California state board considering fee increases

Sacramento, Calif.

-- Fees imposed by the California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) could go up in almost every area if the board enacts a forthcoming proposal.

Fees would be raised anywhere from $50 to $125. The state board examination fee would increase from $150 to $200, the biennial license-renewal fee after July 1, 2010, would go from $250 to $325, the annual veterinary-premises registration renewal fee would increase from $100 to $225 and the biennial renewal fee for registered veterinary technicians would be jump from $100 to $175. These and other increases are to be voted on Oct. 21; the full list can be viewed here.

The VMB blames the proposed increases on a number of state, departmental and legislative actions that drain its contingency fund, over which the VMB says it has little or no control.

Those actions include salary increases authorized by the governor, defending civil actions filed against the board, increased vendor costs, increases in state employer retirement contributions and the cost of implementing new state mandates. The VMB also has had to spend more for certain programs and activities to “maintain the minimum standards of practice and an acceptable level of consumer protection.”

Expenses stem from things like an increased number of hospital inspections, increased consumer outreach activities, increased enforcement of registered veterinary technicians, increased cost of exam development and administration and an increase in the hourly rate paid to veterinarian consultants.

Written comments on the proposal will be accepted by the VMB until Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. A public hearing will follow on Oct. 21 at San Diego Zoo in the Rondoval Room at 10 a.m. The VMB could adopt the proposal at that meeting and the new fees would go into effect July 1, 2010.

Inquiries or comments can be submitted in writing to Sue Geranen or Paul Sanchez, 2005 Evergreen St., Suite 2250, Sacramento, CA 95815, by phone at (916) 263-2610 or by e-mail.