Mandatory continuing education will be required for veterinarians in the state if a bill introduced last week in the Michigan House of Representatives passes.

House Bill 4408, introduced by State Representative Kathy Crawford, R-Novi, would require veterinarians practicing in Michigan to complete at least 30 hours of continuing education courses or programs approved by the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine every two years. Licensed veterinary technicians would be required to complete 10 hours of continuing education.

The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will work together to develop the programs that will assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in meeting these requirements.

Karlene Belyea, chief executive officer of the MVMA, said 80 percent of the MVMA’s membership supports mandatory continuing education.

“Veterinarians are often the first line of defense for public health and the food supply,” she said. “Many of today’s challenges didn’t exist when many current veterinarians attended or graduated from veterinary school. This is an important step in demonstrating the commitment Michigan practitioners have to protecting animal and human health”