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Veterinary Medical Board reports faster licensing and a jump in inspections, asks for narrow changes to owner-exemption
Summary
The Veterinary Medical Board told lawmakers it has reduced processing times, increased inspections and closed more complaints after merging inspection and enforcement units, but the board and stakeholders urged a narrowly drawn revision to the owner-exemption to prevent unlicensed practitioners from harming animals.
The California Veterinary Medical Board told a joint Assembly and Senate sunset hearing that it has streamlined licensing and enforcement processes, increased inspections and adopted a strategic plan aimed at expanding access to veterinary services while strengthening consumer protections.
Board president Maria Salasito, vice president Christy Pawlowski and executive officer Jessica Seiferman summarized reforms the board has implemented since its last sunset review, including electronic exam reporting via the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), more efficient subject-matter-expert (SME) screening, quarterly SME roundtables and a merger of inspection and enforcement units.
What the board reported - Licensing and testing: The board implemented an interface with AAVSB to receive electronic exam scores directly, shortening score-reporting wait times from as long as six weeks to under one week, the board said. - Inspections and enforcement: After merging inspection and enforcement units, the board reported a 343% increase in inspections and said it closed 262% more complaints in…
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