1. (1) "Unprofessional conduct" includes, in addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-501:

   1. (a) applying unsanitary methods or procedures in the treatment of any animal, contrary to rules adopted by the board and approved by the division;
   2. (b) procuring any fee or recompense on the assurance that a manifestly incurable diseased condition of the body of an animal can be permanently cured;
   3. (c) selling any biologics containing living or dead organisms or products or such organisms, except in a manner which will prevent indiscriminate use of such biologics;
   4. (d) swearing falsely in any testimony or affidavit, relating to, or in the course of, the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, or dentistry;
   5. (e) willful failure to report any dangerous, infectious, or contagious disease, as required by law;
   6. (f) willful failure to report the results of any medical tests, as required by law, or rule adopted pursuant to law;
   7. (g) violating Chapter 37, Controlled Substances, or Title 76, Chapter 18, Part 2, Offenses Concerning Controlled Substances;

   8. (h) delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel:

      1. (i) a task that violates the standards of the profession or Subsection (2); or
      2. (ii) the administration of anesthesia or sedation if the delegating veterinarian is not providing direct supervision of the administration; and
   9. (i) making any unsubstantiated claim of superiority in training or skill as a veterinarian in the performance of professional services.

2. (2)

   1. (a) "Unprofessional conduct" does not include the following:

      1. (i) delegating to a veterinary technologist, while under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian, patient care and treatment that requires a technical understanding of veterinary medicine if written or oral instructions are provided to the technologist by the veterinarian;
      2. (ii) delegating to a state certified veterinary technician or a veterinary technician, while under the direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian, patient care and treatment that requires a technical understanding of veterinary medicine if the veterinarian provides written or oral instructions to the state certified veterinary technician;
      3. (iii) delegating to a veterinary assistant, under the immediate supervision of a licensed veterinarian, tasks that are consistent with the standards and ethics of the profession;
      4. (iv) delegating to an individual described in Subsection 58-28-307(16), under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, the administration of a sedative drug for teeth floating; or

      5. (v) discussing the effects of the following on an animal with the owner of an animal:

         1. (A) a cannabinoid or industrial hemp product, as those terms are defined in Section 4-41-102; or
         2. (B) THC or medical cannabis, as those terms are defined in Section 26B-4-201.

   2. (b) The delegation of tasks permitted under Subsections (2)(a)(i) through (iv) does not include:

      1. (i) diagnosing;
      2. (ii) prognosing;
      3. (iii) surgery; or
      4. (iv) prescribing drugs, medicines, or appliances.
3. (3) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a veterinarian is not prohibited from engaging in a discussion described in Subsection (2)(a)(v).

Amended by Chapter 362, 2026 General Session