Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act Modernization Highlights

The Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act declares that the practice of veterinary medicine is a privilege granted by legislative authority in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare. In 2021, KBVE conducted an in-depth review of two national Practice Act Models (PAMs) from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); both PAMs have input from the national veterinary community. As a result, KBVE is proposing edits to the Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act to modernize the Commonwealth’s veterinary laws.

Modernization Highlights

1. ExpandedDefinitions.Thiswillprovideacommonlanguagefordiscussionswithallstakeholders.
2. AdditionalClarifyingStatutes.
   1. Renewals. Clarification of grace periods, expiration of credentials, requirements for reinstatement or new application, and provide for inactive and/or retired credentials.
   2. Animal Control Agencies (ACAs) and Animal Euthanasia Specialists (AESs). This update will make clear the oversight responsibilities for controlled substances and clarify the restricted duties of the AES.
   3. Telehealth.AttherequestoftheKentuckyVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(KVMA),andusingthe AVMA model definitions, the KBVE has added a statute to clarify telehealth: what it encompasses and when the establishment of an in-person veterinary-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) is required.
   4. Medical Records. Needed to help both licensees and citizens understand the basic minimum requirements of current medical records standards.
3. Criminal Background Checks. Statute required by the FBI for direct results to the board.
4. Addition of Veterinary Facility Registrations & Inspections. According to the AVMA, as of Oct 2019, there are 35 states, including Washington, D.C., that have specific regulations governing the operation of veterinary facilities. The intent of the Kentucky board is to phase in registration of veterinary facilities over period of five (5) years, by 2027. This will enable the board to:
   1. Better understand and work to lessen the veterinary shortage in the Commonwealth;
   2. Define responsible parties in corporate or non-licensee owned practices;
   3. Addressconstituentcomplaintsaboutbasicstandardsofcare;and
   4. Conduct inspections to educate licensees on current standards of practice.
5. ClarifyingtheRolesofVeterinaryTechniciansandVeterinaryAssistants.Thiswillaidveterinariansin fully utilizing the skills of their trained staff, and help clarify the title protections available for licensed veterinary technician (LVT) classes.
6. Educational Awards. KBVE seeks the ability to award educational assistance to aid in relieving shortages in the workforce, primarily in food animal medicine and rural communities.