201 KAR 16:560 - Certification as an animal euthanasia specialist

RELATES TO: KRS 257.160, 321.207, 321.235(7), 321.351

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 321.207(3) requires the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners to issue a certificate to a person who meets the qualifications of an animal euthanasia specialist and is approved by the board for a certificate. KRS 321.235(3) and 321.240(5) authorize the board to promulgate administrative regulations to implement KRS Chapter 321. This administrative regulation establishes the qualifications for certification as an animal euthanasia specialist and the duties of an animal euthanasia specialist.

Section 1. In order to be eligible for certification as a certified animal euthanasia specialist an applicant shall:

(1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(2) Be of good moral character;

(3) Not have been convicted of, or entered an "Alford" plea or plea of nolo contendere to, irrespective of an order granting probation or suspending imposition of any sentence imposed following the conviction or entry of the plea, one (1) or more or the following in the last ten (10) years, subject to the provisions of KRS Chapter 335B:

(a) A felony;

(b) An act involving moral turpitude or gross immorality; or

(c) A violation of any law, rule, or administrative regulation of this state, any other state, or the United States government that involves the use or trafficking of illegal substances;

(4) Have a high school diploma or general equivalency degree (GED);

(5) Pay the initial certification fee as specified in 201 KAR 16:514;

(6) Be employed by a board certified animal control agency; and

(7) Have completed a board approved sixteen (16) hour euthanasia specialist training course as established in Section 2 of this administrative regulation within ten (10) years prior to application.

Section 2. Euthanasia Specialist Training Course Curriculum.

(1) The curriculum for the sixteen (16) hour euthanasia specialist course shall provide information on the following subjects:

(a) Pharmacology, proper administration, and storage of euthanasia solutions that shall consist of a minimum of eight (8) hours;

(b) Federal and state laws regulating the storage and accountability for euthanasia solutions;

(c) Euthanasia specialist stress management;

(d) Proper animal handling with emphasis on easing the trauma and stress to the animal; and

(e) Disposal of euthanized animals.

(2) A training course for a euthanasia specialist shall be reviewed and approved by the board prior to presentation. A provider of a euthanasia specialist training shall submit the following information to the board:

(a) A published course or similar description;

(b) Names and qualifications of current instructors;

(c) A copy of the program agenda indicating hours of education, refreshment, and lunch breaks;

(d) A copy of the full program curriculum;

(e) A copy of an official certificate of completion from the sponsoring agency; and

(f) Upon completion of the instruction of a sixteen (16)-hour euthanasia course, a complete attendee list to the board, including the following:

1. The dates and locations of the course;

2. Each attendee's full name and address; and

3. Notation by an individual's name if the course was not completed.

Section 3. An application to the board for certification as an animal euthanasia specialist shall include the following components:

(1) A completed application on an Application for Certification as an Animal Euthanasia Specialist form or online equivalent form, including all required attachments;

(2) An official copy of final transcripts or a copy of the applicant's diploma from high school, or GED certificate, or highest level of education attained;

(3) A copy of a certificate of completion from a board approved sixteen (16)-hour euthanasia training course; and

(4) Payment for the application fee pursuant to 201 KAR 16:514.

Section 4. An individual with an expired animal euthanasia specialist certificate may reinstate their certificate if not more than five (5) years have elapsed since the last date of certificate expiration. Reinstatement applications seeking board approval for certification as an animal euthanasia specialist shall include the following components:

(1) A completed application on a Reinstatement Application for Animal Euthanasia Specialists form or online equivalent form, including all required attachments; and

(2) Payment for the application fee pursuant to 201 KAR 16:514.

Section 5. An application to the board for approval for a change in licensure status shall be made in accordance with 201 KAR 16:580.

Section 6. Background Checks. The board may conduct a national or jurisdictional level background check on each applicant for certification. The check shall be processed by a board approved background check provider, and may include a copy of the applicant's fingerprints captured at a board approved location. The board may reject background checks that do not have an official seal or watermark, or that are more than ninety (90) days old. The board may impose additional requirements as a condition of certification or deny certification following the board's review of findings from a background check.

Section 7. Employment and Termination.

(1) A person may function as a certified animal euthanasia specialist only while he or she remains employed by a certified animal control agency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

(2) Upon termination of employment with a certified animal control agency or upon expiration of the certified animal control agency's certificate, a certified animal euthanasia specialist's certificate status shall automatically be moved by the board from an active to inactive status. The inactive certified individual shall not perform animal euthanasia until he or she has obtained employment with a certified animal control agency with a certificate in active status, and applied to the board and been approved to move the animal euthanasia specialist certificate back into active status in accordance with 201 KAR 16:580.

Section 8. Duties of a Certified Animal Euthanasia Specialist. The duties of certified animal euthanasia specialist shall include the following:

(1) Preparing animals for euthanasia;

(2) Carefully and accurately recording dosages, administration, and drug waste;

(3) Ordering supplies and drugs;

(4) Maintaining the security of all controlled substances and drugs in accordance with 201 KAR 16:550 and other applicable federal, state, and local laws;

(5) Reporting to the board any infraction of KRS Chapter 321 or 201 KAR Chapter 16;

(6) Humanely euthanizing animals;

(7) Disposing of the bodies in a manner consistent with KRS 257.160;

(8) Maintaining his or her certification;

(9) Reporting to the board any change of address within thirty (30) days; and

(10) Providing a written response to a grievance or inquiry from the board within thirty (30) days of receipt.

Section 9. Approved Methods of Euthanasia.

(1) A certified animal euthanasia specialist shall perform euthanasia by means of lethal injection on an animal by use of sodium pentobarbital or other AVMA approved euthanasia drug and AVMA approved administration methodology, in a manufactured dosage form, whose only indication is for euthanizing animals.

(2) When using a lethal solution to perform euthanasia on an animal, a certified animal euthanasia specialist shall use the appropriate solution in accordance with the following methods and in the following order of preference:

(a) Intravenous injection by hypodermic needle;

(b) Intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle;

(c) Intracardial injection by hypodermic needle, but only on a sedated or unconscious animal; or

(d) Solution or powder added to food.

Section 10. Disciplinary Action. A certified animal euthanasia specialist shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS 321.235(7) and 321.351 for a violation of state or federal statutes or administrative regulations.

Section 11. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a) "Application for Certification as an Animal Euthanasia Specialist", 3/2020; and

(b) "Reinstatement Application for Animal Euthanasia Specialists", 3/2020.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subjected to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, 107 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This material may also be obtained at www.kybve.com.

Notes

201 KAR 16:560

46 Ky.R. 1736, 2470, 2612; eff. 6-30-2020.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 321.207(3), 321.235(3), 321.240(5)