WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 487
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Chapter 487
(House Bill 1097)
AN ACT concerning
State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Veterinary Technicians and
Veterinary Assistants
FOR the purpose of authorizing a veterinary assistant to perform certain tasks under the
immediate or direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner or veterinary technician;
authorizing a veterinary technician to perform certain procedures, including certain
emergency procedures and euthanasia, under certain circumstances; requiring the
State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to develop by regulation a certain
alternative pathway for employed veterinary assistants to become veterinary
technicians; and generally relating to the State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners and veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Agriculture
Section 2–301(a), (b), and (i)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Agriculture
Section 2–301(c), (g), and (j)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY adding to
Article – Agriculture
Section 2–301(c–1), (c–2), and (h–1) and 2–309.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Agriculture
2–301.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Board” means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
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(c) “Direct supervision” means that [a] THE SUPERVISING veterinarian WHO IS
licensed and registered in the State [is in the immediate vicinity where veterinary medicine
is being performed and is actively engaged in the supervision of the practice of veterinary
medicine]:
(1) IS ON THE PREMISES OF THE ANIMAL TREATMENT FACILITY;
(2) IS AVAILABLE ON AN IM MEDIATE BASIS; AND
(3) HAS GIVEN WRITTEN OR ORAL INSTRUCTIONS FO R TREATMENT
OF THE ANIMAL PATIEN TS INVOLVED.
(C–1) “IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION ” MEANS THE SUPERVISIN G VETERINARIAN
WHO IS LICENSED AND REGISTERED IN THE STATE IS IN THE IMMEDIATE ARE A AND
WITHIN AUDIBLE AND V ISUAL RANGE OF THE A NIMAL PATIENT AND TH E PERSON
TREATING THE PATIENT .
(C–2) “INDIRECT SUPERVISION ” MEANS THE SUPERVISIN G VETERINARIAN
WHO IS LICENSED AND REGISTERED IN THE STATE:
(1) IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE IN THE SAME FACILITY OR IN CLOSE
PROXIMITY TO THE IND IVIDUAL BEING SUPERV ISED; AND
(2) (I) HAS GIVEN WRITTEN OR ORAL INSTRUCTIONS FO R
TREATMENT OF THE ANI MAL PATIENTS PATIENT INVOLVED;
(II) IS AVAILABLE TO PROVI DE SUPERVISION BY EL ECTRONIC
OR TELEPHONIC MEANS ; AND
(III) HAS ARRANGED FOR TELE PHONIC CONSULTATION WITH A
LICENSED VETERINARIA N, IF NECESSARY.
(g) [The term “practice] “PRACTICE of veterinary medicine” does not include or
apply to:
(1) Any person practicing veterinary medicine in the performance of civil
or military official duties in the service of the United States or of the State;
(2) Experimentation and scientific research of biological chemists or
technicians engaged in the study and development of methods and techniques, directly or
indirectly related or applicable to the problems of the practice of veterinary medicine;
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(3) A person who advises with respect to or performs acts which the Board,
by rule or regulation, has prescribed as accepted management practices in connection with
livestock production;
(4) A physician licensed to practice medicine in the State or to his assistant
while engaged in educational research;
(5) A person administering to the ills and injuries of his own animals if
they otherwise comply with all laws, rules and regulations relative to the use of medicines
and biologics;
(6) A farrier or a person actively engaged in the art or profession of
horseshoeing as long as his actions are limited to the art of horseshoeing or trimming and
maintaining horse hooves;
(7) Any nurse, attendant, technician, intern, or other employee of a
licensed and registered veterinarian when administering medication or rendering auxiliary
or supporting assistance under the responsible direct supervision of a licensed and
registered veterinarian;
(8) A person who floats (files) equine teeth or removes caps;
(9) A person who scales or cleans animal teeth;
(10) A [registered] veterinary technician when performing a procedure
[under the responsible direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner as provided by
regulations adopted by the Board] IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–309.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE ;
(11) A person practicing acupuncture in accordance with the principles of
oriental medical theories if the person:
(i) Is licensed under Title 1A of the Health Occupations Article;
(ii) Is certified as an animal acupuncturist by the Board of
Acupuncture;
(iii) Practices only acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion;
(iv) Cooperates and consults with a veterinary practitioner by:
1. Beginning acupuncture treatment on an animal only if the
animal has been seen by a veterinary practitioner within the previous 14 days;
2. Adhering to the terms and conditions of treatment decided
by the veterinary practitioner, including the degree of communication and collaboration
between the veterinary practitioner and the person practicing acupuncture; Ch. 487 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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3. Reporting to the veterinary practitioner at the end of
treatment or at monthly intervals, at the discretion of the veterinary practitioner; and
4. Not working on an animal for which the person has not
been appropriately trained, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board of
Acupuncture; and
(v) Has successfully completed a specialty training program in
animal acupuncture that:
1. Is approved by the Board of Acupuncture;
2. Is offered by a school holding nationally recognized
accreditation;
3. Consists of at least 135 hours; and
4. Enables the person to:
A. Design effective treatments of animals based on
traditional acupuncture theories and principles, including appropriate knowledge of
functional animal anatomy and physiology;
B. Handle and restrain animals to the extent appropriate in
the practice of acupuncture;
C. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of animal diseases and
zoonoses that would require the immediate attention of a veterinary practitioner; and
D. Communicate effectively with a veterinary practitioner;
(12) A veterinarian licensed in another jurisdiction while consulting with a
veterinary practitioner in this State; or
(13) A student of veterinary medicine practicing veterinary medicine who
has successfully completed 3 years of veterinary education at an institution approved by
the Board and who works under the responsible direct supervision, as defined by the Board,
of a veterinary practitioner.
