Oklahoma Veterinary Licensing Explained: RVT Renewal, the July to June CE Year and the Required CDS Hours

Oklahoma's veterinary board regulates more kinds of animal health workers than most: veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, animal euthanasia technicians, non veterinarian equine dental providers and reproductive services technicians. For veterinarians and technicians, the rules come down to an annual CE year and a required block on controlled substance law.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (OSBVME) licenses and certifies veterinary professionals. Its rules are Title 775 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. Oklahoma's technician credential is the registered veterinary technician (RVT), renewed every year under OAC 775:10-7-4.

The CE year: July 1 to June 30

Every credential runs CE from July 1 to June 30.

Required topics

• Everyone: 2 hours each year on state or federal controlled dangerous substance (CDS) laws, or a review of the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act and its rules. Attending a board meeting also counts for this category.
• Veterinarians: also 1 hour on opioids, in opioid pain management or opioid use and addiction.

What counts, and the caps

For both veterinarians and RVTs:

• College and extension seminars, veterinary technology schools, and national, regional, state or local scientific meetings: one hour per hour of attendance.
• Interactive online courses: one hour per approved hour, if RACE approved or offered by Oklahoma State University's veterinary college. There is no maximum on RACE approved online CE.
• Presentations and publications, recorded or web based scientific material, and journal reading: capped at 4 hours each for veterinarians and 2 hours each for RVTs.

Courses already approved by the AVMA, the AAVSB, OSU's veterinary college, another state's board or a recognized state association need no further approval. Others must be submitted to the board with a notice, agenda, presentation and attendance sheet.

Records

You do not send certificates with your renewal. Keep them in a readily retrievable file for five years for random audits.

New graduates

RVTs certified within one calendar year of graduating do not report CE until their second renewal after initial certification.

How to verify an Oklahoma license

The OSBVME's online verification lets anyone search veterinarians and technicians. Confirm the credential type and status. See how to verify a veterinary license.

What this means for Oklahoma practices

• Plan the CDS hours. Two hours of controlled substance law are required every year for everyone; a board meeting is an easy way to get them.
• Use RACE approved online CE freely. Oklahoma does not cap it, which makes the 10 RVT hours easy to fund.
• Remember the July to June year when you track your team's CE.

How Zuse helps

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

Sources

• Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Continuing education
• Oklahoma Administrative Code, 775:10-7-4, Current certification

Rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

FAQ

How much CE do Oklahoma RVTs need?

Ten hours each year from July 1 to June 30, including 2 hours on controlled dangerous substance laws or the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.

How much CE do Oklahoma veterinarians need?

Twenty hours each year, including 2 hours on controlled substance law or the practice act and 1 hour on opioids.

Is online CE limited in Oklahoma?

Not if it is RACE approved or offered by OSU's veterinary college. Recorded material, journals and presentations are capped.

Do new Oklahoma RVTs need CE for their first renewal?

RVTs certified within a year of graduating do not report CE until their second renewal.

How long should Oklahoma licensees keep CE records?

Five years, in a readily retrievable file for random audits.