courses or providing up to 4 hours of pro bono spaying or neutering services to a household with a demonstrated financial need for reduced-cost services, or a combination thereof.