HOUSE BILL 24-1047
BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) McCormick and Catlin, McLachlan, Amabile,
Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, Clifford, Froelich, Garcia, Hamrick,
Jodeh, Kipp, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Lukens, Marshall, Martinez,
Mauro, Ortiz, Ricks, Rutinel, Snyder, Story, Titone, Winter T., Woodrow,
Young, McCluskie;
also SENATOR(S) Roberts and Simpson, Bridges, Pelton B., Pelton R.,
Danielson, Fields, Ginal, Hansen, Kirkmeyer, Liston, Marchman,
Michaelson Jenet, Priola, Will
.
C
ONCERNING THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS , AND,
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH , DIRECTING THE STATE BOARD OF
VETERINARY MEDICINE TO PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING THE
SUPERVISION OF AND THE DELEGATION OF CERTAIN TASKS TO
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS ,
OR OTHER PERSONNEL BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN AND
ESTABLISHING A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST DESIGNATION
.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly
finds and declares that:
NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
history, or the Session Laws.
________
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes
through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of
the act. (a) In Colorado, there is an increasing need for veterinary care, both
for companion animals and for livestock or production animals;
(b) Licensed veterinarians in Colorado are stretched thin from the
increased demands for veterinary care, especially in rural areas of the state
where clients and patients may have more limited access to veterinary care;
(c) Many veterinary practices in Colorado employ veterinary
technicians or veterinary technician specialists, who are staff that are
educated and trained to perform various veterinary services and are often
underutilized by supervising veterinarians;
(d) Clear guidelines are needed for veterinarians regarding the
veterinary services that may be delegated to veterinary technicians and
veterinary technician specialists to efficiently and effectively utilize the
education, training, and expertise of all veterinary staff and ensure that
Colorado's animals have adequate access to veterinary care; and
(e) Expanding the scope of practice for veterinary technicians and
veterinary technician specialists and authorizing licensed veterinarians to
delegate specific tasks to veterinary technicians and veterinary technician
specialists will allow these veterinary professionals to contribute more to
the delivery of veterinary care.
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-104, amend
(6), (10), (10.5), (13), (21), and (21.5); and add (5.5), (16.3), (16.5), and
(26) as follows:
12-315-104. Definitions. As used in this article 315, unless the
context otherwise requires:
(5.5) "D
ELEGATION" OR "DELEGATE" MEANS A LICENSED
VETERINARIAN
'S ACT OF ENTRUSTING TO AN INDIVIDUAL THE AUTHORITY TO
PERFORM A TASK UNDER THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION BY THE
LICENSED VETERINARIAN AFTER THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN HAS
DETERMINED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS COMPETENT TO PERFORM THE TASK
.
(6) "Direct supervision" means the supervising licensed veterinarian
is readily available on the premises where the patient is being treated
AND
IS ABLE TO SUPERVISE THE TASKS THAT HAVE BEEN DELEGATED TO AN
PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 INDIVIDUAL.
(10) "Immediate supervision" means the supervising licensed
veterinarian and any person being supervised are in direct contact with the
patient IS PHYSICALLY IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA ON THE PREMISES AND
WITHIN AUDIBLE OR VISUAL RANGE OF THE PATIENT AND THE INDIVIDUAL
PERFORMING THE TASKS THAT HAVE BEEN DELEGATED BY THE LICENSED
VETERINARIAN
.
(10.5) "Indirect supervision" means supervision in which
the
supervising licensed veterinarian directs or supervises the authorized
delegated NEED NOT BE ON THE VETERINARY PREMISES BUT :
(a) treatment or collection of diagnostic information of a patient at
veterinary premises without being on the premises but being PROVIDES
EITHER WRITTEN OR VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TASKS THAT HAVE BEEN
DELEGATED TO AN INDIVIDUAL
; AND
(b) IS readily available for communication.
(13) "Patient" means an ANY animal OR GROUP OF ANIMALS that is
examined or treated by a licensed veterinarian and includes herds, flocks,
litters, and other groups of animals.
(16.3) "S
UPERVISING LICENSED VETERINARIAN " MEANS A LICENSED
VETERINARIAN IN THE STATE WHO DELEGATES AND ASSUMES
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VETERINARY CARE PROVIDED TO A PATIENT BY AN
INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED AT THE SAME PHYSICAL PRACTICE LOCATION AND
WORKING OUT OF THE SAME PHYSICAL PREMISES AS THE LICENSED
VETERINARIAN AND WORKING UNDER AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF
SUPERVISION BY THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN
.
(16.5) (a) "S
UPERVISION" MEANS A LICENSED VETERINARIAN 'S
OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING OF ANOTHER INDIVI DUAL
'S ASSISTANCE IN THE
TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AS PART OF THE VETERINARIAN
'S PRACTICE OF
VETERINARY MEDICINE
.
(b) "S
UPERVISION" INCLUDES:
(I) D
IRECT SUPERVISION;
PAGE 3-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (II) IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION; AND
(III) INDIRECT SUPERVISION.
(21) "Veterinary premises" or "premises" means a veterinary office,
hospital, clinic,
BUILDING, MOBILE UNIT, FACILITY, or temporary
OTHER
location where veterinary medicine is being practiced MEDICAL SERVICES
ARE PROVIDED
by or under the direction and supervision of a licensed
veterinarian.
(21.5) "Veterinary professional" means a veterinarian licensed
pursuant to this part 1 and
OR a veterinary technician OR VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
registered pursuant to part 2 of this article 315.
(26) "V
ETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST" MEANS A VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN WHO HAS BEEN AWARDED DESIGNATION FROM
:
(a) A
N ACADEMY RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS IN AMERICA'S COMMITTEE OF VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALITIES OR ITS SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATION
, WHICH
ORGANIZATION IS A RECOGNIZED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
ORGANIZATION
; OR
(b) A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST ORGANIZATION APPROVED BY THE BOARD PURS UANT TO SECTION
12-315-201 (1)(c).
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-105, amend (1)
introductory portion, (1)(j), and (2)(a); and add (1)(r), (1)(s), and (1)(t) as
follows:
12-315-105. License requirements and exceptions - definitions
- rules. (1) A person
AN INDIVIDUAL shall not practice veterinary medicine
in this state if the person INDIVIDUAL is not a licensed veterinarian. A person
AN INDIVIDUAL shall not practice artificial insemination or ova
transplantation of cattle or other animal species in this state except in
accordance with
RULES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO section 12-315-106
(5)(c). A
N INDIVIDUAL NOT LICENSED AS A VETERINARIAN PURSUANT TO
THIS PART
1 SHALL NOT DIAGNOSE, ISSUE PROGNOSES FOR, PRESCRIBE FOR,
OR PERFORM SURGERY ON AN ANIMAL . This article 315 does not prohibit:
PAGE 4-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (j) Any person INDIVIDUAL from performing duties other than
diagnosis, prescription, surgery, or initiating treatment TASKS under the
direction and APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF supervision of BY a licensed
veterinarian who shall be IS responsible for the person's INDIVIDUAL'S
performance IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD RULES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION
12-315-105.5.
(r) A
N INDIVIDUAL ACTING UNDER AT LEAST INDIRECT SUPERVISION
OF A LICENSED VETERINARIAN FROM PROVIDING CARE TO ANIMALS LOCATED
AT AN ANIMAL SHELTER THAT ARE THE PROPERTY OR UNDER THE
STEWARDSHIP OF AN ANIMAL SHELTER IF
:
(I) T
HE INDIVIDUAL IS PERFORMING TASKS IN COMPLIANCE WITH A
WRITTEN OR VERBAL PROTOCOL PROVIDED BY THE SUPERVISING LICENSED
VETERINARIAN
; AND
(II) THE SUPERVISING LICENSED VETERINARIAN HAS DETERMINED
THE INDIVIDUAL HAS RECEIVED SUFFICIENT AND PROPER TRAINING
;
(s) A
N INDIVIDUAL FROM PERFORMING ACCEPTED ANIMAL
HUSBANDRY ON LIVESTOCK
, AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SECTION
35-42-103, IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS AN OWNER OF AN ANIMAL OR IS AN
INDIVIDUAL ACTING UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE OWNER OF THE ANIMAL
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION
(1)(f)(I) OF THIS SECTION; OR
(t) AN INDIVIDUAL FROM PERFORMING TASKS ON LIVESTOCK UNDER
THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED VETERINARIAN AND
:
(I) T
HE SUPERVISING LICENSED VETERINARIAN HAS ESTABLISHED A
VETERINARIAN
-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LIVESTOCK AND
THE OWNER OF THE LIVESTOCK
;
(II) T
HE INDIVIDUAL IS PERFORMING TASKS IN COMPLIANCE WITH
WRITTEN OR VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS OR COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPED BY
THE SUPERVISING LICENSED VETERINARIAN
; AND
(III) THE SUPERVISING LICENSED VETERINARIAN HAS DETERMINED
THE INDIVIDUAL PERFORMING THE TASKS HAS RECEIVED SUFFICIENT AND
PROPER TRAINING
.
PAGE 5-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (2) (a) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(f) of this section, and except
as permitted by subsection (1)(j) of this section, a person who is not a
licensed veterinarian shall not administer, distribute, dispense, or prescribe
prescription drugs. Except as provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section,
a licensed veterinarian must have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship
with the animal and its owner or other caretaker in order to administer,
distribute, dispense, or prescribe prescription drugs to or for an animal. A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OR THE FILLING OF A PRESCRIPTION ORDER TO AN
INDIVIDUAL UNDER AN APPROPRIATE LEVE L OF SUPERVISION DETERMINED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE
315 AND BOARD RULES ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION
12-315-105.5 (4).
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 12-315-105.5 as
follows:
12-315-105.5. Delegation to and supervision of veterinary
technicians, veterinary technician specialists, and other qualified
personnel - rules. (1) A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE TASKS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION AND RULES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
.
(2) A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN SHALL ESTABLISH A
VETERINARIAN
-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP BEFORE THE VETERINARIAN
DELEGATES A TASK TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
, A VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
, OR OTHER QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
(3) (a) W
HEN DETERMINING WHETHER TO DELEGATE A TASK TO A
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
, A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST, OR OTHER
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
, A LICENSED VETERINARIAN SHALL CONSIDER :
(I) T
HE LEVEL OF EDUCATION, SKILLS, TRAINING, LICENSING, AND
EXPERIENCE OF THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
, THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST
, OR OTHER QUALIFIED PERSONNEL;
(II) T
HE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION FOR THE DELEGATED
TASK PURSUANT TO SUBSECTIONS
(4), (6), AND (7) OF THIS SECTION AND, IF
RULES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD
, ANY APPLICABLE RULES
ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION
(4) OF THIS SECTION;
AND
PAGE 6-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (III) WHETHER THE DELEGATION OF THE TASK COMPLIES WITH ALL
APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS
.
(b) (I) I
F A LICENSED VETERINARIAN DELEGATES A TASK TO A
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST, OR OTHER
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND THAT TASK IS COVERED BY RULES ESTABLISHED
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION
(4) OF THIS SECTION OR AN APPLICABLE BOARD
RULE
, THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN MUST PROVIDE SUPERVISION AT LEAST
AT THE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION PRESCRIBED BY RULE
.
(II) I
F A LICENSED VETERINARIAN DELEGATES A TASK TO A
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST, OR OTHER
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND THAT TASK IS NOT COVERED BY RULES
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION
(4) OF THIS SECTION OR AN
APPLICABLE BOARD RULE
, THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE THE
TASK AT AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION
, AS DETERMINED BY THE
LICENSED VETERINARIAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PART
1.
(4) O
N OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025, THE BOARD SHALL ADOPT
RULES REGARDING THE FOLLOWING TASKS THAT A LICENSED VETERINARIAN
MAY DELEGATE TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR A V ETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST AND THE STATED LEVEL OF SUPERVISION TO
PERFORM THOSE TASKS
:
(a) A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE THE FOLLOWING
TASKS TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST WHO IS UNDER THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN
'S IMMEDIATE
SUPERVISION
:
(I) A
SSISTING IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES; AND
(II) THE PLACEMENT OF ABDOMINAL , THORACIC, ESOPHAGOSTOMY,
OR PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY TUBES .
(b) A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE THE FOLLOWING
TASKS TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST WHO IS UNDER AT LEAST DIRECT SUPERVISION BY THE LICENSED
VETERINARIAN
:
(I) D
ENTAL PROCEDURES, INCLUDING, AT A MINIMUM:
PAGE 7-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (A) REMOVING CALCULUS, SOFT DEPOSITS, PLAQUE, AND STAINS;
(B) S
MOOTHING, FILING, AND POLISHING OF TEETH;
(C) S
INGLE ROOT EXTRACTIONS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE SECTIONING
OF THE TOOTH OR SECTIONING OF THE BONE
; AND
(D) SUTURING A GINGIVAL INCISION;
(II) P
LACEMENT OF EPIDURAL AND INTRAOSSEOUS CATHETERS ;
(III) S
UTURING, STAPLING, OR GLUING AN EXISTING SURGICAL SKIN
INCISION
; AND
(IV) TREATMENT OF MINOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS , AS DETERMINED
BY THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN
, IF:
(A) T
HE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST HAS THE TRAINING AND COMPETENCY TO PERFORM THE
TREATMENT
;
(B) T
HE TREATMENT IS PERFORMED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
LICENSED VETERINARIAN OR UNDER PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED WRITTEN
PROTOCOLS
; AND
(C) THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN IS AVAILABLE TO MANAGE THE
CASE IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE PATIENT REQUIRES
CARE BEYOND THE ABILITIES OF THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
.
(c) A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE THE FOLLOWING
TASKS TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST WHO IS UNDER AT LEAST INDIRECT SUPERVISION BY THE
LICENSED VETERINARIAN
:
(I) U
NLESS PROHIBITED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW , THE
ADMINISTRATION AND APPLICATION OF TREATMENTS
, INCLUDING:
(A) P
RESCRIPTION DRUGS;
PAGE 8-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (B) MEDICATIONS;
(C) C
ONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ;
(D) E
NEMAS; AND
(E) BIOLOGICAL IMMUNOLOGICAL AGENTS ;
(II) I
NTRAVENOUS AND INTRA -ARTERIAL CATHETERIZATIONS AND
MAINTENANCE
;
(III) I
MAGING, INCLUDING RADIOGRAPHY , ULTRASONOGRAPHY ,
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY , MAGNETIC RES ONANCE IMAGING , AND
FLUOROSCOPY AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF RADIOPAQUE AGENTS OR
MATERIALS
;
(IV) U
NLESS PROHIBITED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW , THE
COLLECTION OF
:
(A) B
LOOD;
(B) C
ELLULAR OR MICROBIOLOGICAL SAMPLES THROUGH SKIN
SCRAPINGS
, IMPRESSIONS, OR OTHER NONSURGICAL METHODS ; AND
(C) URINE THROUGH BLADDER EXPRESSION , UNOBSTRUCTED
CATHETERIZATION
, CYSTOCENTESIS, OR INSERTION OF AN INDWELLING
URINARY CATHETER
;
(V) M
ONITORING OF:
(A) A
N ELECTROCARDIOGRAM , OR "EKG";
(B) B
LOOD PRESSURE; AND
(C) CARBON DIOXIDE AND BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION ;
(VI) C
LINICAL LABORATORY TEST PROCEDURES ;
(VII) H
ANDLING AND DISPOSING OF BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE
MATERIALS
;
PAGE 9-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (VIII) IMPLANTATION OF A SUBCUTANEOUS MICROCHIP ;
(IX) A
DMINISTRATION OF A THERAPEUTIC LASER , EXCEPT FOR THE
USE OF SURGICAL LASERS
;
(X) A
PPLICATION OF ANIMAL REHABILITATION THERAPIES ;
(XI) O
CULAR TONOMETRY, SCHIRMER TEAR TESTS, OR FLUORESCEIN
STAIN APPLICATION
;
(XII) S
UTURE AND STAPLE REMOVAL ;
(XIII) A
PPLICATION OF SPLINTS AND SLINGS FOR THE TEMPORARY
IMMOBILIZATION OF FRACTURES
;
(XIV) A