(H–1) “VETERINARY ASSISTANT ” MEANS A PERSON WHO :
(1) AIDS A VETERINARIAN O R VETERINARY TECHNIC IAN IN PATIENT
CARE; AND
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(2) IS NOT QUALIFIED AS A CREDE NTIALED REGISTERED WITH THE
BOARD AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIA N.
(i) “Veterinary practitioner” means a licensed and registered veterinarian
engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine.
(j) (1) “Veterinary technician” means a person who [is registered with the
Board as a veterinary technician]:
(I) IS TRAINED THROUGH AN AMERICAN VETERINARY
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ACCREDITE D PROGRAM AND ASSIST S A VETERINARIAN
WITH DIVERSE MEDICAL TASKS; AND
(II) 1. A. IS A GRADUATE OF AN AMERICAN VETERINARY
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ACCREDITE D VETERINARY TECHNOL OGY OR VETERINARY
NURSING PROGRAM ;
B. HAS PASSED THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
NATIONAL EXAM; AND
C. IS CREDENTIALED AS HA VING THE APPROPRIATE
TRAINING AND EXPERIE NCE BY A STATE GOVER NMENT OR AN ORGANIZA TION
RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VETERINARY TECHNICIANS IN
AMERICA TO ISSUE THE CREDENTIAL; OR
2. BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2027, MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS UNDER AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH
REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD.
(2) “VETERINARY TECHNICIAN ” INCLUDES A VETERINAR Y NURSE.
2–309.1.
(A) A VETERINARY ASSISTANT MAY PERFORM THE FOLL OWING TASKS
UNDER THE DIRECT SUP ERVISION OF A VETERI NARY PRACTITIONER OR
VETERINARY TECHNICIA N UNDER THE DIRECT SUP ERVISION OF A VETERI NARY
PRACTITIONER :
(1) OBTAINING AND MONITOR ING VITALS ON A NONA NESTHETIZED
PATIENT;
(2) RADIOGRAPHS ;
(3) DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS ; Ch. 487 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(4) NAIL TRIMS;
(5) EDUCATING ON BASIC TO PICS;
(6) ADMINISTERING MEDICAT IONS;
(7) HUSBANDRY;
(8) ANESTHESIA MONITORING ;
(9) (8) COLLECTING URINE BLOOD, URINE, AND FECAL SAMPLES;
(10) (9) ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES ;
(11) (10) SETUP FOR SURGERY AND OTHER PROCEDURES ;
(12) (11) LOW–STRESS HANDLING AND RESTRAINT;
(13) (12) MICROCHIP INSERTION ; AND
(14) (13) ANY OTHER SKILL THAT IS NONINVASIVE, AS DEFINED BY
THE BOARD, AND WITHIN THE VETER INARY ASSISTANT ’S SKILLS AS DETERMIN ED BY
THE SUPERVISING VETE RINARY PRACTITIONER .
(B) A VETERINARY ASSISTANT MAY PERFORM THE FOLL OWING TASKS
UNDER THE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION OF A VET ERINARY PRACTITIONER OR
VETERINARY TECHNICIA N:
(1) SET UP OF ANESTHESIA ; AND
(2) ANESTHESIA MONITORING .
