1. (1) The following conduct is unprofessional and violates Section 34-29-94(j) of the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act and is grounds for disciplinary action by the board.

   1. (a) Practicing or offering to practice as a licensed veterinary technician without being employed and supervised by a licensed veterinarian;
   2. (b) Accepting payment for services rendered as a licensed veterinary technician from someone other than the veterinary technician’s employer;
   3. (c) Compromising the confidentiality of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship;
   4. (d) Failing to acknowledge that the licensed veterinary technician is not a licensed veterinarian or that the veterinary technician is an employee of a veterinarian;
   5. (e) Undertaking procedures or performing treatment that has not been authorized by the supervising veterinarian;
   6. (f) Undertaking procedures or performing treatment that the licensed veterinary technician is not trained or competent to perform;
   7. (g) Soliciting patients for any practitioner of veterinary medicine;
   8. (h) Willfully or negligently divulging professional information or discussing a veterinarian’s diagnosis or treatment without the express permission of the veterinarian;
   9. (i) Being unable to practice as a licensed veterinary technician with reasonable skill and safety to patients because of the use of drugs, alcohol, narcotics, chemicals or as a result of any mental or physical condition;
   10. (j) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license to practice as a licensed veterinary technician in the State of Alabama, or for any other purpose;
   11. (k) Impersonating another person licensed as a licensed veterinary technician or allowing any person to use the licensee’s license;
   12. (l) Aiding or abetting the practice of veterinary medicine or veterinary technology by a person not licensed by the board;
   13. (m) Gross negligence or malpractice in the performance of duties, tasks or functions assigned to a licensed veterinary technician by a licensed veterinarian;
   14. (n) Demonstrating incapacity or incompetence to perform as a licensed veterinary technician,
   15. (o) Giving false sworn information in testimony or affidavit about the content of clinical records or the rendering of patient care in the course of practice as a licensed veterinary technician;
   16. (p) Cruelty to animals;
   17. (q) Any conduct unbecoming a person identified as a licensed veterinary technician, reflecting negatively on the veterinary medical profession or detrimental to the best interests of the public;
   18. (r) Conviction of a felony or conviction of any offense punishable by incarceration in either a state or federal penitentiary. A copy of the record of conviction, certified by the clerk of the court entering the conviction, shall be conclusive evidence of such punishment;
   19. (s) Failure of a licensed veterinary technician to annually renew the license to practice veterinary technology or to satisfy the annual continuing education requirement;

Author: Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-29-69.

History: New Rule: Filed January 10, 2007; effective February 14, 2007. Amended: Filed November 28, 2012; effective January 2, 2013.