Practice of Veterinary Medicine

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A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the practice of veterinary 2
medicine; amending s. 474.201, F.S.; revising 3
legislative findings regarding the practice of 4
veterinary medicine; amending s. 474.202, F.S.; 5
providing definitions; amending s. 474.203, F.S.; 6
providing that specified exemptions apply to certain 7
veterinary technicians; amending s. 474.204, F.S.; 8
revising membership of the Board of Veterinary 9
Medicine; creating s. 474.2071, F.S.; providing 10
requirements for licensure of veterinary technicians; 11
amending 474.211, F.S.; providing continuing education 12
requirements for the renewal of veterinary 13
technicians' licenses; amending s. 474.213, F.S.; 14
prohibiting certain persons from taking specified 15
actions relating to the licensure of and the use of 16
the titles of licensed veterinary technicians; 17
providing criminal penalties; amending s. 474.214, 18
F.S.; providing grounds for disciplinary action 19
against applicants for licensure and licensed 20
veterinary technicians; authorizing the board to take 21
specified actions against certain persons; providing 22
for the reissuance of a license to a licensed 23
veterinary technician under certain circumstances; 24
creating s. 474.223, F.S.; providing scope of practice 25

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relating to licensed veterinary technicians; 26
authorizing licensed veterinary technicians to provide 27
specified services; authorizing supervising 28
veterinarians to delegate specified responsibilities 29
to licensed veterinary technicians; prohibiting 30
licensed veterinary technicians and veterinary 31
assistants from taking specified actions or 32
identifying themselves as specified persons; amending 33
s. 828.30, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 34
by the act; providing an effective date. 35
36
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 37
38
Section 1. Section 474.201, Florida Statutes, is amended 39
to read: 40
474.201 Purpose.—The Legislature finds that the practice 41
of veterinary medicine is potentially dangerous to the public 42
health and safety if conducted by incompetent and unlicensed 43
veterinarians and veterinary technicians practitioners. The 44
legislative purpose in enacting this chapter is to ensure that 45
every veterinarian and licensed veterinary technician practicing 46
in this state meet minimum requirements for safe practice. It is 47
the legislative intent that veterinarians and licensed 48
veterinary technicians who are not normally competent or who 49
otherwise present a danger to the public shall be disciplined or 50

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prohibited from practicing in this state. 51
Section 2. Subsections (6) through (12), (13), and (14) of 52
section 474.202, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections 53
(7) through (13), (15), and (18), respectively, and new 54
subsections (6) and (14) and subsections (16) and (17) are added 55
to that section, to read: 56
474.202 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: 57
(6) "Veterinary technician" means a veterinary technician 58
who practices veterinary technology in the state and is licensed 59
under the authority of this chapter. 60
(14) "Veterinary assistant" means a person who practices 61
on a veterinary team providing medical care for animals. The 62
term does not include a licensed veterinary technician. 63
(16) "Veterinary technician" means a person who has 64
graduated with an associate degree from a veterinary technology 65
training program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical 66
Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and 67
Activities (CVTEA). 68
(17) "Veterinary technology" means the science and art of 69
providing certain aspects of the medical care and treatment of a 70
patient by a person who is a veterinary technician or veterinary 71
technologist, as delegated and supervised by a licensed 72
veterinarian with an established veterinarian/client/patient 73
relationship. The term does not include the diagnosis, 74
prognosis, prescription of medications, surgery, or development 75

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of treatment plans, which are within the purview of the 76
veterinarian. 77
Section 3. Subsection (3), paragraph (a) of subsection 78
(5), and subsection (7) of section 474.203, Florida Statutes, 79
are amended to read: 80
474.203 Exemptions.—This chapter does not apply to: 81
(3) A student in a school or college of veterinary 82
medicine or a program for veterinary technology while in the 83
performance of duties assigned by her or his instructor or when 84
working as a preceptor under the immediate supervision of a 85
licensee, if such preceptorship is required for graduation from 86
an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine or a 87
program for veterinary technology. The licensed veterinarian is 88
responsible for all acts performed by a preceptor under her or 89
his supervision. 90
(5)(a) Any person, or the person's regular employee, 91
administering to the ills or injuries of her or his own animals, 92
including, but not limited to, castration, spaying, and 93
dehorning of herd animals, unless title is transferred or 94
employment provided for the purpose of circumventing this law. 95
This exemption does not apply to any person licensed as a 96
veterinarian or veterinary technician in another state or 97
foreign jurisdiction and practicing temporarily in this state. 98
However, except as provided in s. 828.30, only a veterinarian or 99
a licensed veterinary technician, as authorized in s. 100

