All Roll Calls
Yes: 242 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 15022025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
California Veterinary Medical Board.
Sponsored By: Marc Berman (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 7 mixed.
Higher fines and faster enforcement for clinics
The Board can fine licensees up to $5,000 per violation. It can fine unlicensed practice $2,000 to $10,000 per violation. The executive officer can issue citations after investigations. Clinics must let inspectors review records, equipment, and drugs; random inspections are allowed. Settlements that resolve cases are public discipline, and the Board can set conditions when it reinstates a license.
Required continuing education to renew
Veterinarians must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education every two years to renew. Registered veterinary technicians must complete 20 hours every two years. At least one hour every four years must cover careful use of important antibiotics. You must keep proof for four years and certify under penalty of perjury. The board can audit providers and grant waivers for health, military service, or undue hardship.
Stricter discipline and cannabis tie limits
The Board treats guilty or no‑contest pleas to felonies or practice‑related crimes as convictions for discipline. Vets cannot take or offer pay to or from a cannabis business if they or family have a financial interest, and cannot recommend cannabis while employed by or under agreement with one. Licensees cannot distribute cannabis ads in California. You cannot claim to be a specialist unless certified by AVMA‑ or NAVTA‑recognized groups. It is also discipline to interfere with another vet’s professional judgment.
Stricter rules to restore licenses
You must wait at least three years to ask to reinstate a surrendered or revoked license. To change probation, wait two years if it was three years or more, or one year if it was shorter. The board may allow a shorter, one‑year wait in its order for good cause. Your petition must include two verified recommendations from California-licensed veterinarians and a full set of fingerprints. Five board member votes are needed to reinstate or reduce a penalty, and the board will not consider a petition while you are serving a criminal sentence, probation, or parole. The board may deny any petition filed within two years of its last decision without a hearing. The law also repeals a prior restoration section, so these rules now govern.
Telehealth rules and faster record access
A vet must have a valid care relationship before treating or prescribing. It can start in person, by live video, or by a timely on‑site visit. Audio‑only calls or forms do not start that relationship. After it exists, care can continue by telehealth, and only California‑licensed vets can treat animals in California. You can get a copy of your animal’s medical record within five days of asking.
Clearer paths to vet and RVT licenses
Veterinarian applicants must be graduates of a recognized school or hold ECFVG/PAVE, pass the national exam and a law exam, apply, pay fees, and give fingerprints. If the national exam was over five years ago, they must retake it, show 2 years and 2,500 hours of recent practice, or finish required continuing education. RVT applicants use a national exam and must meet set education or equivalency paths, apply, pay fees, and give fingerprints. The Board can deny RVT applications for serious misconduct or related convictions. The law clarifies that an RVT is a person registered by the Board under the stated requirements.
Fee caps and license reinstatement costs
The law caps many Board fees. Examples: veterinarian application up to $540 and biennial renewal up to $800. Delinquency fees equal 50% of the renewal fee, with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Clinic registration fees are capped by size, such as a large premises renewal up to $1,745. If a revoked or surrendered license is reinstated after it expires, you must pay the last renewal fee plus any delinquency and ordered reimbursements. If you do not pay within one year of the decision, your petition is abandoned. If you do not renew within five years after expiration, your license is canceled and you must apply as a new applicant.
Clients can get payment records
You can get a record of payments for your pet’s care within 30 days of asking. Veterinary clinics must keep payment records for at least three years after your pet’s last visit.
University-only veterinary license option
Veterinarians employed by the University of California or Western University of Health Sciences can get a university‑limited license. It covers work at the school and affiliated locations. You must apply, pay fees, and pass the law exam. The license ends when the qualifying job ends.
Veterinary Board kept through 2030
The Veterinary Medical Board stays in place through January 1, 2030. It can appoint an executive officer. A new advisory committee helps on exams, licensing, and enforcement. This keeps statewide oversight and advice in place.
Ban on non-therapeutic cat declawing
Declawing, tendonectomy, or similar surgeries on cats are banned unless medically needed. Vets must document a therapeutic reason. This protects animal welfare but removes non‑medical declawing as an option.
Drug compounding and assistant permit rules
A vet, RVT, or permitted assistant may compound animal drugs when a licensed vet supervises, following federal and Board rules. Vet tech students can do RVT tasks under direct supervision, but may give controlled drugs or compound only with immediate supervision. Veterinary assistants who handle controlled substances must get a Board permit, pay fees, give fingerprints, and report past licenses for checks.
More basic care allowed at shelters
Owners can treat their own animals, but not certain restricted procedures. Unregistered shelters may give vaccines and some medicines under written protocols if staff complete at least four hours of vet‑led training. Shelters must report serious adverse events to the Board. These steps aim to expand basic care and keep animals safe.
Old vet code sections repealed
The law repeals several older veterinary code sections. This cleans up and reorganizes rules. The text shown does not change fees or benefits by itself.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Marc Berman
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/10/2025
Item 281 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 75 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/9/2025
Item 226 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 39 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/18/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/30/2025
Vote in CS42
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 6/2/2025
Item 305 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 76 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 13 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/29/2025
Vote in CX33
Yes: 17 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 195, Statutes of 2025.
10/1/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/1/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/22/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 3242.).
9/10/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/9/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2702.).
9/9/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/4/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/3/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to suspense file.
8/18/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/1/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 30).
6/30/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
6/25/2025SenateReferred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
6/11/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/3/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 1892.)
6/2/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseJoint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1627.)
5/21/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
5/21/2025HouseIn committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
5/14/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on APPR.
5/1/2025HouseRead second time and amended.
4/30/2025HouseFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 29).
4/29/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/1/2025
Enrolled
9/12/2025
Amended Senate
9/3/2025
Amended Senate
7/1/2025
Amended Senate
6/25/2025
Amended Assembly
4/30/2025
Amended Assembly
4/23/2025
Introduced
2/24/2025