Kentucky Statutes 321.190 – License required to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology
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(1) The practice of veterinary medicine and the practice of veterinary technology in the Commonwealth are subject to enforcement by the board. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of veterinary technology in the Commonwealth through any means unless licensed under the applicable provisions of this chapter, except as provided in KRS § 321.200 and KRS § 321.443.
(2) (a) A person shall not use the designation “veterinarian,” “licensed veterinarian,” or any other designation indicating licensure status, including abbreviations, or hold that person out as a veterinarian unless licensed for that profession.
(b) A person shall not use the designation “veterinary technician,” “licensed veterinary technician,” or any other designation indicating licensure status, including abbreviations, or hold that person out as a veterinary technician unless licensed for that profession.
(3) The practice of veterinary medicine by telephonic, videoconference, telehealth, or other means shall constitute the practice of veterinary medicine subject to licensure and enforcement by the board.
(4) A veterinarian shall utilize the services of a licensed veterinary technician or veterinary assistant in accordance with this chapter and the administrative regulations promulgated under the authority of this chapter. Unauthorized utilization of any person’s services in violation of this chapter shall be considered as aiding and abetting any unlicensed person to practice veterinary medicine as described in KRS § 321.351.
(5) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent members of other professions from performing functions for which they are credentialed by the board and that is within their defined scope of practice. However, these persons shall not hold themselves out or refer to themselves by any title or description stating or implying that they are licensed or otherwise entitled to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of veterinary technology.
(6) Except as authorized by KRS § 321.200, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit any person who is not a veterinarian to perform any of the following activities relating to animals:
(a) Surgery; (b) Diagnosis;
(c) Prognosis; and
(d) Prescription.
(7) A supervising veterinarian is individually and separately responsible and liable for the performance of the acts delegated to and the omissions of the licensed veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, special permittee, intern, preceptor, resident, or any other individual working under the veterinarian’s supervision. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, special permittees, interns, preceptors, residents, or any other individuals working under supervision of any responsibility or liability for any of their own acts or omissions.
(8) Unless exempted by KRS § 321.200, persons engaging in the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of veterinary technology without a credential from the board shall be subject to enforcement and discipline by the board as established in KRS § 321.352 and KRS § 321.990.
Effective: June 29, 2023
History: Repealed and reenacted 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 12, effective June 29,
2023. — Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 116, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2016. — Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 299, sec. 15, effective July 14, 1992. — Created 1948
Ky. Acts ch. 181, sec. 15.
(2) (a) A person shall not use the designation “veterinarian,” “licensed veterinarian,” or any other designation indicating licensure status, including abbreviations, or hold that person out as a veterinarian unless licensed for that profession.
Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 321.190
- Board: means the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Credential: means :
(a) Any license, certificate, permit, registration, or other credential issued or approved by the board. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181 - Discipline: means any final order, settlement agreement, reprimand, fine, or other adverse consequence assessed against a person by the board or any of its counterparts in other jurisdictions. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Permittee: means a person permitted by the board under this chapter. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Person: means any individual, firm, partnership, association, joint venture, cooperative, corporation, governmental body, or any other group, legal entity, or combination acting in concert, and whether or not acting as a principal, trustee, fiduciary, receiver, or as any kind of legal or personal representative, or as the successor in interest, assignee, agent, factor, servant, employee, director, officer, or any other representative of the person. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Practice of veterinary medicine: means any person who practices veterinary medicine when performing any one (1) or more of the following on an animal:
(a) Directly or indirectly diagnoses, prognoses, corrects, changes, relieves, prevents, supervises, recommends, or performs medical or surgical treatment, including complementary and alternative veterinary medicine therapies, obstetrics, dentistry, oral surgery, acupuncture, laser therapy, manipulation, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine, for the diagnosis, prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, defect, deformity, fracture, bodily injury, disease, or dental, physical, behavioral, or mental condition. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181 - Practice of veterinary technology: means :
(a) The practices of veterinary technology when performing patient care, professional medical care, monitoring, treatment, or other services on an animal that require a technical understanding of veterinary medicine on the basis of written or oral instruction of a veterinarian, or under supervision of a veterinarian. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181 - Prescription: means an order for a drug or medicine, combination or mixture of drugs or medicines, or proprietary preparation that is signed, given, or authorized and intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in a patient. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Supervising veterinarian: means a veterinarian who assumes responsibility for the veterinary care given to a patient by an individual working under the veterinarian's direction and has examined the patient pursuant to currently acceptable standards of care. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Telehealth: means all uses of technology to remotely gather and deliver health information, advice, education, and care. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Veterinarian: means an individual who is licensed to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine under this chapter. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Veterinary assistant: means a layperson or noncredential holder who is employed by a veterinarian in accordance with KRS §. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
- Veterinary technician: means a person who has completed an approved veterinary technology program, is licensed in accordance with this chapter, and meets the requirements in KRS §. See Kentucky Statutes 321.181
(b) A person shall not use the designation “veterinary technician,” “licensed veterinary technician,” or any other designation indicating licensure status, including abbreviations, or hold that person out as a veterinary technician unless licensed for that profession.
(3) The practice of veterinary medicine by telephonic, videoconference, telehealth, or other means shall constitute the practice of veterinary medicine subject to licensure and enforcement by the board.
(4) A veterinarian shall utilize the services of a licensed veterinary technician or veterinary assistant in accordance with this chapter and the administrative regulations promulgated under the authority of this chapter. Unauthorized utilization of any person’s services in violation of this chapter shall be considered as aiding and abetting any unlicensed person to practice veterinary medicine as described in KRS § 321.351.
(5) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent members of other professions from performing functions for which they are credentialed by the board and that is within their defined scope of practice. However, these persons shall not hold themselves out or refer to themselves by any title or description stating or implying that they are licensed or otherwise entitled to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of veterinary technology.
(6) Except as authorized by KRS § 321.200, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit any person who is not a veterinarian to perform any of the following activities relating to animals:
(a) Surgery; (b) Diagnosis;
(c) Prognosis; and
(d) Prescription.
(7) A supervising veterinarian is individually and separately responsible and liable for the performance of the acts delegated to and the omissions of the licensed veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, special permittee, intern, preceptor, resident, or any other individual working under the veterinarian’s supervision. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, special permittees, interns, preceptors, residents, or any other individuals working under supervision of any responsibility or liability for any of their own acts or omissions.
(8) Unless exempted by KRS § 321.200, persons engaging in the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of veterinary technology without a credential from the board shall be subject to enforcement and discipline by the board as established in KRS § 321.352 and KRS § 321.990.
Effective: June 29, 2023
History: Repealed and reenacted 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 12, effective June 29,
2023. — Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 116, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2016. — Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 299, sec. 15, effective July 14, 1992. — Created 1948
Ky. Acts ch. 181, sec. 15.