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474.223(1)(m), may immunize or treat an animal for diseases that 101
are communicable to humans and that are of public health 102
significance. 103
(7) Any veterinary aide, nurse, unlicensed veterinary 104
technician, laboratory technician, preceptor, or other employee 105
of a licensed veterinarian who administers medication or who 106
renders auxiliary or supporting assistance under the responsible 107
supervision of a licensed veterinarian, including those tasks 108
identified by rule of the board requiring immediate supervision. 109
However, the licensed veterinarian is responsible for all such 110
acts performed under this subsection by persons under her or his 111
supervision. 112
113
For the purposes of chapters 465 and 893, persons exempt 114
pursuant to subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (4) 115
are deemed to be duly licensed practitioners authorized by the 116
laws of this state to prescribe drugs or medicinal supplies. 117
Section 4. Section 474.204, Florida Statutes, is amended 118
to read: 119
474.204 Board of Veterinary Medicine.— 120
(1) To carry out the provisions of this chapter, there is 121
created within the department the Board of Veterinary Medicine 122
consisting of the following seven members, who shall be 123
appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the 124
Senate:. 125

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(a)(2) Five members who are of the board shall be licensed 126
veterinarians. 127
(b) Two members who are licensed veterinary technicians 128
who have been actively engaged in the practice of veterinary 129
technology for at least 5 years immediately preceding their 130
appointment. 131
(c) Two members who are of the board shall be laypersons 132
who are not and have never been veterinarians or members of any 133
closely related profession or occupation. 134
(2)(3) All provisions of chapter 455 relating to 135
activities of regulatory boards shall apply. 136
Section 5. Section 474.2071, Florida Statutes, is created 137
to read: 138
474.2071 Veterinary technician licensure by examination.— 139
(1) A person desiring to become licensed as a veterinary 140
technician shall apply to the board and must meet all of the 141
following requirements: 142
(a) Graduated from a program of veterinary technology 143
accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association 144
Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. 145
(b) Obtained a passing score on the Veterinary Technician 146
National Exam as determined by the American Association of 147
Veterinary State Boards. 148
(c) Demonstrated knowledge of the laws and rules governing 149
the practice of veterinary technology in this state in a manner 150

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consistent with rules of the board. 151
(2) A credentialed veterinary technician who is in good 152
standing with the Florida Veterinary Technician Association or 153
the Florida Veterinary Medical Association on July 1, 2026, is 154
eligible to apply for licensure upon meeting all of the 155
following criteria: 156
(a) Completed the application form. 157
(b) Demonstrated knowledge of the laws and rules governing 158
the practice of veterinary technology in this state in a manner 159
consistent with rules of the board. 160
Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 474.211, Florida 161
Statutes, is amended to read: 162
474.211 Renewal of license.— 163
(3) The board may by rule prescribe continuing education, 164
not to exceed 30 hours biennially for veterinarians and 15 hours 165
biennially for licensed veterinary technicians, as a condition 166
for renewal of a license or certificate. The criteria for such 167
programs, providers, and courses shall be approved by the board. 168
Section 7. Section 474.213, Florida Statutes, is amended 169
to read: 170
474.213 Prohibitions; penalties.— 171
(1) A No person may not shall: 172
(a) Lead the public to believe that such person is 173
licensed as a veterinarian, or is engaged in the licensed 174
practice of veterinary medicine, without such person holding a 175

