Continuing Education in the Veterinary Medicine Industry: What You Should Know
Formal education is required to work in the veterinary medicine industry. If you’re planning to become a veterinarian, you’ll have to complete a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at an accredited college or learning institution. To become a veterinary technician, on the other hand, you’ll have to earn an associate’s degree in veterinary technology. While there are many different professions in the veterinary medicine industry, most of them require at least some type of formal education. Even after completing the necessary program or class, though, continuing education may be required.
What Is Continuing Education?
Continuing education is exactly what it sounds like: ongoing education for a given profession or field that occurs after the initial education. It’s known as “continuing education” because it “continues” after the initial education. It’s typically offered at colleges, private academies and similar learning institutions. In some cases, continuing education may be offered online.
Many professions and fields require continuing education. In the veterinary medicine industry, veterinarians and veterinary technicians are typically required to complete continuing education programs as per their state’s licensing or certification guidelines.
Different states have different continuing education guidelines for veterinarians. Georgia, for instance, requires a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education for veterinarians every two years. Two years is the renewal period in the Peach State. If you’re a veterinarian in Georgia, you’ll have to renew your license to practice every two years. One of the requirements for renewal is 30 hours of accredited continuing education. Every two years, you’ll have to complete 30 hours of continuing education. Otherwise, you won’t be able to renew your license, nor will you be able to practice. Other states have different requirements. Nonetheless, continuing education is common for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
The Importance of Continuing Education in the Veterinary Medicine Industry
As advancements continue to be made in the veterinary medicine industry, veterinarians and veterinary technicians — along with other veterinary professionals — must stay up to date on their knowledge and training. This is why continuing education is important in the veterinary medicine industry.
Veterinary medicine has come a long way over the years. New procedures, drugs and methods have been developed that, compared to those in the past, offer a better prognosis. With continuing education, veterinarians and veterinary technicians can learn about these new advancements so that they offer the best treatment for their clients’ animals.
Education itself isn’t static. Knowledge for any topic will change over time. For some professions and industries, though, continuing education is particularly important. In the veterinary medicine industry, it allows veterinarians and veterinary technicians to learn about new procedures, drugs and methods. They can apply this knowledge to their practice while improving the lives of their clients’ animals in the process. Continuing education is necessary to ensure that veterinarians and veterinary technicians know about the latest advancements in this ever-changing industry.
Continuing education, of course, is a legal requirement for most states. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians must complete the necessary continuing education courses to maintain a license to practice. Without continuing education, they may not be able to renew their license or certification, in which case they won’t be able to legally practice in their state.
Getting Started With Continuing Education
You’ll need to check your state’s requirements for continuing education. As previously mentioned, continuing education is regulated on a state level. How do you know what the continuing education requirements are for your state exactly? You can always contact your state’s board of veterinary medicine. Most states have a board of veterinary medicine, which is responsible for licensing and certification of veterinarians. By contacting your state’s board of veterinary medicine, you can inquire about the continuing education requirements.
The American Veterinary Medication Association (AVMA) has a portal with tools and resources for continuing education. You can access this portal by following this link. On the AVMA’s portal, you can find courses for continuing education, including online courses that you can perform over the internet. It’s a useful tool for learning about continuing education as well as completing the necessary course or courses.
Keep in mind that continuing education isn’t required for all veterinary professionals. Veterinary practice managers and assistants may not be required to complete this ongoing education. For other veterinary professions, however, continuing education is typically required as per the state’s guidelines. This is why it’s a good idea to check your state’s guidelines before signing up for a continuing education course.
In Conclusion
Once you’ve secured a job as a veterinary or veterinary technician, you’ll need to satisfy your state’s continuing education requirements. Continuing education is ongoing training that’s relevant to a specific profession or industry. In the veterinary medicine industry, veterinarians and veterinary technicians are typically required to complete conducting education once every few years. It’s necessary to ensure that veterinary professionals are up to date with their training.
