Section 9.05. Unprofessional conduct.

  The following acts constitute unprofessional conduct by a veterinary technician and are prohibited:

(1)  Performing as a veterinary technician unless supervised as specified under s. VE 7.02 (3) , (4) and (7) .

(2)  Misrepresentation in obtaining a veterinary technician certificate or in performing as a veterinary technician.

(3)  Conduct in the practice of veterinary technology which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

(4)  Gross negligence while performing as a veterinary technician. Gross negligence shall have the meaning specified in s. VE 7.01 (4) .

(5)  The personal use, misuse or sale other than for medical treatment of patients, of drugs listed in the U.S. controlled substances act of 1970, as amended, or ch. 961 , Stats. , other than drugs prescribed by a physician for use by the veterinary technician.

(6)  Practicing or attempting to practice while the veterinary technician has a physical or mental impairment, including impairment related to drugs or alcohol, which is reasonably related to the applicant's ability to adequately undertake the practice of veterinary technology in a manner consistent with the safety of a patient or the public.

(7)  Being convicted of a crime the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of veterinary technology.

(8)  Violating or aiding and abetting the violation of any law or administrative rule substantially related to the practice of veterinary technology.

(9)  Having a veterinary technician certificate limited, suspended or revoked or subject to any other disciplinary action in another state or U.S. jurisdiction.

(10)  Accepting fees for animal health care services from a client.

(11)  Practicing under an expired certificate.

(12)  Falsely certifying to the board under s. VE 10.02 (6) that the veterinary technician:

(a) Has completed the 15 hours of continuing education required under s. VE 10.02 (2) .

(b) Is exempt under s. VE 10.02 (3) from having to complete the 15 hours of continuing education required under s. VE 10.02 (2) .

(13)  Advertising a specialty or claiming to be a specialist when not recognized as such by a veterinary technician specialty academy recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) or by a foreign veterinary technician specialty academy which, in the opinion of the board, is equivalent to a NAVTA recognized veterinary technician specialty academy.

History: Cr. Register, September, 1989, No. 405 , eff. 10-1-89; cr. (12), Register, February, 1992, No. 434 , eff. 3-1-92; am. (1), Register, May, 1994, No. 461 , eff. 6-1-94; am. (intro), (1) to (9) and (12), Register, December, 1998, No. 516 , eff. 1-1-99; correction in (5) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, May, 2001, No. 545 ; CR 04-125 : renum. (12) to be (12) (intro.) and am., cr. (12) (a) to (e) Register August 2005 No. 596 , eff. 9-1-05; CR 12-052 : am. (12) (intro.), r. (12) (c) to (e) Register September 2013 No. 693 , eff. 10-1-13; CR 13-031 : cr. (13) Register April 2014 No. 700 , eff. 5-1-14.