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valid, active license pursuant to this chapter; 176
(b) Use the name or title "veterinarian" when the person 177
has not been licensed under pursuant to this chapter; 178
(c) Present as her or his own the license of another; 179
(d) Give false or forged evidence to the board or a member 180
thereof for the purpose of obtaining a license; 181
(e) Use or attempt to use a veterinarian's license which 182
has been suspended or revoked; 183
(f) Knowingly employ unlicensed persons in the practice of 184
veterinary medicine; 185
(g) Knowingly conceal information relative to violations 186
of this chapter; 187
(h) Obtain or attempt to obtain a license to practice 188
veterinary medicine by fraudulent representation; 189
(i) Practice veterinary medicine in this state, unless the 190
person holds a valid, active license to practice veterinary 191
medicine pursuant to this chapter; 192
(j) Sell or offer to sell a diploma conferring a degree 193
from a veterinary school or college, or a license issued 194
pursuant to this chapter, or procure such diploma or license 195
with the intent that it shall be used as evidence of that which 196
the document stands for by a person other than the one upon whom 197
it was conferred or to whom it was granted; or 198
(k) Knowingly operate a veterinary establishment or 199
premises without having a premise permit issued under s. 200

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474.215. 201
(2) A person may not: 202
(a) Lead the public to believe that such person is 203
licensed as a veterinary technician or is engaged in the 204
licensed practice of veterinary technology without such person 205
holding a valid, active license under this chapter; or 206
(b) Use the name or title "licensed veterinary technician" 207
when the person has not been licensed under this chapter. 208
(3)(a)(2) A person who violates subsection (1) any 209
provision of this section commits a felony of the third degree, 210
punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 211
(b) A person who violates subsection (2) commits a 212
misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 213
775.082 or s. 775.083. 214
Section 8. Section 474.214, Florida Statutes, is amended 215
to read: 216
474.214 Disciplinary proceedings.— 217
(1) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which 218
the disciplinary actions in subsection (3) (2) may be taken: 219
(a) Attempting to procure a license to practice veterinary 220
medicine by bribery, by fraudulent representations, or through 221
an error of the department or the board. 222
(b) Having a license or the authority to practice 223
veterinary medicine revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted 224
against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing 225

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authority of any jurisdiction, including any agency or 226
subdivision thereof. The licensing authority's acceptance of a 227
veterinarian's relinquishment of a license, stipulation, consent 228
order, or other settlement, offered in response to or in 229
anticipation of the filing of administrative charges against the 230
veterinarian's license or authority to practice, shall be 231
construed as action against the veterinarian's license or 232
authority to practice. 233
(c) Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of 234
adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly 235
relates to the practice of veterinary medicine or the ability to 236
practice veterinary medicine. Any crime which demonstrates a 237
lack of regard for animal life relates to the ability to 238
practice veterinary medicine. In addition, crimes relating to 239
the ability to practice veterinary medicine shall include, but 240
not be limited to, crimes involving any violation of state or 241
federal drug laws. 242
(d) Making or filing a report or record which the licensee 243
knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file 244
a report or record required by state or federal law, willfully 245
impeding or obstructing such filing, or inducing another person 246
to impede or obstruct such filing. Such reports or records shall 247
include only those which are signed in the capacity of a 248
licensed veterinarian. 249
(e) Advertising goods or services in a manner which is 250

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fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading in form or content. 251
(f) Violating any provision of this chapter or chapter 252
455, a rule of the board or department, or a lawful order of the 253
board or department previously entered in a disciplinary 254
hearing, or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of 255
the department. 256
(g) Practicing with a revoked, suspended, inactive, or 257
delinquent license. 258
(h) Being unable to practice veterinary medicine with 259
reasonable skill or safety to patients by reason of illness, 260
drunkenness, use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other 261
material or substance or as a result of any mental or physical 262
condition. In enforcing this paragraph, upon a finding by the 263
secretary, the secretary's designee, or the probable cause panel 264
of the board that probable cause exists to believe that the 265
licensee is unable to practice the profession because of the 266
reasons stated in this paragraph, the department shall have the 267
authority to compel a licensee to submit to a mental or physical 268
examination by a physician designated by the department. If the 269
licensee refuses to comply with the department's order, the 270
department may file a petition for enforcement in the circuit 271
court of the circuit in which the licensee resides or does 272
business. The licensee shall not be named or identified by 273
initials in any other public court records or documents and the 274
enforcement proceedings shall be closed to the public. The 275

