Access to Veterinary Care

The bill requires the state board of veterinary medicine (board) to expedite the review and update the existing process by which an individual who has a license to practice veterinary medicine in another state may be licensed by endorsement to practice veterinary medicine in Colorado. The bill directs the board to develop a list of states that have equivalent or substantially equivalent licensing requirements as Colorado and a list of states that have less stringent licensing requirements than Colorado. Where an individual is licensed will determine the process by which the individual may be licensed by endorsement in this state. The board shall adopt rules with the intent to expedite the licensure by endorsement process, including eliminating duplicative requirements and streamlining the pathway to licensure. The bill also requires the board to expedite the process by which an individual who is registered as a veterinary technician in another state may obtain a registration by endorsement in Colorado. The board is required to develop a list of states that have equivalent or substantially equivalent registration requirements as Colorado and a list of states that have less stringent registration requirements than Colorado. Where an individual is registered will determine the process by which the individual may be registered by endorsement in this state. The board must also require a veterinary technician from another state to receive approval from a veterinary technician credentialing organization in Colorado before applying for a registration by endorsement. The bill clarifies that a veterinarian who administers, dispenses, distributes, or prescribes medicine to a patient in an emergency situation is not acting as a pharmacist or conducting the practice of pharmacy, and, as such, is not subject to discipline by the state board of pharmacy. The bill relocates certain provisions specific to the practice of veterinary medicine from regulation by the state board of pharmacy to regulation under Colorado's veterinary practice act. Under current law, the board must approve a credentialing organization for the purpose of credentialing veterinary technicians, which credentialing organization must require the completion of an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited program for veterinary technicians. The bill updates the requirement to require the completion of an accredited program for veterinary technicians offered by other associations. The bill also establishes a veterinary prescription drug donation program. An owner of an animal may donate unused veterinary drugs that have been prescribed to the owner to a licensed veterinarian or an animal shelter. The licensed veterinarian or animal shelter may use any drugs accepted through donation if the veterinarian meets certain conditions.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)