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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
veterinary technicians; certification; education alternative
Purpose
Adds an alternative pathway for a person to be certified as a veterinary technician in lieu of the prescribed educational requirements.
Background
The Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board (Board) is charged with protecting the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified, impaired or unprofessional practitioners of veterinary medicine through licensure and regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine and the voluntary certification of veterinary technicians (A.R.S. § 32-2207).
A person desiring to be certified as a veterinary technician must apply in writing to the Board and meet the following requirements: 1) be at least 18 years old; 2) submit satisfactory evidence of graduation from a two-year curriculum in veterinary technology, or the equivalent of such graduation as determined by the Board, in a college or other institution approved by the Board; 3) pass a national and state veterinary technician examination as adopted by the Board in rules; and 4) pay all applicable fees. A certified veterinary technician may perform those services, authorized by the Board in accordance with statute, in the employment of and under the direction, supervision and control of a licensed veterinarian who must be responsible for the performance of the certified veterinary technician (A.R.S. §§ 32-2201 and 32-2242).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows an applicant for a veterinary technician certification to submit to the Board, in lieu of educational requirements, a record of having five years of on-the-job training under the supervision of an established nonprofit in Arizona that works with animals and partners with a veterinary school or working for five years under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian where skills are learned in accordance with the veterinary technology student essential and recommended skill prescribed by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Center for Veterinary Education Accreditation's policies and procedures.
2. Requires the Board adopt rules governing the hours required for each skill.
3. Allows an applicant who satisfies the requirements for the alternative route of certification to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination and any state examination for veterinary technicians approved by the Board.
4. Requires the supervised work or training of the applicant to be under the supervision of an established nonprofit in Arizona that works with animals and partners with a veterinary school.
5. Requires the supervised work or training of the applicant to be subject to the approval of the Board and include:
a) a description of the skill or skills the applicant developed; and
b) the signature of the licensed veterinarian who directly supervised the applicant while the applicant worked on the skill.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Specifies that an applicant may apply for a veterinary technician certification using the alternative pathway through December 31, 2030.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Removes the specification that an applicant may apply for a veterinary technician certification using the alternative pathway through December 31, 2030.
2. Increases, from two to five, the years of on-the-job training or work experience required for an applicant to submit to the Board in lieu of educational requirements.
3. Specifies that the supervised work or training must occur under the supervision of an established nonprofit in Arizona that works with animals and partners with a veterinary school.
Senate Action
RAGE 2/19/25 DPA 4-2-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2025
JT/KP/ci