KRS § 321.441 — KY Code / Title XXVI / Chapter 321 / Section 321.441
321.441 Veterinary technician's license -- Qualifications -- Scope of practice -- Annual fee -- Exception
Status: in_force

321.441 Veterinary technician's license -- Qualifications -- Scope of practice --

Annual fee -- Exception.

(1) The board shall issue a license as a veterinary technician to an applicant who:

(a) Is a graduate of an approved veterinary technology program with an associate

or bachelor's degree related to veterinary technology;

(b) Obtains a passing score on an examination as determined by the board to

assess the qualifications and fitness of an applicant to engage in the practice;

(c) Is a person of good moral character. As one (1) element of good moral

character, the board shall require each applicant for licensure to submit a full

set of the applicant's fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining criminal records

checks, pursuant to applicable law. All good moral character information,

including the information obtained through the criminal background checks,

shall be relevant to licensure eligibility determinations to the extent permitted

by law;

(d) Has met all the requirements of the board as established by administrative

regulation of the board; and

(e) Has been approved for licensure by the board.

(2) For the purpose of this chapter, "veterinary technician," "veterinary technologist,"

"veterinary nurse," or any other category of veterinary technician defined by the

board in administrative regulation shall have the same meaning as "veterinary

technician" under this chapter.

(3) The board shall promulgate administrative regulations for one (1) or more

categories of veterinary technicians defining the:

(a) Minimum qualifications required;

(b) Specific tasks that the licensee may perform under a veterinarian's

supervision; and

(c) Specific tasks that the licensee shall not perform.

(4) A veterinary technician shall be prohibited from performing the activities listed in

KRS 321.190(6).

(5) The practice of veterinary technology by telehealth or other means shall constitute

the practice of veterinary technology subject to licensure and enforcement by the

board.

(6) A veterinary technician who performs veterinary technology contrary to this chapter

and its associated administrative regulations shall be subject to disciplinary actions

in a manner consistent with this chapter applicable to licensed veterinarians.

(7) Each veterinary technician licensed by the board shall pay an annual fee as

prescribed by the board.

(8) Each veterinary technician licensed by the board shall complete annual continuing

education hours to renew the license as required by the board in administrative

regulation.

(9) Failure to renew shall result in the expiration of the license.

(10) A veterinarian shall utilize the services of a licensed veterinary technician in

accordance with the terms and provisions of this chapter and its associated

administrative regulations. Unauthorized utilization of licensed veterinary

technicians by veterinarians shall be considered as aiding and abetting any

unlicensed person to practice veterinary medicine as described in KRS 321.351.

(11) Nothing in this section shall prohibit volunteer health practitioners from providing

services under KRS 39A.350 to 39A.366.

(12) Except as authorized by KRS 321.200, no person shall practice as a veterinary

technician or perform any of the duties usually performed by a veterinary technician

unless the person holds a license to practice as a veterinary technician issued and

validly existing under this chapter.