§ 4826.7. — 4826.7. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 589, Sec. 1.)

(a)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)
“Private animal shelter” means a not-for-profit organization that has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, whose purpose and practice is, in whole or significant part, the care of animals and placement of animals into permanent homes through adoption.
(2)
“Veterinarian”
means a California licensed veterinarian.
(b)
A veterinarian may authorize a registered veterinary technician to act as an agent of the veterinarian for the purpose of establishing the veterinarian-client-patient relationship to administer preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites if all of the following conditions are met:
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the registered
veterinary technician administers preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites in a registered veterinary premises when the veterinarian is physically present at the registered veterinary premises.
(2)
If working at a location other than a registered veterinary premises, or in a registered veterinary premises that is a public animal control agency or shelter, private animal shelter, humane society shelter, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, the registered veterinary technician administers preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites when the veterinarian is in the general vicinity or available by telephone
and is quickly and easily available. At this location, the registered veterinary technician shall have equipment and drugs necessary to provide immediate emergency care at a level commensurate with the provision of preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites.
(3)
The registered veterinary technician examines the animal patient and administers preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites in accordance with written protocols and procedures established by the veterinarian, which shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(A)
Obtaining the animal patient’s history from the client in order to
reasonably ensure that the administration of preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or
eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites is appropriate.
(B)
Data that must be collected by physical examination of the animal patient in order to reasonably ensure that the administration of preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites is appropriate.
(C)
Information in the patient history or physical examination results that would preclude the administration of preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites.
(D)
Criteria that would disqualify the animal patient from receiving the preventive
or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or
external parasites.
(E)
Vaccination protocols for each animal species for which preventive or prophylactic vaccines are administered, that include, at a minimum, handling and administration of vaccines in accordance with manufacturer label recommendations and what to do in the event of an adverse reaction or other emergency.
(F)
Preventative procedures for parasite control for each animal species for which medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites are being administered, which shall include, at a minimum, handling and administration of medications in accordance with manufacturer label recommendations and what to do in the event of an adverse reaction or other emergency.
(G)
Documentation of all of the following animal patient information:
(i)
Name or initials of the person responsible for entries.
(ii)
Name, address, and phone number of the client.
(iii)
Name or identity of the animal, herd, or flock.
(iv)
Except for herds or flocks, age, sex, breed, species, and color of the animal.
(v)
Beginning and ending dates of custody of the animal, if applicable.
(vi)
A history or pertinent information as it pertains to each
animal’s, herd’s, or flock’s medical status.
(vii)
Data, including that obtained by instrumentation, from the physical examination.
(viii)
Treatment and intended treatment plan, including medications, dosages, route of administration, and frequency of use.
(ix)
Diagnosis or assessment before performing a treatment or procedure.
(x)
If relevant, a prognosis of the animal’s condition.
(xi)
All medications and treatments prescribed and dispensed, including strength, dosage, route of administration, quantity, and frequency of use.
(4)
The veterinarian and the registered veterinary technician sign and date a statement containing an assumption of risk by the veterinarian for all acts of the registered veterinary technician related to examining the animal patient and administering preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites, short of willful acts of animal cruelty, gross negligence, or gross unprofessional conduct on behalf of the registered veterinary technician.
(5)
The veterinarian and the registered veterinary technician sign
and date a statement containing authorization for the registered veterinary technician to act as the agent of the veterinarian only to establish the veterinarian-client-patient relationship for purposes of administering preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites when acting in compliance with the protocols and procedures specified in paragraph (3), and only until the date the veterinarian terminates authorization for the registered veterinary technician to act as the agent of the veterinarian.
(6)
(A)
Before the registered veterinary technician examines or administers any preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites to the animal patient,
the registered veterinary technician informs the client verbally or in writing that the registered veterinary technician is acting as an agent of the veterinarian for purposes of administering to the animal patient preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications, as applicable, and provides the veterinarian’s name and license number to the client.
(B)
After providing the disclosure specified in subparagraph (A), the registered veterinary technician records in the animal patient’s medical record the verbal or written authorization of the client to proceed with the registered veterinary technician’s examination of the animal patient and administration of the specified vaccine or medication.
(c)
(1)
Documentation relating to satisfaction of the requirements
of paragraphs (4) and (5) of subdivision (b) shall be retained by the veterinarian for the duration of the registered veterinary technician’s work as an agent of that veterinarian and until three years from the date of the termination of the veterinarian’s relationship with the registered veterinary technician.
(2)
Documentation relating to satisfaction of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) shall be retained by the veterinarian for a minimum of three years after the animal patient’s last visit.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 589, Sec. 1. (SB 602) Effective January 1, 2026.