Sec 32-2231. Acts constituting the practice of veterinary medicine; exceptions; definitions

A. A person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry within the meaning of this chapter who, within this state:

1. By advertisement, or by any notice, sign or other indication, or by a statement written, printed or oral, in public or in private, made, done or procured by himself or any other at his request claims, announces, makes known or pretends ability or willingness to diagnose any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury or to perform any type of surgical procedure on animals.

2. Advertises or makes known or claims ability and willingness to perform the following for hire, fee, compensation or reward that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted:

(a) Prescribe or administer any drug, medicine, treatment, method or practice for any animal.

(b) Perform any operation or manipulation on or apply any apparatus or appliance to any animal.

(c) Give any instruction or demonstration for the cure, amelioration, correction or reduction or modification of any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury.

3. Diagnoses or prognosticates any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury for hire, fee, reward or compensation that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted.

4. Prescribes or administers any drug, medicine, treatment, method or practice, performs any operation or manipulation, or applies any apparatus or appliance for the cure, amelioration, correction or modification of any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury for hire, fee, compensation or reward that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted.

B. This section does not apply to:

1. Duly authorized representatives of the United States department of agriculture in the discharge of any duty authorized by the director in charge of the animal disease eradication division.

2. A certified veterinary technician performing a task or function authorized by the rules of the board in the employ of and under the direction, supervision and control of a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinary faculty member.

3. An equine dental practitioner if all of the following apply:

(a) The equine dental practitioner is certified by the international association of equine dentistry or the academy of equine dentistry.

(b) The equine dental practitioner performs any of the following procedures under the general supervision of a licensed veterinarian:

(i) The application of any apparatus used to work on the oral cavity.

(ii) The examination of dental conditions.

(iii) The removal of overgrowth from the teeth of horses and the removal of sharp enamel points from the teeth of horses, excluding any extractions unless the certified equine dental practitioner is under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

(iv) Any treatment of the oral cavity as authorized by the animal's owner, excluding any extractions unless the certified equine dental practitioner is under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

(c) The equine dental practitioner provides both of the following to the board:

(i) Proof of current certification from the international association of equine dentistry or the academy of equine dentistry.

(ii) A written statement signed by the supervising veterinarian that the certified equine dental practitioner will be under the general or direct supervision of the licensed veterinarian when performing the procedures prescribed by this paragraph.

(d) Both the supervising veterinarian and the certified equine dental practitioner maintain dental charts for procedures done pursuant to this paragraph.

4. A veterinary student who performs acts of health care or prescribed veterinary procedures as a part of the student's educational experience if both of the following apply:

(a) The acts are assigned by a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinary faculty member who is responsible for the animal's care.

(b) The student works under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinary faculty member.

C. Notwithstanding subsection B, paragraph 3 of this section, only a licensed veterinarian and not an equine dental practitioner may prescribe or administer, or both prescribe and administer, any drug or medicine.

D. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Direct supervision" means a licensed veterinarian must authorize and be physically present for the procedure.

2. "General supervision" means a licensed veterinarian must be available for consultation by telephone or other form of immediate communication.