1. (1) Certification expiration. A humane officer’s certification expires on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. A humane officer who fails to renew his or her certification may not continue to serve as a humane officer.

2. (2) Certification renewal. A humane officer may apply to renew his or her certification using a form provided by the department. A renewal application shall include all the following:

   1. (a) The applicant’s name, address and telephone number.
   2. (b) The identity of the applicant’s employer, if the applicant is currently employed as a humane officer.
   3. (c) A nonrefundable renewal fee of $35. This fee will not be prorated for partial years.

   4. (d) Information showing that the applicant has satisfied the continuing education requirement under sub. (3). The application shall include the following information related to each continuing education program attended:

      1. 1. The program title and sponsor.
      2. 2. The program dates.
      3. 3. The program instructors.
      4. 4. The number of hours of instruction time attended.

      5. 5. A program description provided by the program sponsor. Alternatively, the applicant may describe the program and explain why it is relevant to his or her duties as a humane officer.

         Note: You may obtain a renewal application form from the department at the following address:

         Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection,Animal Health Division, P. O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911, Phone (608) 224-4872

   5. (e) For a person who applies for the renewal of a certification after that certification has expired, in addition to all other fees required under this subsection, a late fee equal to 20% of those fees.

3. (3) Continuing education required.

   1. (a) A humane officer shall complete 32 hours of continuing education during each biennium for which the humane officer is certified. This requirement does not apply during the biennium for which the humane officer is initially certified.
   2. (b) Continuing education programs need not be pre-approved by the department. The department may refuse to accept a continuing education program in fulfillment of the requirement under par. (a) if the department finds that the program is unrelated to humane officer duties.

   3. (c) If the continuing education requirement is not fully completed during the certification biennium as required by par. (a), a certification may not be renewed until the continuing education requirement is met. Continuing education hours may only be applied to fulfill requirements for one certification renewal.

      Note: For example, continuing education hours taken in 2014 to fulfill the requirement for 32 hours of continuing education to renew a certification for the 2014-2015 certification biennium may not be used as hours towards the 2016-2017 renewal requirement.

4. (4) Expired certifications.

   1. (a) An applicant may apply to renew a certification after it has expired if application for the renewal of certification is submitted within the biennium immediately following the certification’s expiration. A certification that is expired for 2 years or longer may not be renewed.

      Note: If an applicant’s certification has been expired for at least 2 years, the applicant must complete the training and testing required under s. ATCP 15.02 to reapply.

   2. (b) To renew an expired certification under par. (a) the applicant shall submit application for renewal under sub. (2).

   3. (c) Thirty-two hours of continuing education are required to renew certification except if the previous biennium was the initial certification biennium. Certification may not be renewed until the continuing education requirement is met. Continuing education hours may only be applied to fulfill requirements for one certification renewal.

      Note: For example, continuing education hours taken in 2014 to fulfill the requirement for 32 hours to renew a certification for the 2014-2015 certification biennium may not be used as hours towards the 2016-2017 renewal requirement.

5. (5) Notifications of changes. During the certification biennium, a certified humane officer shall notify the department of any change of name, address, or phone number within 30 days of that change.

History

History: Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99; CR 11-048: am. (2) (c), cr. (2) (e), (3) (c), (4), (5) Register July 2012 No. 679, eff. 8-1-12.