DMINISTRATION OF CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIATION
THERAPY
;
(XV) R
EPRODUCTIVE ULTRASOUND AND SEMEN EVALUATION ;
(XVI) B
LOOD OR BLOOD COMPONENT COLLECTION , PREPARATION,
AND ADMINISTRATION FOR TRANSFUSION OR BLOOD BANKING PURPOSES ;
(XVII) P
LACEMENT OF GASTRIC , NASOGASTRIC , OR
NASOESOPHAGEAL TUBES
;
(XVIII) F
LUID ASPIRATION FROM A BODY CAVITY OR ORGAN ;
(XIX) M
INOR WOUND MANAGEMENT ;
(XX) P
LACEMENT OF NASAL CATHETERS ; AND
(XXI) EMERGENCY PATIENT CARE, SUCH AS:
(A) A
PPLICATION OF TOURNIQUETS OR PRESSURE PROCEDURES TO
CONTROL HEMORRHAGE
;
(B) A
PPLICATION OF APPROPRIATE WOUND DRESSINGS ;
(C) R
ESUSCITATIVE OXYGEN PROCEDURES ;
PAGE 10-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (D) ANTI-SEIZURE TREATMENT;
(E) S
UPPORTIVE TREATMENT IN HEAT PROSTRATION CASES ;
(F) A
DMINISTRATION OF A DRUG , CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE , OR
PARENTERAL FLUIDS TO MANAGE AND CONTROL PAIN
, PREVENT FURTHER
INJURY
, PREVENT OR CONTROL SHOCK , OR PREVENT THE SUFFERING OF AN
ANIMAL
, UP TO AND INCLUDING EUTHANASIA ; AND
(G) INITIATION AND PERFORMANCE OF CARDIOPULMONARY
RESUSCITATION
, OR "CPR", INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
AND DEFIBRILLATION
, AND IMMEDIATE POST-RESUSCITATION CARE.
(5) (a) I
N PROMULGATING RULES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
RELATED TO THE DELEGATION OF TASKS AND SUPERVISION OF VETERINARY
PROFESSIONALS OR OTHER PERSONNEL
, THE BOARD SHALL:
(I) C
ONSULT WITH LICENSED VETERINARIANS , REGISTERED
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS, CLIENTS,
AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS , AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD; AND
(II) PERMIT A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST TO PERFORM ANY
TASK UNDER AT LEAST INDIRECT SUPERVISION BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION
(6) OF THIS SECTION.
(b) T
HE BOARD SHALL REVIEW AND UPDATE THE RULES
PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AS NECESSARY TO ACCOUNT FOR
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
.
(6) A
LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE ANY TASK TO A
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST WHO IS UNDER AT LEAST INDIRECT
SUPERVISION BY THE LICENSED VETERINARIAN IF THE LICENSED
VETERINARIAN DETERMINES THE TASK IS WITHIN THE VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
'S TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCY AND IS
OTHERWISE NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ARTICLE
315, AN APPLICABLE
BOARD RULE
, OR ANY OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW .
(7) N
OTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE 315, AN
APPLICABLE BOARD RULE
, OR ANY OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW , A
PAGE 11-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY DELEGATE A TASK TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS
NOT A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST IF
THE VETERINARIAN DETERMINES THAT THE TASK IS WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL
'S
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE AND THE INDIVIDUAL IS UNDER THE
VETERINARIAN
'S DIRECT OR IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION ; EXCEPT THAT THE
TREATMENT OF MINOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS MAY ONLY BE DELEGATED TO
A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION
(4)(b)(IV) OF THIS SECTION.
