(1) Each veterinarian licensed shall be required to obtain every two years a minimum of 20 credit hours of continuing education approved by the board. The credit hours must be obtained within the 24 months prior to renewal on the date set by ARM 24.101.413 of the even-numbered years. Licensees licensed less than two full calendar years but more than one full calendar year on their first continuing education reporting date shall be required to submit ten hours of continuing education.

(a) It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to maintain proof of his/her continuing education attendance and to certify compliance on the renewal application in the even-numbered years only. During the renewal process in the odd-numbered years, no continuing education is to be certified.

(i) Proof of continuing education attendance must be in the form of a certificate of completion and/or program containing the following information:

(A) name of licensee,

(B) name of presenter,

(C) title of presentation,

(D) date of presentation,

(E) number of hours, and

(F) presentation format.

(b) A veterinarian may be granted a grace period of three months after the deadline set by ARM 24.101.413 in which to fulfill the continuing education requirements. This grace period shall be granted only upon written request to the board, payment of the late penalty fee and upon board approval. A license to practice veterinary medicine valid for the duration of the grace period will be issued to those persons granted grace by the board.

(c) Continuing education credits obtained during a grace period or restoration period cannot be used for the next reporting period.

(2) Credit hours shall be earned by one hour credit for each hour of attendance at or participation in meetings and programs approved by the board. Board approved programs include, but are not limited to, those sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, western states veterinary conferences, veterinary college conferences and state association meetings, and any other affiliated association, society, etc. related to veterinary medicine that have specific topics for veterinarians. Programs shall be of a professional veterinary nature to qualify, with the number of practice management hours reported not to exceed 25 percent of the total required continuing education hours.

(3) Continuing education courses offered and completed on the Internet or via other similar electronic means may be accepted, if all criteria listed in (1) and (2) above are met, for a maximum of ten credits.

(4) The board will randomly audit two percent of the licensees and all licensees requesting a grace period each continuing education year. Certificates of completion and/or programs must be submitted upon request of the board.

(5) Those persons exempt under the above provisions are:

(a) new licensees who are applying for their first annual certificate of registration; and

(b) persons on active duty by a branch of the armed services of the United States.

(6) If a licensee is unable to acquire sufficient continuing education credits, he or she may request a hardship exemption. All requests for exemptions will be evaluated by the board on an individual basis.