Kentucky Veterinary Licensing Explained: LVT Renewal, the Live CE Rule and Kentucky's In Person VCPR

Kentucky's veterinary board has clear, technician friendly rules, a live CE requirement, and a deliberate choice on telemedicine: Kentucky reaffirmed in 2023 that a veterinarian client patient relationship must start in person.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in Kentucky

The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) licenses veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Its regulations are in Title 201, Chapter 16 of the Kentucky Administrative Regulations. Kentucky's technician credential is the licensed veterinary technician (LVT).

LVT renewal and continuing education

From the KBVE's continuing education page:

• The renewal cycle runs from October 1 to September 30 each year.
• 6 CE hours per cycle, in veterinary medicine or veterinary technology.
• All 6 may be earned online, but at least half (3 hours) must be live and in real time, either in person or online. A recorded course does not count toward those 3.
• At most 3 hours may cover practice management, administration, wellbeing or other professional topics not directly about veterinary medicine or technology.
• For renewals beginning after September 30, 2024, at least 1 of the 6 hours must be in a topic the board specifies. Check the board's current rule for which topic.

Exceptions

• New graduates: a new LVT completing their first term of licensure who graduated within 12 months of being licensed does not need CE for that renewal (201 KAR 16:590).
• Licensed late in the cycle: technicians first licensed between June 2 and September 30 have their first renewal fee waived (201 KAR 16:512).
• Military: the renewal fee is waived for technicians on active duty, in the active reserves or the National Guard, and halved for those who retired with 20 or more years of service.
• Inactive status: the renewal fee drops to $10 and no CE is required. Inactive licensees must still renew every cycle or the license expires, and they bring CE up to date when they reinstate.

Kentucky's in person VCPR

The veterinarian client patient relationship (VCPR) decides when a veterinarian can diagnose and prescribe. In 2023, as other states debated letting it be established by telemedicine, Kentucky went the other way. According to the AVMA, the Kentucky VMA and the KBVE reviewed the practice act together, held meetings around the state, and surveyed members. Asked whether they wanted to keep an in person VCPR every 12 months, the KVMA's executive director said "virtually everybody raised their hand," across mixed animal, equine and small animal practice. Kentucky kept the in person requirement.

For Kentucky practices, telemedicine works within an existing relationship: follow ups, rechecks and advice for patients you have examined. See telemedicine and the VCPR.

How to verify a Kentucky license

The KBVE's online verification system shows each license's status and issue date. Search by name or number and confirm the type (veterinarian or LVT). Because the technician cycle ends September 30, check technicians on your schedule each October. See how to verify a veterinary license.

What this means for Kentucky practices

• Make live CE easy. Three live hours a year is small, and a lunch and learn or a live webinar covers it.
• Check technicians every October. The cycle ends September 30.
• Hiring a new graduate in summer? Their first renewal fee is waived if they are licensed between June 2 and September 30.

How Zuse helps

Zuse Hire shows Kentucky practices the licensed veterinarians and LVTs nearby, checked against the board's record. On Zuse Talent, Kentucky veterinarians and technicians can claim their license and browse vet tech jobs and veterinarian jobs with pay shown.

Sources

• Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, Continuing education
• AVMA News, VCPR requirements fuel state legislative activity (November 2, 2023)

Rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.

FAQ

How much CE do Kentucky LVTs need?

Six hours each renewal cycle, which runs October 1 to September 30. At least 3 must be live and in real time, and no more than 3 may be on practice management or other non clinical topics.

Can Kentucky vet techs do all their CE online?

Yes, but at least half must be live, real time online or in person. Recorded courses alone are not enough.

Do new Kentucky LVTs need CE for their first renewal?

Not if they graduated within 12 months of being licensed and are completing their first term.

Can Kentucky veterinarians establish a VCPR by telemedicine?

No. Kentucky reaffirmed in 2023 that the relationship must be established in person.

What is inactive status for Kentucky LVTs?

An option with a $10 renewal fee and no CE. Inactive licensees must still renew each cycle, and must complete CE when they reinstate.