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-106, amend
(5)(a) and (5)(b) as follows:
12-315-106. Board of veterinary medicine - creation - powers -
rules. (5) The board has the power to:
(a) Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of
applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine, or
for registration
as a veterinary technician,
OR FOR DESIGNATION AS A VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
in this state;
(b) Pursuant to section 12-20-404, issue, renew, deny, suspend, or
revoke licenses to practice veterinary medicine, or
registrations of
veterinary technicians,
AND DESIGNATIONS OF REGISTERED VETERINARY
TECHNICIANS AS VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS
in the state or
otherwise discipline or fine, or both, licensees or registrants consistent with
this article 315 and the rules adopted by the board under this article 315;
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-110, amend
(3)(a)(II) as follows:
12-315-110. License renewal - waiver - rules - continuing
education. (3) (a) (II) The board-approved continuing educational program
must:
(A) Require two hours of jurisprudence on the "Colorado Veterinary
Practice Act" biennially; and
(B) Permit a licensee to take up to sixteen hours of continuing
education courses in nonbiomedical topics, which topics may include client
communication, management, leadership, and other topics that support
PAGE 12-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 veterinary practice and a highly functional veterinary workforce; AND
(C) REQUIRE TWO HOURS EACH LICENSING PERIOD ON TOPICS
RELATED TO THE DELEGATION OF TASKS AND THE SUPERVISION OF
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS , AND
OTHER PERSONNEL
.
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-112, amend
(1)(ee) as follows:
12-315-112. Discipline of licensees. (1) Upon receipt of a signed
complaint by a complainant or upon its own motion, the board may proceed
to a hearing in accordance with section 12-315-113. After a hearing, and by
a concurrence of a majority of members, the board may take disciplinary or
other action as authorized in section 12-20-404 against an applicant for a
license or a licensed veterinarian for any of the following reasons:
(ee) Failure to properly supervise a veterinary student, a veterinary
student preceptor, a veterinary technician, or
A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST
, other veterinary staff, OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
PERFORMING TASKS UNDER A LICENSED VETERINARIAN
'S SUPERVISION;
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-201, amend (1)
introductory portion and (2); and add (1)(c), (1)(d), and (1.5) as follows:
12-315-201. Additional board duties - rules - repeal. (1) In
addition to any other duties specified in this part 2 or section 12-315-106
AND SECTIONS 12-315-105.5 AND 12-315-106, the board shall:
(c) A
PPROVE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF
DESIGNATING VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS IN THIS STATE
; AND
(d) ADOPT ANY RULES NECESSARY FOR THE DELEGATION OF
VETERINARY TASKS TO VETERINARY TECHNICIANS AND VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS AND FOR THE SUPERVISION OF THOSE DELEGATED
TASKS BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN
.
(1.5) T
HE BOARD SHALL NOT:
PAGE 13-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (a) CHARGE A FEE IN ADDITION TO THE REGISTRATION FEE CHARGED
PURSUANT TO SECTION
12-315-123 FOR THE DESIGNATION OF VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS
; OR
(b) INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE REGISTRATION FEE CHARGED
PURSUANT TO SECTION
12-315-123 FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS WHO
SEEK VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST DESIGNATION TO AN AMOUNT
THAT IS MORE THAN THE REGISTRATION FEE THAT IS REQUIRED OF OTHER
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
.
(2) If the board does not approve a credentialing organization for
purposes of credentialing veterinary technicians
OR VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALISTS
in this state pursuant to subsection (1)(a) OR (1)(c)
of this section because there is no credentialing organization that meets the
requirements set forth in subsections (1)(a)(I) to (1)(a)(IV)
OR SUBSECTION
(1)(c) of this section or for any other reason, the board shall establish by
rule and administer a credentialing process for veterinary technician
registration
OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST DESI GNATION pursuant
to this part 2.
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-203, add (4.5)
as follows:
12-315-203. Application for veterinary technician registration
- qualifications - provisional registration - fee - veterinary technician
specialist designation - rules - repeal. (4.5) (a) O
N AND AFTER JANUARY
1, 2026, A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN MAY APPLY TO THE BOARD FOR
DESIGNATION AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST AS PART OF AN
APPLICATION FOR A NEW OR A RENEWAL REGISTRATION AS A VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN
.
(b) T
O OBTAIN A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST DESIGNATION ,
AN APPLICANT MUST DEMONSTRATE TO THE BOARD 'S SATISFACTION, IN THE
FORM AND MANNER SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD BY RULE
, THAT THE APPLICANT
HAS BEEN AWARDED A SPECIALIST DESIGNATION OR CERTIFICATION FROM
:
(I) A
N ACADEMY RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS IN AMERICA'S COMMITTEE OF VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALITIES
, OR ITS SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATION; OR
PAGE 14-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 (II) AN ORGANIZATION THAT THE BOARD HAS DETERMINED BY RULE
TO HAVE EQUIVALENT TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
PURSUANT TO SECTION
12-315-201 (1)(c).