(C) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIONS (C) AND (D) SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS
SECTION, A VETERINARY TECHNIC IAN MAY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING
PROCEDURES UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION O F A VETERINARY PRACT ITIONER:
(1) INDUCING ANESTHESIA B Y INTRAMUSCULAR INJE CTION,
INHALATION, OR INTRAVENOUS INJEC TION;
(2) SIMPLE DENTAL EXTRACT IONS OF LOOSE TEETH THAT DO NOT
INVOLVE FLAPS OR TOO TH SECTIONING ;
(3) BASIC SUTURING SKILLS , INCLUDING: WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 487
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(I) SUTURING OF EXISTING SURGICAL SK IN OR GINGIVAL
INCISIONS; AND
(II) SUTURE AND STAPLE REM OVAL;
(4) ACCESSING A SMALL WOR KING STOCK OF SCHEDULE II DRUGS
UNDER SEPARATE LOCK AND FILLING PRESCRIP TIONS;
(5) CYTOLOGY;
(6) ADMINISTERING VACCINE S, EXCLUDING RAB IES VACCINES
UNLESS OTHERWISE AUT HORIZED BY LAW ;
(7) PHLEBOTOMY , BLOOD TYPING , AND MONITORING BLOOD
PRODUCT TRANSFUSION ;
(8) URINARY AND INTRAVENO US CATHETER CARE ;
(9) CYSTOCENTESIS ;
(10) GASTRIC AND TRACHEAL INTUBATION;
(11) MEDICATION AND FLUID THERAPY CA LCULATIONS;
(12) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESU SCITATION;
(13) OPHTHALMOLOGICAL TEST ING;
(14) FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATES ; AND
(15) ANY OTHER PROCEDURE A UTHORIZED BY REGULAT IONS
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD.
(C) (D) A VETERINARY TECHNICIA N MAY PERFORM A PROC EDURE LISTED
UNDER SUBSECTION (B) (1) THROUGH (15) (A)(1) THROUGH (13) OF THIS SECTION
UNDER THE INDIRECT S UPERVISION OF A VETE RINARY PRACTITIONER IF THE
VETERINARY PRACTITIO NER DETERMINES THE V ETERINARY TECHNICIAN IS
QUALIFIED TO PERFORM THE PROCEDURE .
(D) (E) A VETERINARY TECHNICIA N MAY NOT:
(1) MAKE ANY DIAGNOSIS OR PROGNOSIS;
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(2) PRESCRIBE ANY TREATME NTS, DRUGS, MEDICATIONS , OR
APPLIANCES; OR
(3) PERFORM SURGERY .
(E) (F) UNDER EMERGENCY CONDI TIONS ONLY , A VETERINARY
TECHNICIAN MAY PERFO RM THE FOLLOWING PRO CEDURES BEFORE A VET ERINARY
PRACTITIONER ’S INITIAL EXAMINATIO N OF AN ANIMAL:
(1) LIFE SUPPORT CARE , INCLUDING BASIC AND ADVANCED
CARDIOPULMONARY RESU SCITATION; AND
(2) ANY OTHER PROCEDURE A UTHORIZED BY REGULAT IONS
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD.
(F) (G) (1) AT THE DISCRETION OF THE VETERINARY PRACT ITIONER, A
VETERINARY TECHNICIA N EMPLOYED AT AN ANI MAL EMERGENCY HOSPIT AL, AS
DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD DEFINED IN REGULATIO NS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD,
MAY PERFORM EUTHANAS IA ON AN ANIMAL IF T HE ANIMAL IS UNABLE TO BE SAVED
BY SUPPORTIVE CARE , FIRST AID, OR LIFE SUPPORT MEAS URES.
(2) A VETERINARY TECHNICIA N WHO WORKS IN OR FO R AN ANIMAL
SHELTER, AS DEFINED IN § 2–1701 OF THIS TITLE, MAY PERFORM EUTHANAS IA ON
AN ANIMAL AT THE ANI MAL SHELTER .
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:
(a) In this section, “veterinary technician” has the meaning stated under § 2–301
of the Agriculture Article, as enacted under Section 1 of this Act.
(b) Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the State Board of Veterinary
Medical Examiners shall develop by regulation an alternative pathway for currently
employed veterinary assistants to become veterinary technicians.
(c) (1) The regulations adopted under subsection (b) of this section shall
require:
(i) a recommendation from a practicing veterinary practitioner in
the State who has employed the veterinary assistant for at least 2 years;
(ii) appropriate assessment, including a passing score on the
Veterinary Technician National Exam; and
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(iii) appropriate training and experience, as indicated by a credential
from a state government or an organization recognized by the National Association of
Veterinary Technicians in America to issue the credential.
(2) The regulations may not require a full veterinary technician program
but may require a limited number of credits as determined necessary by the Board.
(d) The alternative pathway established under this section shall be available for
employed veterinary assistants only until September 30, 2027, inclusive.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.