TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Emergency Regulation

Title of Regulation: 18VAC150-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine (adding 18VAC150-20-136).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Dates: September 16, 2026, through March 15, 2028.

Agency Contact: Kelli Moss, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 597-4133, fax (804) 767-1011, or email kelli.moss@dhp.virginia.gov.

Preamble:

Section 2.2-4011 B of the Code of Virginia states that agencies may adopt emergency regulations in situations in which Virginia statutory law or the appropriation act or federal law or federal regulation requires that a regulation be effective in 280 days or less from its enactment, and the regulation is not exempt under the provisions of § 2.2-4006 A 4 of the Code of Virginia.

Pursuant to Chapter 307 of the 2024 Acts of Assembly, the amendments provide for the limited practice of veterinarian trainees.

18VAC150-20-136. Limited practice of veterinary medicine; traineeships.

A. For purposes of this section:

1. "Limited practice of veterinary medicine" means practice under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

2. "Veterinarian trainee" means an individual who meets the requirements of subsection B of this section.

B. An applicant for licensure as a veterinarian may perform the limited practice of veterinary medicine as part of a traineeship under the following conditions:

1. The applicant is a graduate of either:

a. A college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA;

b. A program that fulfills the educational requirements of the Educational Commission of Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the AVMA; or

c. A program that fulfills the educational requirements of the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence of the AAVSB or any other substantially equivalent credentialing body as determined by the board; and

2. The applicant has not passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination in one attempt but has not failed the examination more than twice.

C. A veterinary trainee may practice with the designated title of "veterinarian trainee."

D. The veterinarian trainee may perform the limited practice of veterinary medicine for nine months following graduation.

E. The licensed veterinarian directly supervising the veterinarian trainee shall hold an unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in the Commonwealth.

F. Disclosure and informed consent.

1. When a veterinarian trainee is practicing in the establishment, the supervising veterinarian shall disclose such practice to owners. The disclosure shall be by signage clearly visible to the public or by inclusion on an informed consent form.

2. Prior to allowing a veterinarian trainee to perform surgery or administer anesthesia or sedation to a patient, a licensed veterinarian shall receive written informed consent from the owner.

G. Whenever a veterinarian trainee is performing surgery on a patient or administering anesthesia or sedation, the supervising veterinarian shall provide direct, immediate, and in-person supervision during the procedure.

H. A veterinarian supervising a veterinarian trainee remains responsible for the care and treatment of the patient.