A.B. 71
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ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 71–COMMITTEE
ON COMMERCE AND LABOR
(ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS)
PREFILED NOVEMBER 20, 2024
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Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
SUMMARY—Revises the list of activities that constitute the
practice of veterinary medicine to exclude the
subcutaneous implantation of an identification
microchip into an animal. (BDR 54-432)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State: No.
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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to veterinary medicine; revising the list of
activities that constitute the practice of veterinary
medicine to exclude the subcutaneous implantation of an
identification microchip into an animal; and providing
other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of veterinarians, 1
veterinary technicians and euthanasia technicians by the Nevada State Board of 2
Veterinary Medical Examiners. (Chapter 638 of NRS) Existing law prohibits a 3
person from practicing veterinary medicine, surgery, obstetrics or dentistry within 4
this State without a license issued by the Board. (NRS 638.090) Existing law sets 5
forth the activities that constitute and do not constitute the practice of veterinary 6
medicine. (NRS 638.008) This bill includes the subcutaneous implantation of an 7
identification microchip into an animal among the activities that do not constitute 8
the practice of veterinary medicine, thereby exempting a person who engages in 9
that activity from the requirement to obtain a license issued by the Board. 10
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. NRS 638.008 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1
638.008 1. “Practice of veterinary medicine” means: 2
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(a) To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve or prevent animal 1
disease, deformity, defect, injury or other physical or mental 2
conditions, including, but not limited to: 3
(1) The prescription or the administration of any drug, 4
medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic or other 5
therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique; 6
(2) The collection of embryos; 7
(3) Testing for pregnancy or for correcting sterility or 8
infertility; 9
(4) Acupuncture; 10
(5) Dentistry; 11
(6) Chiropractic procedures; 12
(7) Surgery, including cosmetic surgery; or 13
(8) Rendering advice or recommendation with regard to any 14
of these by any means, including, without limitation, veterinary 15
telemedicine. 16
(b) To represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an 17
ability and willingness to do any act described in paragraph (a). 18
(c) To use any title, words, abbreviation or letters in a manner or 19
under circumstances which induce the belief that the person using 20
them is qualified to do any act described in paragraph (a), except if 21
the person is a veterinarian. 22
2. The term does not include: 23
(a) The practice of a veterinarian or veterinary technician while 24
he or she lectures, teaches, administers a practical examination or 25
conducts a laboratory demonstration in a facility in connection with: 26
(1) A seminar; or 27
(2) A course of continuing education for veterinarians or 28
veterinary technicians that has been approved by the Board; 29
(b) The practice of a person who is a graduate from a school of 30
veterinary medicine that is not accredited by the Council on 31
Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association while he 32
or she is preparing to take a clinical proficiency examination 33
administered by the American Veterinary Medical Association for 34
the purpose of acquiring an educational certificate issued by the 35
Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the 36
American Veterinary Medical Association or its successor 37
organization as described in paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of NRS 38
638.100; [or] 39
(c) Emergency advice or recommendations given by a poison 40
control center until the animal can be examined in person by a 41
licensed veterinarian [.] ; or 42
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(d) The subcutaneous implantation of an identification 1
microchip into an animal. 2
H