California Veterinary Medical Board takes no position on AB 516 expanding RVT/assistant tasks
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Summary
The California Veterinary Medical Board discussed AB 516, a bill that would authorize registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to perform certain animal health care services, including some dental procedures, under veterinarian supervision; the board did not adopt a formal position.
The California Veterinary Medical Board discussed Assembly Bill 516 during its legislative update, focusing on language that would authorize registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants to perform animal health care services under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian and to provide certain services in public and private animal shelters.
Board staff summarized the bill and identified a regulatory conformity issue: if Business and Professions Code section 4840 is not amended, the board may need to review and revise California Code of Regulations sections 20.35, 20.306, and 20.36.5 to ensure they conform with any statutory change. Staff also noted the bill would explicitly allow an RVT to perform dental procedures, including tooth extractions, under veterinarian supervision.
Board members asked clarifying questions about which out-of-state or military-affiliated practitioners would be authorized to practice in California under recent federal rules and whether the board would itself authorize such practice. Staff replied that federal law (the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and related federal provisions) allows certain licensed out-of-state or active military practitioners to be registered via a DCA process, and that the board’s role in that pathway is to document receipt of the registration information rather than to grant the authorization.
After discussion, the board did not propose a position on AB 516 and moved on to the next item. No motion to support or oppose was made at the meeting.
The transcript shows staff cautioned about regulatory changes that may be required if the bill is enacted and members asked for clarity on supervision and the interplay with federal registration pathways. The board deferred formal action on the bill at this meeting.
Ending: The board left AB 516 without a formal position and requested no immediate regulatory action; staff flagged potential CCR sections for later review if statutory changes occur.