For the purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

1. (1) ACCREDITED SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Any veterinary college or division of a university or college that offers the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent and is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
2. (2) ANIMAL. Any member of the Kingdom Animalia other than humans, living or dead.
3. (3) APPLICANT. An individual who files an application to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine or licensed as a veterinary technician.
4. (4) BOARD. Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
5. (5) CLIENT. A person who has entered into an agreement with a licensed veterinarian in person for the purpose of obtaining veterinary medicine services.
6. (6) CONSULTING VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian licensed in another state who gives advice or demonstrates techniques to a licensed Alabama veterinarian or group of licensed Alabama veterinarians. A consulting veterinarian may not use this privilege to circumvent the law.
7. (7) DIRECT SUPERVISION. A supervising veterinarian has initially examined the animal and will examine at other times as acceptable veterinary medical practice requires, consistent with the particular delegated animal health care task. The supervising veterinarian is on the premises and is quickly and easily available.
8. (8) EMERGENCY. A medical condition as determined by a licensed veterinarian to warrant immediate medical intervention. The term includes life-threatening or life-altering conditions and potential loss of or permanent damage to major bodily functions.
9. (9) FOREIGN VETERINARY GRADUATE, EXCLUDING CANADA. Any individual, including a foreign national or an American citizen, who has received a professional veterinarian medical degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association listed veterinary college that is not accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
10. (10) IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION. A supervising veterinarian is on the premises and in audible or visual range of the animal patient and the individual treating the patient.
11. (11) INDIRECT SUPERVISION. A supervising veterinarian has examined the animal and has given written or oral instructions for the treatment of the animal while the supervising veterinarian is away from the premises.
12. (12) LICENSE. Any permit, approval, registration, or certificate of qualification issued by the board.
13. (13) LICENSED VETERINARIAN. An individual who is validly and currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Alabama.
14. (14) LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN. An individual who is validly and currently licensed to practice as a veterinary technician in Alabama.
15. (15) LIVESTOCK. Food-producing animals, including cattle, elk, reindeer, bison, horses, deer, sheep, goats, swine, egg- and meat-producing poultry, llamas, alpacas, honeybees, rabbits, live fish, crawfish, and other animals that are a part of a herd.
16. (16) PATIENT. Any single animal or representative segment of a consignment, herd, or flock.
17. (17) PERSON. Any individual, firm, partnership, association, joint venture, cooperative, or corporation or any other group or combination acting in concert; and whether or not acting as a principal, trustee, fiduciary, receiver, or as any kind of legal or personal representative, or as the successor in interest, assigning agent, factor, servant, employee, director, officer, or any other representative of the person.

18. (18) PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE:

    1. a. To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental condition; including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthesia, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique on any animal including acupuncture, dentistry, animal psychology, animal chiropractic, theriogenology, surgery, including cosmetic surgery, any manual, mechanical, biological, or chemical procedure for testing for pregnancy or for correcting sterility or infertility, or to render service or recommendations with regard to any of the above.
    2. b. To represent directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an ability and willingness to do any act described in paragraph a.
    3. c. To use any title, words, abbreviations, or letters in a manner or under circumstances which induce the belief that the individual using them is qualified to do any act described in paragraph a. Such use shall be prima facie evidence of the intention to represent oneself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine.
    4. d. To collect blood or other samples for the purpose of diagnosing disease or other conditions. This paragraph shall not apply to unlicensed personnel employed by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
    5. e. To remove any embryo from livestock or A small animal for the purpose of transplanting the embryo into another female animal, cryopreserving the embryo, or implanting the embryo into livestock or a small animal. It shall not be considered the practice of veterinary medicine for an individual or his or her full-time employees to remove an embryo from the livestock or small animal of the individual for the purpose of transplanting or cryopreserving the embryo, or to implant an embryo into the livestock or small animal of the individual, provided ownership of the livestock or small animal shall not be transferred or employment of the individual shall not be changed for the purpose of circumventing this article.
    6. f. To provide veterinary medical services to a client or patient in this state, including through telemedicine, regardless of the location of the veterinarian, shall constitute the practice of veterinary medicine in this state and shall require licensure within this state and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship must have been previously established.
19. (19) SMALL ANIMAL. Animals other than livestock. The term includes companion pets, exotic pets, and birds. The term does not include poultry.
20. (20) SUPERVISING VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian who assumes responsibility for the professional care given to an animal by an individual working under his or her direction.
21. (21) TELEMEDICINE. In conjunction with a valid VCPR, the use of electronic communication to exchange information between a client and a licensed veterinarian about a patient’s health status from one site to another.
22. (22) TELETRIAGE. In the absence of a valid VCPR, the safe, appropriate, and timely assessment and management of a patient by electronic communication to render a good and safe decision regarding a patient’s condition based on a client’s or responsible party’s report of the patient’s history, clinical signs, and photos or videos. The term includes the determination of the immediate need of a patient to be presented for an in-person physical examination due to conditions of uncertainty and urgency. The term does not include diagnosis or treatment.
23. (23) TEMPORARY LICENSE. Temporary permission to practice veterinary medicine issued by the board pursuant to this article.
24. (24) UNLICENSED ASSISTANT. Any individual who is not a licensed veterinary technician or veterinarian and is employed by a licensed veterinarian.

25. (25) VETERINARIAN-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP (VCPR). A relationship in which a licensed veterinarian satisfies all of the following:

    1. a. Has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of a patient and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to comply with the veterinarian’s instructions.
    2. b. Has physically examined a patient within the previous 12 months or more frequently as dictated by the age of the patient, medical condition of the patient, treatment therapy, or use of controlled substances.
    3. c. Has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a general or preliminary diagnosis of the patient’s medical condition.
    4. d. Is acquainted with the keeping and care of the patient or the operation where the patient is managed.
    5. e. Is readily available for ongoing or follow-up evaluation and care of the patient or has arranged for emergency veterinary care or continuing care and treatment of the patient by an appropriate veterinary professional.
    6. f. Oversees treatment of the patient, compliance with the treatment, and the outcome.
    7. g. Maintains complete and legible medical records regarding the patient, including an assessment and treatment plan, in a manner that another veterinarian may proceed with continuity of care and treatment of the patient.
26. (26) VETERINARIAN, DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, DVM, VMD, or EQUIVALENT TITLE. An individual who has received a doctor’s degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited school of veterinary medicine or holds an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certificate issued by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

27. (27) VETERINARY FACILITIES. Any place or unit from which the practice of veterinary medicine is conducted. The following are types of veterinary facilities:

    1. a. Veterinary or Animal Hospital or Clinic. Meets or exceeds all mandatory requirements as listed in the administrative code of the board for veterinary facilities. In doing so, it provides quality examination, diagnostic, and health maintenance services for medical and surgical treatment of animals and is equipped to provide housing and nursing care for the animals during illness or convalescence.
    2. b. Specialty Practice or Clinic. Provides complete specialty service by a veterinarian who has advanced training in that specialty and is a diplomat of an approved specialty college. It meets all minimum standards that are applicable to that specialty.
    3. c. Central Hospital. Meets all requirements of paragraph a. and provides specialized care including 24-hour nursing care and specialty consultation on a permanent or on-call basis. It is mainly utilized on referral from area veterinary hospitals or clinics.
    4. d. Satellite, Outpatient, or Mobile Small Animal Clinic. A supportive facility owned by or associated with, or both, and has ready access to, within a reasonable distance, a full-service veterinary hospital or clinic or a central hospital providing all mandatory services and meeting all minimum standards. The public shall be informed of the limitation of services by way of a posted notice in plain view and easily readable or by notice provided to the client by flyer or card which clearly specifies those mandatory veterinary medical services that are not provided. In addition, the main location and telephone number of the veterinary hospital or clinic providing the required service, as well as the signed agreement with the veterinary hospital or clinic, shall also be posted in plain view and be easily readable. A veterinarian associated with this veterinary hospital or clinic shall be on call during and after operation of the satellite, outpatient, or mobile clinic to render aid if necessary. The personnel of satellite, outpatient, or mobile clinics shall consist of one or more veterinarians and auxiliary personnel necessary to provide adequate outpatient service. Operation of any satellite, outpatient, or mobile clinic shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian who remains on the premises during the entire time of operation.
    5. e. Large Animal Mobile Clinic. Provides examination, diagnostic, and preventive medicine, and minor surgical services for large animals not requiring confinement or hospitalization. Emergency service and radiology service shall be provided by that veterinarian or by written agreement with another veterinarian or group of veterinarians in practice in that locale. These clinics shall provide a degree of veterinary care compatible with the level of standards considered adequate to the practice of veterinary medicine currently available in the area. Complete hospital facilities may be provided by the nearest large animal hospital or veterinary school.
    6. f. Emergency Clinic. Receives patients and treats illnesses and injuries of an emergency nature requiring treatment. The clinic shall provide professional diagnostic and emergency treatment during hours when local veterinary hospitals are normally closed. Emergency clinics shall meet all mandatory requirements of a veterinary hospital or clinic.
28. (28) VETERINARY INTERN. An individual who is working toward completion of an ECFVG certificate and who is working under the direct or indirect supervision of a board approved licensed veterinarian in any state to complete the practical experience internship required for licensing in Alabama.
29. (29) VETERINARY MEDICINE. Includes veterinary surgery, theriogenology, dentistry, acupuncture, animal psychology, chiropractic, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary practice.
30. (30) VETERINARY STUDENT PRECEPTEE. An individual who is pursuing a veterinary degree in an accredited school of veterinary medicine which has a preceptor or extern program and who has completed the academic requirements of the program.
31. (31) VETERINARY TECHNICIAN STUDENT. An individual enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program gaining clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician in a clinical setting.
32. (32) VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY. The skills and knowledge accrued in a post-high school course of study, accredited by the AVMA Committee on Education (COE) or the board, in the area of care and treatment of animals. It embodies limited skills, responsibility, and minimal exercise of independent judgment in the treatment of patients of veterinarians while under direct, indirect, or immediate supervision of a veterinarian.
33. (33) WHOLESALE VETERINARY DRUG DISTRIBUTOR. A person who is engaged in the business of distributing veterinary drugs and medicines for resale to veterinary practitioners and other veterinary wholesalers and who possesses a current permit issued by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy to engage in the selling of veterinary drugs or medicines in the State of Alabama.

(Acts 1986, No. 86-500, p. 956, §2: Acts 1987, No. 87-794, p. 1557, §2; Acts 1997, No. 97-249, p. 431, §1; Act 2006-590, p. 1596, §1; Act 2010-536, p. 905, §1; Act 2026-503, §1.)