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-315-204
as follows:
12-315-204. Use of title restricted. (1) On and after January 1,
2024, only a person AN INDIVIDUAL who is registered pursuant to this part
2 SECTION 12-315-203 may use the title "veterinary technician" or
"registered veterinary technician" or the initials "VT" or "RVT".
(2) O
N AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2026, ONLY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS
A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST DESIGNATION PURSUANT TO SECTION
12-315-203 (4.5) MAY USE THE TITLE "VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST"
OR "REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST " OR THE INITIALS
"VTS" OR "RVTS".
SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-206, amend
(3) as follows:
12-315-206. Expiration, renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation
of a registration - inactive status - rules - definition. (3) (a) The board
shall not renew, reinstate, or reactivate a registration issued pursuant to
section 12-315-203 (3) unless the veterinary technician demonstrates to the
board's satisfaction that the veterinary technician maintains active
credentialing with the credentialing organization. Subject to board rule, the
evidence may be provided by an attestation on the registration application.
(b) T
HE BOARD SHALL NOT RENEW A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN 'S
DESIGNATION AS A SPECIALIST OBTAINED PURSUANT TO SECTION
12-315-203
(4.5)
UNLESS THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST DEMONSTRATES TO
THE BOARD
'S SATISFACTION THAT THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
HAS SATISFIED THE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATION THAT ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN AN
ACTIVE DESIGNATION OR CERTIFICATION AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST
.
SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-207, amend
(1) introductory portion, (1)(e), and (1)(n) as follows:
PAGE 15-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 12-315-207. Discipline of a registered veterinary technician -
repeal. (1) Upon receipt of a signed complaint by a complainant or upon
its own motion, the board may proceed to a hearing in accordance with
section 12-315-113. After a hearing, and by a concurrence of a majority of
members, the board may take disciplinary action as authorized in section
12-20-404 against an applicant for a registration, or
a registered veterinary
technician,
OR A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST for any of the
following reasons:
(e) Unprofessional or unethical conduct or engaging in practices that
are in violation of generally accepted standards for practice as a veterinary
technician
OR AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST or prescribed by
the rules of the board;
(n) Practicing or performing services beyond a registrant's
THE scope
of competence
OF A REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OR A
DESIGNATED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST OR WITHOUT THE
APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN
;
SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-315-209
as follows:
12-315-209. Duties of licensed veterinarian - supervision of
veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists - rules.
(1) A veterinary technician
OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST is
authorized to provide care to animals under the direction and
APPROPRIATE
LEVEL OF
supervision, as defined
DETERMINED by the board by rule of
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12-315-105.5 (4) OR (6), BY a licensed veterinarian
who is responsible for the veterinary technician's
OR VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
'S performance. The licensed veterinarian directing
DELEGATING TASKS TO and supervising the veterinary technician OR
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST
is responsible for the care of the
animal.
(2) Nothing in this part 2 prohibits a person who is not a veterinary
technician
OR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST pursuant to this part 2
from performing tasks relating to animal care under the direction and
DIRECT OR IMMEDIATE supervision of a licensed veterinarian who is
responsible for the care of the animal.
PAGE 16-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 SECTION 14. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-315-210
as follows:
12-315-210. Unauthorized practice - penalties. A person who
practices or offers or attempts to practice as a veterinary technician without
an active registration issued under this part 2
OR AS A VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST WITHOUT AN ACTIVE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALIST DESIGNATION UNDER THIS PART
2 is subject to penalties pursuant
to section 12-20-407 (1)(a).
SECTION 15. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
PAGE 17-HOUSE BILL 24-1047 November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official
declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
____________________________ ____________________________
Julie McCluskie Steve Fenberg
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
____________________________ ____________________________
Robin Jones Cindi L. Markwell
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
APPROVED________________________________________
(Date and Time)
_________________________________________
Jared S. Polis
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
PAGE 18-HOUSE BILL 24-1047