Senate committee forwards AB 516 to clarify veterinary technician and assistant duties

Assemblymember Kalra presented AB 516 on June 9, saying the measure clarifies the scope of practice for registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants so shelters and clinics can deploy trained staff more fully.

Kalra said current regulations’ long, enumerated lists can create the misimpression that technicians and assistants may not perform tasks outside those lists, which discourages delegation and aggravates the state’s veterinary care shortage. He cited a February 2023 UC Davis shelter medicine survey that, he said, showed 25 percent of California animal shelters lacked adequate veterinary staffing and 64 percent could not address basic medical needs.

Dr. Grant Miller, director of regulatory affairs for the California Veterinary Medical Association, testified the bill would clarify that, unless expressly prohibited by law, RVTs and veterinary assistants may perform authorized tasks — including dental procedures such as extractions — under veterinarian supervision. Witnesses emphasized delegation remains at the discretion of supervising veterinarians.

Members asked about training and licensing differences: witnesses said RVTs are licensed by the Veterinary Medical Board; veterinary assistants may be permitted for certain duties (for example, to handle controlled substances) and many receive on‑the‑job training. Senator Archuleta and other members voiced support and moved the bill.

The committee recorded the item as passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 9 with an 8‑0 tally in the day’s roll call.