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GeorgiaSB 1052025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians; licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teleadvice; authorize

Sponsored By: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Larry Walker (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Agriculture & Consumer AffairsAgriculture and Consumer AffairsGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Pet owners get general advice remotely

Beginning July 1, 2025, licensed veterinarians can give general advice remotely without an existing care relationship. Veterinary technicians can also give this advice under a licensed veterinarian’s supervision. This service does not cover diagnosis or treatment of a particular animal.

State oversight protects veterinary care decisions

Beginning July 1, 2025, Georgia’s veterinary board oversees licenses and conduct for veterinary medicine and remote veterinary services. It can review qualifications, issue or renew licenses, deny them, refuse renewal, suspend them, or revoke them. Its professional standards also cover veterinary technology. Veterinarians can provide in-person and remote services as employees of corporations, partnerships, or other business organizations. Unlicensed people at those organizations cannot direct veterinarians’ medical decisions or judgments.

Remote animal triage with treatment limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, veterinarians and supervised veterinary technicians can provide remote triage without an existing care relationship. No licensed veterinarian or technician can be available within 50 miles to examine the animal within 24 hours of the request. The provider must ask the owner to bring the animal for an exam as soon as reasonably practical. Owners must receive written details about the veterinarian’s name, location, license number, status, and service limits, then sign a dated acknowledgment. Triage excludes diagnosis, prognosis, surgery, and prescribing, giving, or dispensing specified medicines or treatments.

Remote pet care keeps exam requirements

Beginning July 1, 2025, Georgia allows remote veterinary care, usually with an existing care relationship and an animal in Georgia. A relationship established by one clinic veterinarian extends to all licensed veterinarians employed at that facility. Providers must be in good standing, mainly practice in person in Georgia, notify the state board, and meet its requirements. They must follow professional standards, judge whether remote care is appropriate, and protect records. Owners must receive written details about the veterinarian’s name, location, license number, status, and service limits, then sign a dated acknowledgment. Without a care relationship, remote triage requires no available exam within 50 miles and 24 hours, plus a prompt follow-up request. Prescription drugs and board-specified medicines or treatments require a recent physical exam by that veterinarian or another employed at the same facility. That exam must occur at the facility or during a medically appropriate, timely visit to the animal’s location.

Foreign-trained veterinarians gain specialty-only license path

Effective upon enactment, Georgia creates a license path for graduates of foreign veterinary schools. Applicants must submit required education records and supporting documents, complete at least two years of residency or similar training, and gain approved specialty certification. Their practice is limited to that certified specialty. These veterinarians also receive an exemption from the veterinary licensing article’s requirements for teaching or demonstrating within that specialty. The activity must be at an accredited veterinary or veterinary-technology school and connected to a continuing-education course or seminar.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jason Anavitarte

    Republican • Senate

  • Lee Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Bill Cowsert

    Republican • Senate

  • Drew Echols

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Gooch

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Billy Hickman

    Republican • Senate

  • Larry Walker

    Republican • Senate

  • Sam Watson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Rick Jasperse

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 271 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 51 • No: 1 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 52 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Act 190

    5/13/2025

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2025House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/20/2025House

  9. House Second Readers

    3/11/2025House

  10. House First Readers

    3/10/2025House

  11. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2025Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Senate Read Second Time

    2/19/2025Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/18/2025Senate

  15. Senate Read and Referred

    2/6/2025Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 105/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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