Article 2.5 - Registered Veterinary Technicians

California Business and Professions Code — §§ 4836-4845

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Sections (26)

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 239, Sec. 4. (AB 1839) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)The board shall adopt regulations establishing animal health care tasks and an appropriate degree of supervision required for those tasks that may be performed only by a registered veterinary technician or a licensed veterinarian.

(b)The board also may adopt regulations establishing animal health care tasks that may be performed by a veterinary assistant as well as by a registered veterinary technician or a licensed veterinarian. The board shall establish an appropriate degree of supervision by a registered veterinary technician or a licensed veterinarian over a veterinary assistant for any tasks established under this subdivision and the degree

of supervision for any of those tasks shall be higher than, or equal to, the degree of supervision required when a registered veterinary technician performs the task.

(c)The board may adopt regulations, as needed, to define subdivision (c) of Section 4840, including, but not limited to, procedures for citations and fines, in accordance with Section 125.9.

§ 4836.1

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 497, Sec. 60. (SB 1526) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a registered veterinary technician or a veterinary assistant may administer a drug, including, but not limited to, a drug that is a controlled substance, under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian when done pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed veterinarian. However, no person, other than a licensed veterinarian, may induce anesthesia unless authorized by regulation of the California Veterinary Medical Board.

(b)A veterinary assistant may obtain or administer a controlled substance pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed veterinarian,

only if they meet both of the following conditions:

(1)Is designated by a licensed veterinarian to obtain or administer controlled substances.

(2)Holds a valid veterinary assistant controlled substance permit issued pursuant to Section 4836.2.

(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), if the California Veterinary Medical Board, in consultation with the California State Board of Pharmacy, identifies a dangerous drug, as defined in Section 4022, as a drug that has an established pattern of being diverted, the California Veterinary Medical Board may restrict access to that drug by veterinary assistants.

(d)For purposes of this section, the following definitions

apply:

(1)“Controlled substance” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2)“Direct supervision” has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2034 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(3)“Drug” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 11014 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4)“Indirect supervision” has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (f) of Section 2034 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(e)This section shall become operative on the date

Section 4836.2 becomes operative.

§ 4836.2

Repealed and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 9. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)To obtain a veterinary assistant controlled substance permit in California, an individual shall satisfy the following requirements:

(1)Complete and submit an application furnished by the board.

(2)Pay the applicable fees specified in Section 4905.

(3)Pursuant to Section 144, submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check and undergoing a state and federal criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code. The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal

response to the board pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

(b)The applicant shall disclose each state, Canadian province, or United States territory in which the applicant currently holds or has ever held a license, registration, certificate, or permit to practice veterinary medicine. License verification, including any disciplinary or enforcement history, shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from each state, Canadian province, or United States territory in which the applicant has identified that the applicant holds or has ever held a license to practice veterinary medicine.

(c)A veterinary assistant controlled substance permit application shall be subject to denial pursuant to Sections 480 and 4883.

§ 4836.4

Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 515, Sec. 28. (SB 304) Effective January 1, 2014. Pursuant to subd. (e), this section became operative on July 1, 2015, the operative date of Section 4836.2. Note: Section 4836.2 first became operative on July 1, 2015, in its form as amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 395.

(a)Every person who has been issued a veterinary assistant controlled substance permit by the board pursuant to Section 4836.2 who changes his or her mailing or employer address shall notify the board of his or her new mailing or employer address within 30 days of the change. The board shall not renew the permit of any person who fails to comply with this section unless the person pays the penalty fee prescribed in Section 4842.5. An applicant for the renewal of a permit shall specify in his or her application whether he or she has changed his or her mailing or employer address and the board may accept that statement as evidence of the fact.

(b)This section shall become operative on the date Section

4836.2 becomes operative.

§ 4836.5

Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 752, Sec. 2. (AB 1282) Effective January 1, 2022.

(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a registered veterinary technician or a veterinary assistant may collect blood from an animal for the purpose of transferring or selling the blood and blood component products to a licensed veterinarian at a registered premises, under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian when done pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed veterinarian.

(b)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)“Blood and blood component products” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 4920.

(2)“Direct

supervision” has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2034 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(3)“Indirect supervision” has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (f) of Section 2034 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

§ 4836.6

Added by renumbering Section 4836.5 by Stats. 2021, Ch. 752, Sec. 3. (AB 1282) Effective January 1, 2022.

The board shall take action pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 4875) of this chapter against any veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state who permits any registered veterinary technician or veterinary assistant to perform any animal health care services other than those allowed by this article.

§ 4839

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 12. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.

For purposes of this article, “registered veterinary technician” means a person who has met the requirements set forth in Section 4841.5 and is registered by the board.

§ 4839.5

Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 538, Sec. 17. (AB 1980) Effective January 1, 2011.

No person shall use the title “registered veterinary technician” or “veterinary technician,” or any other words, letters, or symbols, including, but not limited to, the abbreviation “R.V.T.,” with the intent to represent that the person is authorized to act as a registered veterinary technician, unless that person meets the requirements of Section 4839.

§ 4840

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 371, Sec. 1. (AB 516) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants are approved to perform animal health care services not otherwise prohibited by law under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state.

(b)(1) Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants may perform animal health care services not otherwise prohibited by law on those animals housed in public or private animal shelters, humane societies, or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to the direct order, written order, or telephonic order of a veterinarian

licensed or authorized to practice in this state.

(2)An order established by a veterinarian pursuant to paragraph (1) may include any of the following information:

(A)Time periods by which an animal is required to be assessed at intake and monitored while in the custody of an agency.

(B)Protocols to address the treatment of common medical conditions encountered in animals.

(C)Protocols for controlling infectious and zoonotic diseases and for preventing environmental contamination.

(D)Protocols for controlling the acute pain of an animal.

(E)Communication requirements between the registered veterinary technician and the supervising veterinarian.

(F)Euthanasia criteria for medically related cases.

(c)Registered veterinary technicians may perform dental care procedures, including tooth extractions, under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state.

(d)Registered veterinary technicians may apply for registration from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration that authorizes the direct purchase of sodium pentobarbital for the performance of euthanasia as provided for in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 4827 without the supervision or authorization of a licensed veterinarian.

(e)Registered veterinary technicians may act as an agent of the supervising veterinarian in establishing the veterinarian-client-patient relationship for the purposes of administering preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 4826.7.

§ 4840.2

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 239, Sec. 8. (AB 1839) Effective January 1, 2013.

Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants shall not perform the following health care services:

(a)Surgery.

(b)Diagnosis and prognosis of animal diseases.

(c)Prescribing of drugs, medicine, and appliances.

§ 4840.5

Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 429, Sec. 11. (SB 547) Effective January 1, 2018.

Under conditions of an emergency, a registered veterinary technician may render such lifesaving aid and treatment as may be prescribed under regulations adopted by the board pursuant to Section 4836. Such emergency aid and treatment if rendered to an animal patient not in the presence of a licensed veterinarian may only be continued under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. “Emergency” for the purpose of this section, means that the animal has been placed in a life-threatening condition where immediate treatment is necessary.

§ 4840.6

Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 60, Sec. 26. Effective July 6, 1995.

Any registered veterinary technician registered in this state who in good faith renders emergency animal health care at the scene of the emergency, or his or her employing veterinarian or agency authorized under Section 4840.9, shall not be liable for any civil damages as the result of acts or omissions by a registered veterinary technician rendering the emergency care. This section shall not grant immunity from civil damages when the registered veterinary technician is grossly negligent.

§ 4840.7

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 239, Sec. 9. (AB 1839) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)A registered veterinary technician who has been examined by the board in the area of radiation safety and techniques may operate radiographic equipment under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

(b)(1) A veterinary assistant who has been trained in the area of radiation safety and techniques may operate radiographic equipment under the direct supervision of a registered veterinary technician or a licensed veterinarian.

(2)The responsible managing licensee of a veterinary premises shall maintain records of the training described in paragraph (1).

A veterinary assistant for whom records of this training do not exist shall not operate radiographic equipment.

(3)The training records described in paragraph (2) shall be made available to the board upon request and at the time of any inspection of the veterinary premises.

§ 4840.9

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 239, Sec. 10. (AB 1839) Effective January 1, 2013.

Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants may be employed by any veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state or by any governmental agency which employs veterinarians. However, the employer must be fully aware of the provisions of this article as stated by regulations adopted by the board pursuant to Section 4836.

