(1)
There is hereby created a state board of veterinary medicine consisting of nine
members appointed by the governor. Each member shall be appointed for a term of
four years. The governor shall appoint members of the board from qualified persons
as described in subsection (2) of this section. The governor shall appoint members
to fill vacancies on the board caused by death, resignation, or removal for the
balance of the unexpired term. A person shall not serve more than two consecutive
four-year terms. A person appointed to serve out the balance of an unexpired term
may be reappointed for an additional consecutive four-year term. Members of the
board may remain on the board until a successor is appointed.
(1.5) The state board of veterinary medicine is a type 1 entity, as defined in
section 24-1-105.
(2) The governor shall appoint:
(a) Five members to the board who:
(I) Are graduates of a school of veterinary medicine;
(II) Are residents of this state; and
(III) Have been licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state for the
five years preceding the time of the appointment;
(b) Not later than March 1, 2023, two members to the board who are
residents of this state and who, for at least five years immediately preceding the
time of appointment:
(I) Have been certified by a Colorado association of veterinary technicians;
and
(II) Have been practicing as veterinary technicians in this state; and
(c) Two members to the board from the public at large who have no financial
or professional association with the veterinary profession.
(3) The governor may remove a member of the board for misconduct,
incompetence, or neglect of duty or other sufficient cause.
(4) The board shall meet at least once each quarter during the year at a time
and place fixed by the board. Other meetings may be called from time to time by
the president of the board. Except as otherwise provided, a majority of the board
constitutes a quorum. Meetings shall be conducted as provided in article 6 of title
24.
(5) The board has the power to:
(a) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (5)(a) is effective until January 1,
2026. ] Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a
license to practice veterinary medicine, for registration as a veterinary technician,
or for designation as a veterinary technician specialist in this state;
(a) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (5)(a) is effective January 1,
2026. ] Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a
license to practice veterinary medicine, for registration as a veterinary technician or
veterinary professional associate, or for designation as a veterinary technician
specialist in this state;
(b) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (5)(b) is effective until January 1,
2026. ] Pursuant to section 12-20-404, issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke
licenses to practice veterinary medicine, registrations of veterinary technicians, and
designations of registered veterinary technicians as veterinary technician
specialists in the state or otherwise discipline or fine, or both, licensees or
registrants consistent with this article 315 and the rules adopted by the board
under this article 315;
(b) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (5)(b) is effective January 1,
2026. ] Pursuant to section 12-20-404, issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke
licenses to practice veterinary medicine, registrations of veterinary technicians and
veterinary professional associates, and designations of registered veterinary
technicians as veterinary technician specialists in the state or otherwise discipline
or fine, or both, licensees or registrants consistent with this article 315 and the
rules adopted by the board under this article 315;
(c) Regulate artificial insemination and ova transplantation of cattle or other
animal species by establishing rules for standards of practice, including rules
relating to methods and procedures for safe artificial insemination and ova
transplantation;
(d) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (5)(d) is effective until January 1,
2026. ] Establish, pursuant to section 12-20-105, and publish annually a schedule of
fees for licensing and registration of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The
board shall base the fee on its anticipated financial requirements for the year.
(d) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (5)(d) is effective January 1,
2026. ] Establish, pursuant to section 12-20-105, and publish annually a schedule of
fees for licensing and registration of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and
veterinary professional associates. The board shall base the fee on its anticipated
financial requirements for the year.
(e) Conduct disciplinary proceedings in accordance with section 12-20-403;
(f) Bring proceedings in the courts for the enforcement of this article 315 or
any rules made by the board;
(g) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules in accordance with section 12-20-204. The
board shall adopt rules to establish a uniform system and schedule of fines that it
may impose on licensees or registrants for violations of this article 315 or of rules
adopted pursuant to this article 315.
(h) Issue a cease-and-desist order in accordance with section 12-20-405;
(i) Impose fines against corporations in accordance with section 12-315-122
(2).
(j) [ Editor's note: Subsection (5)(j) is effective January 1, 2026. ] Adopt rules
to approve a nationally recognized veterinary professional associate credentialing
organization for purposes of credentialing veterinary professional associates in this
state. The credentialing organization approved by the board must:
(I) Require completion of a university-approved program for veterinary
professional associates that:
(A) If completed before September 1, 2033, must be approved by the board;
or
(B) If completed on or after September 1, 2033, must be accredited by a
nationally recognized accrediting organization or equivalent organization, as
approved by the board;
(II) Require that an applicant pass a veterinary professional associate
national examination that has been approved by the board; and
(III) Require continuing education for veterinary professional associates.
(6) The board may, at any time, inspect veterinary premises to assure that
they are clean and sanitary.
(7) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (7) is effective until January 1,
2026. ] The powers of the board are granted to enable the board to effectively
supervise the practice of veterinary medicine and of veterinary technicians and are
to be construed liberally to accomplish this objective.
(7) [ Editor's note: This version of subsection (7) is effective January 1, 2026. ] The powers of the board are granted to enable the board to effectively supervise
the practice of veterinary medicine and of veterinary technicians and veterinary
professional associates and are to be construed liberally to accomplish this
objective.
(8) The board shall consult with the state physical therapy board created in
section 12-285-105 concerning rules that the board intends to adopt with regard to
physical therapy of animals.
(9) (a) The board may promulgate rules regarding the use of telehealth to
provide veterinary services in Colorado pursuant to part 3 of this article 315.
(b) In developing rules pursuant to subsection (9)(a) of this section, the board
shall consult with licensed veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, clients,
and other relevant stakeholders as determined by the board.
(10) [ Editor's note: Subsection (10) is effective January 1, 2026. ]
(a) The board may establish by rule an equivalent registration pathway for a
veterinary technician specialist to register as a veterinary professional associate.
(b) In establishing the equivalent registration pathway, the board:
(I) May consider the experience, education, and training of a veterinary
technician who is designated as a veterinary technician specialist pursuant to
section 12-315-203 (4.5) to be equivalent to the education requirements for a
veterinary professional associate required by section 12-315-203.7 (2)(a); and
(II) Shall require a veterinary technician specialist to pass the same national
credentialing exam to demonstrate entry-level competency to practice as a
veterinary professional associate, as approved by the board.