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department shall be entitled to the summary procedure provided 276
in s. 51.011. A licensee affected under this paragraph shall be 277
afforded an opportunity at reasonable intervals to demonstrate 278
that she or he can resume the competent practice for which she 279
or he is licensed with reasonable skill and safety to patients. 280
Neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the 281
board in any proceedings under this paragraph shall be used 282
against a licensee in any other proceedings. 283
(i) Judicially determined mental incompetency. However, a 284
license suspended for this cause may be reinstated upon legal 285
restoration of the competency of the individual whose license 286
was so suspended. 287
(j) Knowingly maintaining a professional connection or 288
association with any person who is in violation of the 289
provisions of this chapter or the rules of the board or 290
department. However, if the licensee verifies that the person is 291
actively participating in a board-approved program for the 292
treatment of a physical or mental condition, the licensee is 293
required only to report such person to the consultant. 294
(k) Paying or receiving kickbacks, rebates, bonuses, or 295
other remuneration for receiving a patient or client or for 296
referring a patient or client to another provider of veterinary 297
services or goods. 298
(l) Performing or prescribing unnecessary or unauthorized 299
treatment. 300

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(m) Committing fraud in the collection of fees from 301
consumers or any person, agency, or organization paying fees to 302
practitioners. 303
(n) Attempting to restrict competition in the field of 304
veterinary medicine other than for the protection of the public. 305
However, this provision shall not apply to testimony made in 306
good faith at a hearing or other proceeding in which the subject 307
is the revocation of a license or a lesser penalty. 308
(o) Committing fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetency, or 309
misconduct, in or related to the practice of veterinary 310
medicine. 311
(p) Being convicted of Conviction on a charge of cruelty 312
to animals. 313
(q) Permitting or allowing another to use a veterinarian's 314
license for the purpose of treating or offering to treat 315
animals. 316
(r) Being guilty of incompetence or negligence by failing 317
to practice medicine with that level of care, skill, and 318
treatment which is recognized by a reasonably prudent 319
veterinarian as being acceptable under similar conditions and 320
circumstances. 321
(s) Willfully making any misrepresentations in connection 322
with the inspection of food for human consumption. 323
(t) Fraudulently issuing or using any false health 324
certificate, vaccination certificate, test chart, or other blank 325

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form used in the practice of veterinary medicine relating to the 326
presence or absence of animal disease or transporting animals or 327
issuing any false certificate relating to the sale of products 328
of animal origin for human consumption. 329
(u) Committing fraud or being dishonest dishonesty in 330
applying, treating, or reporting on tuberculin, diagnostic, or 331
other biological tests. 332
(v) Failing to keep the equipment and premises of the 333
business establishment in a clean and sanitary condition, having 334
a premises permit suspended or revoked pursuant to s. 474.215, 335
or operating or managing premises that do not comply with 336
requirements established by rule of the board. 337
(w) Practicing veterinary medicine at a location for which 338
a valid premises permit has not been issued when required under 339
s. 474.215. 340
(x) Refusing to permit the department to inspect the 341
business premises of the licensee during regular business hours. 342
(y) Using the privilege of ordering, prescribing, or 343
making available medicinal drugs or drugs as defined in chapter 344
465, or controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, for use 345
other than for the specific treatment of animal patients for 346
which there is a documented veterinarian/client/patient 347
relationship. Pursuant thereto, the veterinarian shall: 348
1. Have sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at 349
least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical 350

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condition of the animal, which means that the veterinarian is 351
personally acquainted with the keeping and caring of the animal 352
and has recently seen the animal or has made medically 353
appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal 354
is kept. 355
2. Be available or provide for followup care and treatment 356
in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of 357
therapy. 358
3. Maintain records which document patient visits, 359
diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant information required 360
under this chapter. 361
(z) Providing, prescribing, ordering, or making available 362
for human use medicinal drugs or drugs as defined in chapter 363
465, controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, or any 364
material, chemical, or substance used exclusively for animal 365
treatment. 366
(aa) Failing to report to the department any person the 367
licensee knows to be in violation of this chapter or of the 368
rules of the department or board. However, if the licensee 369
verifies that the person is actively participating in a board-370
approved program for the treatment of a physical or mental 371
condition, the licensee is required only to report such person 372
to the consultant. 373
(bb) Violating any of the requirements of chapter 499, the 374
Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act; 21 U.S.C. ss. 301-392, the 375

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Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; 21 U.S.C. ss. 821 et seq., 376
the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, 377
more commonly known as the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention 378
and Control Act; or chapter 893. 379
(cc) Failing to provide adequate radiation safeguards. 380
(dd) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation 381
placed upon a licensee. 382
(ee) Failing to keep contemporaneously written medical 383
records as required by rule of the board. 384
(ff) Prescribing or dispensing a legend drug as defined in 385
chapter 499, including any controlled substance, inappropriately 386
or in excessive or inappropriate quantities. 387
(gg) Practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope 388
permitted by law. 389
(hh) Delegating professional responsibilities to a person 390
when the licensee delegating such responsibilities knows or has 391
reason to know that such person is not qualified by training, 392
experience, or licensure to perform them. 393
(ii) Presigning blank prescription forms. 394
(jj) Failing to report to the board within 30 days, in 395
writing, any action set forth in paragraph (b) that has been 396
taken against the practitioner's license to practice veterinary 397
medicine by any jurisdiction, including any agency or 398
subdivision thereof. 399
(kk) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any 400

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provision of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant thereto. 401
(ll) Failing to respond within 60 days after receipt of a 402
request to provide satisfactory proof of having participated in 403
approved continuing education programs. 404
(mm) Failing to maintain accurate records or reports as 405
required by this chapter or by federal or state laws or rules 406
pertaining to the storing, labeling, selling, dispensing, 407
prescribing, and administering of controlled substances. 408
(nn) Failing to report a change of address to the board 409
within 60 days thereof. 410
(oo) Failure of the responsible veterinarian to report a 411
change of premises ownership or responsible veterinarian within 412
60 days thereof. 413
(pp) Failing to give the owner of a patient, before 414
dispensing any drug, a written prescription when requested. 415
(2) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 416
disciplinary actions under subsection (3) may be taken against 417
an applicant for licensure as a veterinary technician or a 418
licensed veterinary technician: 419
(a) Violating any provision of this chapter that relates 420
to licensed veterinary technicians. 421
(b) Being convicted or found guilty of, regardless of 422
adjudication, a felony. 423
(c) Being convicted of a charge of cruelty to animals. 424
(d) Soliciting patients from any practitioner of the 425

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healing arts. 426
(e) Willfully or negligently divulging a professional 427
confidence. 428
(f) Habitually or excessively using intoxicants or drugs. 429
(g) Committing fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetency, or 430
misconduct, in or related to the practice of veterinary 431
technology. 432
(h) Committing fraud or misrepresentation in applying for 433
or procuring licensure as a licensed veterinary technician or in 434
applying for or procuring the biannual renewal of such license. 435
(i) Impersonating or attempting to impersonate another 436
person who is licensed as a veterinary technician or allowing a 437
person to use his or her license as a veterinary technician. 438
(j) Practicing with a revoked, a suspended, an inactive, 439
or a delinquent license. 440
(k) Selling or offering to sell a license issued under 441
this chapter or a diploma conferring a degree from a veterinary 442
technology school or college. 443
(l) Aiding and abetting a person in the practice of 444
veterinary medicine who is not licensed by the board. 445
(m) Failing to report to the board within 30 days, in 446
writing, any action that has been taken against the veterinary 447
technician's license to practice veterinary technology by any 448
jurisdiction, including any agency or subdivision thereof. 449
(n) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation 450

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placed upon a licensed veterinary technician. 451
(o) Failing to respond within 60 days after receipt of a 452
request to provide satisfactory proof of having participated in 453
approved continuing education courses. 454
(p) Failing to report a change of address to the board 455
within 60 days after such change occurs. 456
(3)(2) When the board finds any applicant, or 457
veterinarian, or licensed veterinary technician guilty of any of 458
the grounds set forth in subsection (1) or subsection (2), as 459
applicable, regardless of whether the violation occurred before 460
prior to licensure, it may enter an order imposing one or more 461
of the following penalties: 462
(a) Denial of certification for examination or licensure. 463
(b) Revocation or suspension of a license. 464
(c) Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed 465
$5,000 for each count or separate offense. 466
(d) Issuance of a reprimand. 467
(e) Placement of the veterinarian or licensed veterinary 468
technician on probation for a period of time and subject to such 469
conditions as the board may specify, including requiring the 470
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician to attend 471
continuing education courses or to work under the supervision of 472
another veterinarian. 473
(f) Restricting the authorized scope of practice. 474
(g) Imposition of costs of the investigation and 475

