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AB-516 • 2026
Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants: scope of practice.
Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants: scope of practice.
Healthcare
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
- Sponsor
- Kalra
- Last action
- Official status
- Secretary of State
- Effective date
- Not listed
Plain English Breakdown
The bill does not specify the exact services that veterinary assistants are allowed to perform, leaving some ambiguity.
Registered Veterinary Technicians and Assistants: Expanded Scope of Practice
This law allows registered veterinary technicians and assistants to perform more animal health care services under the supervision of a veterinarian, including dental procedures for registered veterinary technicians.
What This Bill Does
- Authorizes registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to provide animal health care services not prohibited by other laws when supervised by a licensed veterinarian.
- Allows both registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to offer medical assistance to animals in shelters under the guidance of a veterinarian.
Who It Names or Affects
- Registered veterinary technicians
- Veterinary assistants
Terms To Know
- Veterinary Medicine Practice Act
- A law that sets rules for who can practice as a veterinarian and how they should be licensed.
- California Veterinary Medical Board
- The group in California responsible for licensing and regulating veterinary medicine practitioners.
Limits and Unknowns
- Does not specify the exact services that veterinary assistants can perform.
- Does not detail the necessary training or education requirements for these expanded roles.
Bill History
No action history is stored for this bill yet.
Official Summary Text
AB 516, Kalra.
Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants: scope of practice.
Existing law, the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, establishes the California Veterinary Medical Board to license and regulate the practice of veterinary medicine. Existing law authorizes registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to perform animal health care services prescribed by law under the supervision of a veterinarian, and authorizes registered veterinary technicians to perform animal health care services on animals impounded by a state, county, city, or city and county agency pursuant to an order of a veterinarian.
This bill would instead authorize registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to perform animal health care services not otherwise prohibited by law under the supervision of a veterinarian, and would authorize both registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to perform
animal health care services not otherwise prohibited by law on animals housed in public or private animal shelters, humane societies, or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to an order of a veterinarian. The bill would also authorize a registered veterinary technician to perform dental care procedures, including tooth extractions, under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
Download Bill PDF