2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 12 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (§§ 12-1-101 — 12-315-310) › HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (§§ 12-170-101 — 12-315-310) › Article 315 - VETERINARIANS AND VETERINARY TECHNICIANS (§§ 12-315-101 — 12-315-310) › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 12-315-101 — 12-315-126) › Section 12-315-105.5 - [Effective 8/7/2024] Delegation to and supervision of veterinary technicians, veterinary technician specialists, and other qualified personnel - rules

(1)
A licensed veterinarian may delegate tasks in accordance with this section and rules adopted by the board pursuant to this section.
(2)
A licensed veterinarian shall establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship before the veterinarian delegates a task to a veterinary technician, a veterinary technician specialist, or other qualified personnel.
(3)
(a)
When determining whether to delegate a task to a veterinary technician, a veterinary technician specialist, or other qualified personnel, a licensed veterinarian shall consider:
(I)
The level of education, skills, training, licensing, and experience of the veterinary technician, the veterinary technician specialist, or other qualified personnel;
(II)
The appropriate level of supervision for the delegated task pursuant to subsections (4), (6), and (7) of this section and, if rules have been established by the board, any applicable rules established by the board pursuant to subsection (4) of this section; and
(III)
Whether the delegation of the task complies with all applicable state and federal laws.
(b)
(I)
If a licensed veterinarian delegates a task to a veterinary technician, veterinary technician specialist, or other qualified personnel and that task is covered by rules established pursuant to subsection (4) of this section or an applicable board rule, the licensed veterinarian must provide supervision at least at the level of supervision prescribed by rule.
(II)
If a licensed veterinarian delegates a task to a veterinary technician, veterinary technician specialist, or other qualified personnel and that task is not covered by rules established pursuant to subsection (4) of this section or an applicable board rule, the licensed veterinarian may delegate the task at an appropriate level of supervision, as determined by the licensed veterinarian in accordance with this part 1.
(4)
On or before September 1, 2025, the board shall adopt rules regarding the following tasks that a licensed veterinarian may delegate to a veterinary technician or a veterinary technician specialist and the stated level of supervision to perform those tasks:
(a)
A licensed veterinarian may delegate the following tasks to a veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist who is under the licensed veterinarian's immediate supervision:
(I)
Assisting in surgical procedures; and
(II)
The placement of abdominal, thoracic, esophagostomy, or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes.
(b)
A licensed veterinarian may delegate the following tasks to a veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist who is under at least direct supervision by the licensed veterinarian:
(I)
Dental procedures, including, at a minimum:
(A)
Removing calculus, soft deposits, plaque, and stains;
(B)
Smoothing, filing, and polishing of teeth;
(C)
Single root extractions that do not require sectioning of the tooth or sectioning of the bone; and
(D)
Suturing a gingival incision;
(II)
Placement of epidural and intraosseous catheters;
(III)
Suturing, stapling, or gluing an existing surgical skin incision; and
(IV)
Treatment of minor medical conditions, as determined by the licensed veterinarian, if:
(A)
The veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist has the training and competency to perform the treatment;
(B)
The treatment is performed in consultation with the licensed veterinarian or under previously established written protocols; and
(C)
The licensed veterinarian is available to manage the case if it is determined that the condition of the patient requires care beyond the abilities of the veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist.
(c)
A licensed veterinarian may delegate the following tasks to a veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist who is under at least indirect supervision by the licensed veterinarian:
(I)
Unless prohibited by state or federal law, the administration and application of treatments, including:
(A)
Prescription drugs;
(B)
Medications;
(C)
Controlled substances;
(D)
Enemas; and
(E)
Biological immunological agents;
(II)
Intravenous and intra-arterial catheterizations and maintenance;
(III)
Imaging, including radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fluoroscopy and the administration of radiopaque agents or materials;
(IV)
Unless prohibited by state or federal law, the collection of:
(A)
Blood;
(B)
Cellular or microbiological samples through skin scrapings, impressions, or other nonsurgical methods; and
(C)
Urine through bladder expression, unobstructed catheterization, cystocentesis, or insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter;
(V)
Monitoring of:
(A)
An electrocardiogram, or "EKG";
(B)
Blood pressure; and
(C)
Carbon dioxide and blood oxygen saturation;
(VI)
Clinical laboratory test procedures;
(VII)
Handling and disposing of biohazardous waste materials;
(VIII)
Implantation of a subcutaneous microchip;
(IX)
Administration of a therapeutic laser, except for the use of surgical lasers;
(X)
Application of animal rehabilitation therapies;
(XI)
Ocular tonometry, Schirmer tear tests, or fluorescein stain application;
(XII)
Suture and staple removal;
(XIII)
Application of splints and slings for the temporary immobilization of fractures;
(XIV)
Administration of chemotherapy or radiation therapy;
(XV)
Reproductive ultrasound and semen evaluation;
(XVI)
Blood or blood component collection, preparation, and administration for transfusion or blood banking purposes;
(XVII)
Placement of gastric, nasogastric, or nasoesophageal tubes;
(XVIII)
Fluid aspiration from a body cavity or organ;
(XIX)
Minor wound management;
(XX)
Placement of nasal catheters; and
(XXI)
Emergency patient care, such as:
(A)
Application of tourniquets or pressure procedures to control hemorrhage;
(B)
Application of appropriate wound dressings;
(C)
Resuscitative oxygen procedures;
(D)
Anti-seizure treatment;
(E)
Supportive treatment in heat prostration cases;
(F)
Administration of a drug, controlled substance, or parenteral fluids to manage and control pain, prevent further injury, prevent or control shock, or prevent the suffering of an animal, up to and including euthanasia; and
(G)
Initiation and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or "CPR", including administration of medication and defibrillation, and immediate post-resuscitation care.
(5)
(a)
In promulgating rules pursuant to this section related to the delegation of tasks and supervision of veterinary professionals or other personnel, the board shall:
(I)
Consult with licensed veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, veterinary technician specialists, clients, and other relevant stakeholders, as determined by the board; and
(II)
Permit a veterinary technician specialist to perform any task under at least indirect supervision by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with subsection (6) of this section.
(b)
The board shall review and update the rules promulgated pursuant to this section as necessary to account for developments in the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology.
(6)
A licensed veterinarian may delegate any task to a veterinary technician specialist who is under at least indirect supervision by the licensed veterinarian if the licensed veterinarian determines the task is within the veterinary technician specialist's training, experience, and competency and is otherwise not in conflict with this article 315, an applicable board rule, or any other state or federal law.
(7)
Notwithstanding any provision of this article 315, an applicable board rule, or any other state or federal law, a licensed veterinarian may delegate a task to an individual who is not a veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist if the veterinarian determines that the task is within the individual's training and experience and the individual is under the veterinarian's direct or immediate supervision; except that the treatment of minor medical conditions may only be delegated to a veterinary technician or veterinary technician specialist in accordance with subsection (4)(b)(IV) of this section.
Added by 2024 Ch. 36,§ 4, eff. 8/7/2024.
2024 Ch. 36, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).