Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 17 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESSES (§§ 17-1-101 — 17-107-311) › Subtitle 3 - MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (§§ 17-80-101 — 17-107-311) › Chapter 101 - VETERINARIANS AND ANIMAL TECHNICIANS (§§ 17-101-101 — 17-101-320) › Subchapter 3 - LICENSING (§§ 17-101-301 — 17-101-320) › Section 17-101-306 - Veterinary technician, veterinary technologist, and veterinary technician specialist - Certification

(a)
A person shall not assist in the practice of veterinary medicine as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist without first applying for and obtaining a certification from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission and having his or her employment with a licensed veterinarian registered with the commission.
(b)
(1)
An applicant for certification as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist in this state may make written application to the commission showing that he or she is:
(A)
A citizen of the United States or an applicant for citizenship; and
(B)
A person of moral integrity and acceptable ethical standards.
(2)
The application for certification as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist in the State of Arkansas shall be written, signed by the applicant, and submitted to the commission at least thirty (30) days before the examination, including without limitation the information set forth in this subdivision (b)(2), and the application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee established by the commission:
(A)
A current photograph of the applicant;
(B)
(i)
A copy of the applicant's diploma or its equivalent from a college-level program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
(ii)
If the applicant has not graduated at the time of application, an affidavit from the program certifying the applicant's ability to graduate may be accepted with a copy of the diploma or its equivalent submitted upon availability;
(C)
A certified copy of college transcripts;
(D)
A passing score on the National Board Examination or Veterinary Technician National Examination, or future equivalent, reported through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards or its successor; and
(E)
A letter of recommendation signed by a veterinarian who is licensed in this state or another state, territory, or district of the United States and notarized.
(3)
This section does not prevent the commission from issuing a certification by endorsement to an applicant who:
(A)
Holds a certification, or its equivalent, as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist in another state, territory, or district of the United States;
(B)
Is not a respondent in any pending or unresolved board action in any state, territory, or district of the United States;
(C)
Has a passing score on the National Board Examination or Veterinary Technician National Examination, or its future equivalent, reported through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards or its successor;
(D)
Submits a completed application, including without limitation a letter of recommendation that is:
(i)
Signed by a veterinarian;
(ii)
Notarized by a notary public; and
(iii)
Accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee established by the commission; and
(E)
Signs a statement attesting that he or she has read and understands this chapter and the rules adopted by the commission governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Arkansas.
(c)
(1)
A veterinary technician or veterinary technologist shall annually register his or her employment with the commission, stating:
(A)
His or her name and current address;
(B)
The name and office address of both his or her employer and the supervising licensed veterinarian; and
(C)
Any additional information required by the commission.
(2)
Upon any change of employment as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist, the certification is inactive until:
(A)
New employment as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist has been obtained; and
(B)
The commission has been notified in writing of the new employment.
(d)
(1)
A veterinary technician or veterinary technologist shall perform veterinary technology under the direction, supervision, and responsibility of the licensed veterinarian with whom he or she is employed.
(2)
Supervision of a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist may be direct supervision, indirect supervision, or immediate supervision.
(3)
A veterinarian who utilizes indirect supervision of a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist shall:
(A)
Retain control of and authority over the care of the animal; and
(B)
Review all recordkeeping and notes documented by the veterinary technician or veterinary technologist on the charts regarding the care of the animal.
(e)
The commission shall promulgate rules to establish the appropriate level of supervision under which a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist can perform veterinary technology.
(f)
(1)
A licensed veterinarian using, supervising, or employing a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist is individually responsible and liable for the performance of the acts and omissions delegated to the veterinary technician or veterinary technologist.
(2)
This subsection does not relieve a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist of any responsibility and liability for any of his or her own acts and omissions.
(g)
A licensed veterinarian shall not establish a separate office or clinic in a location other than his or her regular office and place the separate office or clinic under the control or supervision of a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist.
(h)
(1)
This section does not prevent a licensed veterinarian from utilizing the services of an employee to perform services not requiring the skill and judgment of a veterinary technician, veterinary technologist, or veterinary technician specialist, if the services performed by the employee are under the direct personal supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(2)
An employee described under subdivision (h)(1) of this section shall not be identified as a "veterinary technician", "animal technician", "technician", "veterinary technologist", "animal technologist", "technologist", or "veterinary technician specialist".
(i)
A veterinary technician, veterinary technologist, or veterinary technician specialist shall not receive a fee or other compensation for veterinary services or veterinary technology services other than the salary or other compensation paid to the veterinary technician, veterinary technologist, or veterinary technician specialist by the veterinary clinic, veterinary practice, or veterinarian by which he or she is employed.
(j)
[Repealed.]
Amended by Act 2023, No. 161,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 160, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 159, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 158, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 1662, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 169,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1975, No. 650, § 9; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-1140; Acts 1993, No. 1198, § 1; 1995, No. 1348, § 4.