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prosecution. 476
(h) Requiring the veterinarian or licensed veterinary 477
technician to undergo remedial education. 478
479
In determining appropriate action, the board must first consider 480
those sanctions necessary to protect the public. Only after 481
those sanctions have been imposed may the disciplining authority 482
consider and include in its order requirements designed to 483
rehabilitate the veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician. 484
All costs associated with compliance with any order issued under 485
this subsection are the obligation of the veterinarian or 486
licensed veterinary technician. 487
(4)(3) The department shall reissue the license of a 488
disciplined veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician upon 489
certification by the board that the disciplined veterinarian or 490
licensed veterinary technician has complied with all of the 491
terms and conditions set forth in the final order and is capable 492
of competently and safely engaging in the practice of veterinary 493
medicine or veterinary technology, as applicable. 494
Section 9. Section 474.223, Florida Statutes, is created 495
to read: 496
474.223 Licensed veterinary technicians.— 497
(1) A licensed veterinary technician may provide the 498
following services under the supervision of a licensed 499
veterinarian: 500

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(a) Arterial and central venous catheterization. 501
(b) Euthanasia. 502
(c) Intraperitoneal injections. 503
(d) Placement of gastric, nasoesophageal, and nasogastric 504
tubes. 505
(e) Suturing or stapling of skin lacerations, gingival 506
incisions, or existing surgical incisions. 507
(f) Paravertebral blocks and epidurals. 508
(g) A complex single root extraction that is beyond a 509
simple digital extraction of the tooth that requires periosteal 510
elevation but does not require sectioning of the tooth or of the 511
bone. 512
(h) Blood or blood component collection, preparation, and 513
administration for transfusion or blood banking purposes. 514
(i) Ear flushing with powered mechanical devices creating 515
pressure or suction. 516
(j) A thoracocentesis, cystocentesis, or abdominocentesis. 517
(k) Application of casts, splints, and slings for the 518
immobilization of fractures. 519
(l) Placement of an epidural, instraosseuous, or nasal 520
catheter. 521
(m) Administering rabies vaccinations. 522
(2) A supervising veterinarian shall determine the 523
appropriate level of supervision and protocol for any of the 524
tasks under subsection (1). All other tasks may be performed by 525

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licensed or unlicensed persons at the discretion of the 526
supervising veterinarian. In determining the appropriate level 527
of supervision, the veterinarian must consider the level of 528
training and experience of the person to whom the task is 529
delegated. 530
(3) A supervising veterinarian may delegate to a licensed 531
veterinary technician the responsibility of supervising a task 532
or tasks performed by an unlicensed person, except for any of 533
the tasks listed in subsection (1). 534
(4) A licensed veterinary technician may not make or 535
provide any diagnosis or prognosis, perform any surgery, or 536
prescribe any medical drugs as defined in chapter 465 or 537
controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, unless 538
otherwise authorized in this chapter. 539
(5) A veterinary assistant may not identify himself or 540
herself to the public as a veterinary technician or a licensed 541
veterinary technician unless he or she is a graduate of an 542
accredited veterinary technology program or licensed under this 543
chapter, as applicable. 544
Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection 545
(3) of section 828.30, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 546
828.30 Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets.— 547
(1)(a) All dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or 548
older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, licensed 549
veterinary technician under the supervision of a licensed 550

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veterinarian, or a person authorized under paragraph (b) against 551
rabies with a vaccine that is licensed by the United States 552
Department of Agriculture for use in those species. 553
(3) Upon vaccination against rabies, the licensed 554
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician shall provide the 555
animal's owner and the animal control authority with a rabies 556
vaccination certificate. Each animal control authority and 557
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician shall use the 558
"Rabies Vaccination Certificate" of the National Association of 559
State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) or an equivalent form 560
approved by the local government that contains all the 561
information required by the NASPHV Rabies Vaccination 562
Certificate. The veterinarian who administers the rabies 563
vaccination or who supervises the administration of the rabies 564
vaccination as provided in paragraph (1)(b) to an animal as 565
authorized under this section may affix his or her signature 566
stamp in lieu of an actual signature. 567
Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 568