(1) "Registered veterinary medication clerk" means any person who has met the requirements for registration as established by the veterinary board of governors (board) and WAC 246-937-040.

(2) "Direct supervision" means the supervising licensed veterinarian is on the premises and is quickly and easily available.

(3) "Indirect supervision" means the supervising licensed veterinarian is not on the premises, but has given either written or oral instructions regarding policies and procedures for the handling of legend drugs.

(4) "On-the-job training program" means a program following the guidelines approved by the board.

(5) "Supervising veterinarian" means the licensed veterinarian who is responsible for closely supervising the registered veterinary medication clerk while performing daily duties.

(6) "Sponsoring veterinarian" means the licensed veterinarian who is responsible for training and reviewing the work of a registered veterinary medication clerk. An appropriate degree of supervision is involved.

Licensed veterinarians are responsible and accountable for the ordering, inventory, labeling, counting, packaging and delivery of legend drugs utilized in their practice. In accordance with chapter 18.92 RCW, certain nondiscretionary pharmaceutical tasks may be delegated by a veterinarian to a qualified nonveterinarian. The delegating veterinarian is responsible for the supervision of pharmaceutical tasks performed by veterinary medication clerks and veterinary technicians. Records shall be maintained that account for the receipt and disposition of all legend drugs. A registered veterinary medication clerk may be supervised by a licensed veterinarian other than the sponsor subject to the sponsoring veterinarian's approval. The sponsoring veterinarian shall be primarily responsible for the performance and acts of the registered veterinary medication clerk.

(1) A registered veterinary medication clerk may perform the following tasks only under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian: Counting, labeling, and packaging of legend drugs. A licensed veterinarian must personally inspect all packaged medication orders to ensure the accuracy of the order prior to delivery to the client. The licensed veterinarian will document the medication inspection by placing his/her initials in the patient's record.

(2) A registered veterinary medication clerk may perform the following tasks under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian: Ordering, stocking, inventorying, and the delivery of legend drugs. The identity of the client must be confirmed before the delivery of legend drugs.

(3) The following functions must not be delegated by a licensed veterinarian to a registered veterinary medication clerk:

(a) Consultation with a client regarding the medication order and/or any information involving professional clinical judgment.

(b) Dispensing any medication. The medication must be recorded in the patient's record by the authorizing veterinarian.

(c) Extemporaneous compounding of a medication order.

(d) Interpretation of data in a patient record.

(e) Final inspection of a completed medication order as described in WAC 246-937-030(1).

(f) Any duties required by law to be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

(g) Any ordering, accountability, packaging, or delivery of controlled substances as defined in or under chapter 69.50 RCW.

To qualify for registration as a veterinary medication clerk, an individual must:

(1) Be a high school graduate or equivalent.

(2) Be sponsored by a veterinarian licensed in the state of Washington.

(3) Complete either an on-the-job training program or an educational program that meets, at a minimum, the criteria set in the model training program approved by the veterinary board of governors and the pharmacy quality assurance commission.

In addition to the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2, the application must be signed by the sponsoring veterinarian attesting that the applicant is qualified to perform the responsibilities of a registered veterinary medication clerk and is familiar with the procedures and policies of the practice. Registration is valid only for employment at the veterinary practice identified in the application and/or pursuant to WAC 246-937-020.

In the event that a veterinary medication clerk who is currently registered, desires to be sponsored by another licensed veterinarian, application for transfer of registration must be made on forms provided by the board and be subject to the board's approval.

Upon termination of the working relationship, between the registered veterinary medication clerk and the sponsoring veterinarian, the sponsoring veterinarian shall notify the board in writing.

The board may suspend, revoke or deny the issuance or renewal of registration of any veterinary medication clerk and file its decision in the secretary's office if the veterinary medication clerk:

(1) Has employed fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or obtaining the registration;

(2) Has within ten years prior to the date of application been found guilty by any court of competent jurisdiction of violation of laws relating to the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry, including, but not limited to:

(a) State or federal laws relating to the regulation of drugs;

(b) Chronic inebriety;

(c) Cruelty to animals;

(3) Has violated or attempted to violate any provision of chapter 18.92 RCW or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to that chapter;

(4) Has assisted, abetted or conspired with another person to violate chapter 18.92 RCW, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to that chapter;

(5) Has performed any animal health care service not authorized by WAC 246-937-030.

All employees, including but not limited to, animal health technicians, employed by research facilities or other testing or educational businesses or institutions, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter provided, that said employees are under the direct supervision of licensed veterinarians and further, that animals being treated, tested or utilized are not client-owned animals.

(1) Registrations must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.

(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged: