Minnesota Legislature
SF 1522
as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/12/2024 03:48pm
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to veterinary medicine; regulating veterinary technicians, the practice of
veterinary technology, and unlicensed veterinary employees; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2022, sections 156.001, by adding subdivisions; 156.07; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 156.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end
new text begin Direct supervision. new text end
new text begin
"Direct supervision" means:
new text end
new text begin
(1) when a supervising veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician is in the immediate
area and within audible or visual range of an animal and the unlicensed veterinary employee
treating the animal;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the supervising veterinarian has met the requirements of a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship under section 156.16, subdivision 12; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) the supervising veterinarian assumes responsibility for the professional care given
to an animal by a person working under the veterinarian's direction.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end
new text begin Licensed veterinary technician. new text end
new text begin
"Licensed veterinary technician" means a
person licensed by the board under section 156.077.
new text end
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
new text begin Subd. 10b. new text end
new text begin Remote supervision. new text end
new text begin
"Remote supervision" means:
new text end
new text begin
(1) a veterinarian is not on the premises but is acquainted with the keeping and care of
an animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or medically appropriate and timely
visits to the premises where the animal is kept;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the veterinarian has given written or oral instructions to a licensed veterinary
technician for ongoing care of an animal and is available by telephone or other form of
immediate communication; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) the employee treating the animal timely enters into the animal's medical record
documentation of the treatment provided, and the documentation is reviewed by the
veterinarian.
new text end
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
new text begin Subd. 12. new text end
new text begin Veterinary technology. new text end
new text begin
"Veterinary technology" means the science and
practice of providing professional support to veterinarians, including the direct supervision
of unlicensed veterinary employees. Veterinary technology does not include veterinary
diagnosis, prognosis, surgery, or medication prescription.
new text end
Sec. 5.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 156.07, is amended to read:
156.07 LICENSE RENEWAL.
Persons licensed under this chapter shall conspicuously display their license in their
principal place of business.
Persons now deleted text begin qualified to practice veterinary medicinedeleted text end new text begin licensednew text end in this state, or who shall
hereafter be licensed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine deleted text begin to engage in the practicedeleted text end new text begin as
veterinarians or veterinary techniciansnew text end , shall periodically renew their license in a manner
prescribed by the board. The board shall establish license renewal fees and continuing
education requirements. The board may establish, by rule, an inactive license category, at
a lower fee, for licensees not actively engaged in the practice of veterinary medicinenew text begin or
veterinary technologynew text end within the state of Minnesota. The board may assess a charge for
delinquent payment of a renewal fee.
Any person who is licensed to practice veterinary medicinenew text begin or veterinary technologynew text end in
this state pursuant to this chapter, shall be entitled to receive a license to continue to practice
upon making application to the board and complying with the terms of this section and rules
of the board.
Sec. 6.
new text begin
[156.076] DIRECT SUPERVISION; UNLICENSED VETERINARY
EMPLOYEES.
new text end
new text begin
(a) An unlicensed veterinary employee may only administer medication or render
auxiliary or supporting assistance under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian or
licensed veterinary technician.
new text end
new text begin
(b) This section does not prohibit:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the performance of generalized nursing tasks ordered by the veterinarian and
performed by an unlicensed employee on inpatient animals during the hours when a
veterinarian is not on the premises; or
new text end
new text begin
(2) under emergency conditions, an unlicensed employee from rendering lifesaving aid
and treatment to an animal in the absence of a veterinarian if the animal is in a life-threatening
condition and requires immediate treatment to sustain life or prevent further injury.
new text end
Sec. 7.
new text begin
[156.077] LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS.
new text end
new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Licensure; practice. new text end
new text begin
(a) The board shall issue a license to practice as a
veterinary technician to an applicant who satisfies the requirements in this section and those
imposed by the board in rule. A licensed veterinary technician may practice veterinary
technology. A person may not use the title "veterinary technician" or the abbreviation "LVT"
unless licensed by the board.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The board may adopt by rule additional licensure requirements or definitions for
veterinary technician titles.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Applicants; qualifications. new text end
new text begin
Application for a license to practice veterinary
technology in this state shall be made to the board on a form furnished by the board and
accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is at least 18 years of
age, is of good moral character, and has met the following requirements:
new text end
new text begin
(1) graduated from a veterinary technology program accredited or approved by the
American Veterinary Medical Association or Canadian Veterinary Medical Association;
new text end
new text begin
(2) received a passing score for the Veterinary Technician National Examination;
new text end
new text begin
(3) received a passing score for the Minnesota Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence
Examination; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) completed a criminal background check.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Required with application. new text end
new text begin
A completed application must contain the following
information and material:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the application fee set by the board, which is not refundable if permission to take the
jurisprudence examination is denied for good cause;
new text end
new text begin
(2) proof of graduation from a veterinary technology program accredited or approved
by the American Veterinary Medical Association or Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association;
new text end
new text begin
(3) affidavits from at least two licensed veterinarians and three adults who are not related
to the applicant that establish how long, when, and under what circumstances the references
have known the applicant and any other facts that may enable the board to determine the
applicant's qualifications; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) if the applicant has served in the armed forces, a copy of the applicant's discharge
papers.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Temporary alternative qualifications. new text end
new text begin
(a) The board shall consider an
application for licensure submitted by a person before July 1, 2030, if the person provides
evidence satisfactory to the board that the person:
new text end
new text begin
(1) is a certified veterinary technician in good standing with the Minnesota Veterinary
Medical Association; or
new text end
new text begin
(2) has at least 4,160 hours actively engaged in the practice of veterinary technology
within the previous five years.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Each applicant under this subdivision must also submit to the board affidavits from
at least two licensed veterinarians and three adults who are not related to the applicant that
establish how long, when, and under what circumstances the references have known the
applicant and any other facts that may enable the board to determine the applicant's
qualifications.
new text end
Sec. 8.
new text begin
[156.078] NONRESIDENTS; LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS.
new text end
new text begin
A credentialed veterinary technician duly admitted to practice in any state,
commonwealth, territory, or district of the United States or province of Canada that desires
permission to practice veterinary technology in this state shall submit an application to the
board on a form furnished by the board. The board shall review an application for transfer
if the applicant submits:
new text end
new text begin
(1) a copy of a diploma from an accredited or approved college of veterinary technology
or certification from the dean, registrar, or secretary of an accredited or approved college
of veterinary technology or a certificate of satisfactory completion of the PAVE program;
new text end
new text begin
(2) if requesting waiver of examination, evidence of meeting licensure requirements in
the state of the applicant's original licensure;
new text end
new text begin
(3) affidavits of two licensed practicing doctors of veterinary medicine or veterinary
technicians residing in the United States or Canadian licensing jurisdiction in which the
applicant is or was most recently practicing, attesting that they are well acquainted with the
applicant, that the applicant is a person of good moral character, and that the applicant has
been actively engaged in practicing or teaching in such jurisdiction;
new text end
new text begin
(4) a certificate from the agency that regulates the conduct of practice of veterinary
technology in the jurisdiction in which the applicant is or was most recently practicing,
stating that the applicant is in good standing and is not the subject of disciplinary action or
pending disciplinary action;
new text end
new text begin
(5) a certificate from all other jurisdictions in which the applicant holds a currently active
license or held a license within the past ten years, stating that the applicant is and was in
good standing and has not been subject to disciplinary action;
new text end
new text begin
(6) in lieu of the certificates in clauses (4) and (5), certification from the Veterinary
Information Verification Agency that the applicant's licensure is in good standing;
new text end
new text begin
(7) a fee as set by the board in form of check or money order payable to the board, no
part of which shall be refunded should the application be denied;
new text end
new text begin
(8) score reports on previously taken national examinations in veterinary technology,
certified by the Veterinary Information Verification Agency or evidence of employment as
a veterinary technician for at least three years;
new text end
new text begin
(9) proof that the applicant received a passing score for the Minnesota Veterinary
Technician Jurisprudence Examination; and
new text end
new text begin
(10) proof of a completed criminal background check.
new text end
Sec. 9. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end
new text begin
This act is effective July 1, 2025.
new text end