§ 4841

Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 60, Sec. 29. Effective July 6, 1995.

Any person performing any of the tasks designated by the board pursuant to Section 4836 and any person representing himself or herself as a registered veterinary technician in this state, shall hold a valid unexpired certificate of registration as provided in this article.

§ 4841.1

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 13. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.

This article shall not apply to students in a California veterinary technology program who perform the job tasks for registered veterinary technicians as part of their educational experience, including students both on and off campus acting under the direct supervision of a California licensed veterinarian, except that those students shall only administer controlled substances and perform drug compounding under the immediate supervision of a registered veterinary technician or California licensed veterinarian. For purposes of this section, “immediate supervision” means supervision by a person who is within audible and visual range of both the animal patient and the person being supervised.

§ 4841.2

Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 571, Sec. 29. (SB 1480) Effective January 1, 2019.

(a)Except as provided in subdivision (b), a graduate of a recognized veterinary college shall not perform animal health care tasks otherwise performed by a registered veterinary technician unless the graduate has obtained licensure or registration as otherwise required under this chapter.

(b)If, on or before January 1, 2020, a graduate of a recognized veterinary college has performed animal health care tasks otherwise performed by a registered veterinary technician, the graduate shall discontinue performing such duties on or after January 1, 2020, unless the graduate is issued a license or registration as otherwise required under this chapter.

§ 4841.4

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 14. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)The board, by means of examination, shall determine the professional qualifications of all applicants who wish to register as veterinary technicians in California. A registration shall not be issued to anyone who has not demonstrated their competency by examination.

(b)The examination for veterinary technicians shall consist of a national licensing examination.

(c)For examination purposes, the board may make contractual arrangements on a sole source basis with organizations furnishing examination material as it may deem desirable and shall be exempt from Section 10115 of the Public Contract Code.

§ 4841.5

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 15. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)To obtain registration as a registered veterinary technician, the applicant shall satisfy the following requirements:

(1)Complete and submit an application upon a form furnished by the board.

(2)Pay the applicable fees specified in Section 4905.

(3)Pursuant to Section 144, submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check and undergo a state and federal criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code. The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the board

pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

(4)Furnish satisfactory evidence of one of the following:

(A)Graduation from, at minimum, a two-year curriculum in veterinary technology, in a college or other postsecondary institution accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In the case of a private postsecondary institution, the institution shall also be approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Proof of graduation shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from the college, other postsecondary institution, or American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).

(B)A combination of education and clinical practice experience, as determined by the board. All education shall be accredited by the AVMA or the

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, or approved by the BPPE.

(C)Graduation from a veterinary college recognized by the board. Proof of graduation shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from the veterinary college or the AAVSB.

(D)Education equivalency certified by the AAVSB’s Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) for Veterinary Technicians. The certificate of education equivalence shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.

(E)Education equivalency certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or PAVE. The certificate of education equivalence shall be confirmed through electronic means or direct submission from ECFVG or

PAVE.

(5)Pass the national licensing examination for veterinary technicians. If the applicant passed the national licensing examination over five years from the date of submitting the veterinary technician registration application, the applicant shall perform one of the following:

(A)Retake and pass the national licensing examination.

(B)Submit proof of having practiced clinical veterinary medicine for a minimum of two years and completed a minimum of 2,500 hours of clinical practice in another state, Canadian province, or United States territory within the three years immediately preceding filing an application for licensure in this state.

(C)Complete the minimum continuing education requirements of Section 4858.2 for the current and preceding

year.

(c)An application for veterinary technician registration shall be subject to denial pursuant to Sections 480 and 4883.

§ 4842

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 195, Sec. 16. (AB 1502) Effective January 1, 2026.

The board may deny a registered veterinary technician application if the applicant has done any of the following:

(a)Committed any act that would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of registration under this chapter.

(b)While unregistered, committed, or aided and abetted the commission of, any act for which a certificate of registration is required by this chapter.

(c)Knowingly made any false statement in the application.

(d)Been convicted of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions and duties of a registered veterinary technician.

(e)Committed any act that resulted in a revocation by another state of the applicant’s license, registration, or other procedure by virtue of which one is licensed or allowed to practice veterinary technology in that state.

§ 4842.2