TX Occ Code § 801.002 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Occupations Code|Title 4 - Professions Related to Animals|Chapter 801 - Veterinarians|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 801.002. Definitions

Sec. 801.002.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:(1)  "Board" means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.(1-a)  "Certified veterinary assistant" means a person who has been certified as a certified veterinary assistant by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and is employed by a licensed veterinarian.(2)  "Compensation" includes a fee, monetary reward, discount, or emolument, whether received directly or indirectly.(3)  "Direct supervision" means supervision of a person by a responsible veterinarian who is physically present on the premises.(3-a)  "Equine dentistry" means any diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedure performed on the head or oral cavity of an equine animal.  The term includes:(A)  any procedure that invades the tissues of the oral cavity, including a procedure to:(i)  remove sharp enamel projections;(ii)  treat malocclusions of the teeth;(iii)  reshape teeth; and(iv)  extract one or more teeth;(B)  the treatment or extraction of damaged or diseased teeth;(C)  the treatment of diseased teeth through restoration and endodontic procedures;(D)  periodontal treatments, including:(i)  the removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, and stains above the gum line; and(ii)  the smoothing, filing, and polishing of tooth surfaces; and(E)  dental radiography.(4)  "General supervision" means supervision of a person by a responsible veterinarian who is readily available to communicate with the person.(4-a)  "Immediate supervision" means supervision by a person who is within audible and visual range of both the animal patient and the person under supervision.(4-b)  "Licensed equine dental provider" means a person who holds a license to practice equine dentistry issued under this chapter.(4-c)  "Licensed veterinary technician" means a person licensed as a veterinary technician by the board.(5)  "Practice of veterinary medicine" means:(A)  the diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, manipulation, relief, or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical condition, including the prescription or administration of a drug, biologic, anesthetic, apparatus, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique;(B)  the representation of an ability and willingness to perform an act listed in Paragraph (A);(C)  the use of a title, a word, or letters to induce the belief that a person is legally authorized and qualified to perform an act listed in Paragraph (A);  or(D)  the receipt of compensation for performing an act listed in Paragraph (A).(6)  "Veterinarian" means a person licensed by the board under this chapter to practice veterinary medicine.(6-a)  "Veterinary assistant" means a person who:(A)  is employed by a licensed veterinarian;(B)  performs tasks related to animal care; and(C)  is not a certified veterinary assistant or a licensed veterinary technician.(7)  "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, reproduction and obstetrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and any other discipline or specialty of veterinary medicine.|Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 940 (H.B. 414), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 481 (S.B. 1312), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.|