WEST VIRGINIA VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT - ARTICLE 10 - VETERINARIANS - Unlawful acts and definitions

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob

West Virginia Veterinary Practice Act provisions define unlawful acts and governing standards for veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, and animal euthanasia in the state. The text sets restrictions on practicing or advertising without required licenses, registrations, certificates, or permits, including limits on business entities performing regulated services. It also establishes applicable law and provides key definitions, including “animal,” “applicant,” the Board, supervision concepts, and the scope of veterinary medicine and technology practice.

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CategoryHealthcare

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Pages93

Reading Time3 h 54 min

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ARTICLE 10. VETERINARIANS

§30-10-1. Unlawful acts

§30-10-2. Applicable law

§30-10-3. Definitions

WEST VIRGINA BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 5509 Big Tyler Road, Suite 3 Cross Lanes, WV 25313 304-776-8032 Phone 304-776-8256 Fax [www.wvbvm.gov](www.wvbvm.gov) WEST VIRGINIA VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT AND RULES AND REGULATIONS Printing Edition: February 2025 PRACTICE ACT P R A C T I C E A C T ARTICLE 10. VETERINARIANS. §30‐10‐1. Unlawful acts. (a) It is unlawful for any person to practice or offer to practice veterinary medicine, veterinary technology or animal euthanasia in this state without a license, registration or certificate issued under the provisions of this article, or advertise or use any title or description tending to convey the impression that they are a veterinarian, veterinary technician or animal euthanasia technician unless such person has been duly licensed, registered or certified under the provisions of this article. (b) A business entity may not render any service or engage in any activity which, if rendered or engaged in by an individual, would constitute the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology or animal euthanasia, except through a licensee, registrant or certificate holder. §30‐10‐2. Applicable law. The practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology and animal euthanasia, and the Board of Veterinary Medicine are subject to the provisions of article one of this chapter, the provisions of this article and the board's rules. §30‐10‐3. Definitions. As used in this article, the following words and terms have the following meanings: (a) "Animal" means any animal other than human, and the term includes fowl, birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles, wild or domestic, living or dead. (b) "Animal control facility" means a municipal or county operated humane society or animal shelter incorporated and organized under the laws of this state, or a humane society or an animal shelter classified as 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service, with at least one certified animal euthanasia technician. (c) "Applicant" means a person making application for a license, certificate, registration or permit, under the provisions of this article. (d) "Board" means the West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine. (e) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity performing veterinary medicine, veterinary technology or animal euthanasia. (f) "Certificate" means an animal euthanasia technician certificate issued under the provisions of this article. (g) "Certificate holder" means a person holding a certificate issued under the provisions of this article. (h) "Certified animal euthanasia technician" means a person who is certified by the board to euthanize animals in accordance with the provisions of this article. (i) "General supervision" means the supervising veterinarian is in the building where the animal is being treated, has given instructions for treatment and is quickly and easily available. (j) "Indirect supervision" means the performance of procedures on the orders of a supervising veterinarian. (k) "License" means a veterinary medicine license issued under the provisions of this article. (l) "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued under the provisions of this article. (m) "Permit" means a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine issued by the board. (n) "Permittee" means a person holding a permit issued under the provisions of this article. (o) "Practice of veterinary medicine" means to diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve or prevent any disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental condition, of any animal, or to prescribe for or to administer to any animal any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, or to render advice or any recommendation with respect to any of the foregoing. (p) "Practice of veteri

FAQs

What conduct is prohibited under §30-10-1 for veterinary practice and euthanasia?

It is unlawful to practice or offer to practice veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, or animal euthanasia without the required license, registration, or certificate, or to advertise using titles implying such status without authorization.

How does §30-10-2 describe the governing framework for practice and the Board’s rules?

The practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, and animal euthanasia, and the Board of Veterinary Medicine are subject to provisions of article one of the chapter, the provisions of this article, and the Board’s rules.

What does §30-10-3 define as “Practice of veterinary medicine” and “Practice of veterinary technology”?

“Practice of veterinary medicine” includes diagnosing and treating conditions of animals and prescribing or administering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances or techniques. “Practice of veterinary technology” covers professional medical care and treatment for animals, excluding diagnosis, prognosis, surgery, prescription, and application of certain treatments or drugs where a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob