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MinnesotaHF 371894th Legislature, 2025-2026HouseWALLET

Veterinary medicine and veterinary technology practice provisions modified.

Sponsored By: Paul Anderson (Republican)

Became Law

Agriculture Finance and PolicyRules and Administration for comparison with SF4069

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.

Long-expired veterinary licenses require new exams

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians who fail to renew within five years after suspension must apply for a new license. They must pass all exams required for an initial license, meet other new-license requirements, and pay board fees. Showing the board they are qualified no longer replaces the exam requirement.

Remote supervision supports veterinary and farm care

Veterinarians can remotely supervise a licensed technician's ongoing care when direct supervision is unavailable. They must know the animal through an exam or timely, medically appropriate visits, give instructions, and remain immediately reachable. The remote-supervision definition no longer requires a treating employee's record entry for veterinarian review; separate recordkeeping duties still apply. Unlicensed veterinary employees can also perform commonly accepted livestock management practices under remote supervision.

Veterinary board includes technicians in oversight

Minnesota's nine-member veterinary board includes five veterinarians, one technician, one veterinarian or technician, and two public members. The governor appoints members, who must live in Minnesota. Professional members need at least five years of Minnesota practice. The board can subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and make rules, and must administer licensing exams. Board meetings cannot last more than three days.

Veterinary technicians face training and discipline

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed veterinary technicians need at least 16 continuing education credits every two years. At least 12 credits must cover medical topics, and completion must be documented at renewal. Extra credits cannot carry forward. The board can require remedial education after a disciplinary finding. It can also limit, suspend, or revoke licenses for listed violations, including unsafe conduct, working outside the technician's scope, and education failures.

Animal care rules clarify treatment access

Minnesota veterinary law covers nonhuman mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles, and no longer expressly excludes poultry. Veterinary practice includes diagnosis, treatment, prevention, reproductive care, medicines, fitness checks, and alternative therapies. Veterinarians must establish a relationship with the owner and animal before providing care, with an examination at least every 12 months. Telemedicine requires that relationship. Emergency stabilization and remote urgent assessment, called teletriage, are allowed without it, but teletriage cannot include diagnosis.

Animal owners gain records and care safeguards

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed veterinary technicians must provide humane care and ensure prescription medicines are given properly. They must explain medicine use when they do not administer or supervise it, and follow state and 1990 drug standards. Technicians must keep records covering owner and patient details, care dates, history, findings, tests, diagnosis, treatment, and medication doses. Individual records are generally required; qualifying livestock, horses, or litters may share a complete group record. Owners, authorized agents, and the board must receive records or accurate summaries within two weeks of a written request; copying fees are allowed except in board investigations. Third-party release needs client consent or legal authority; radiographs have identification and return rules, and release requires a veterinarian's written request and the owner's written consent.

Updated licensing paths for veterinary technicians

Beginning July 1, 2026, Minnesota licenses veterinary technicians and includes them in chapter rules for license holders. Applicants need proof of graduation from an American or Canadian Veterinary Medical Association-approved program, plus discharge papers after military service. The law defines accredited technology programs as degree-granting programs accredited by the American association's technician education committee. Transfer applicants need an approved diploma or PAVE certificate, an unrestricted license in good standing, status records, a Minnesota law exam, and a background check. An exam waiver requires proof of meeting the original state's licensing requirements. Professional reference affidavits are no longer required, and the board may refund a denied transfer application's fee; refunds are not guaranteed.

Updated licensing steps for Minnesota veterinarians

Veterinary license applicants pay a nonrefundable fee and provide a diploma or official transcript; reference affidavits are no longer required. Foreign graduates need ECFVG or PAVE certification, a diploma copy, and a translation when needed. Applicants with military service must provide discharge papers. The board offers an online Minnesota law exam and uses the national veterinary exam's council-set passing score. It must license applicants who pass required exams and hold a qualifying degree or certificate; qualifying colleges must meet American Veterinary Medical Association standards. Applicants licensed elsewhere need an unrestricted license in good standing, education and disciplinary records, and exam scores unless their licensing jurisdiction already reported them.

Veterinary license display and copy rules change

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians no longer have to display their license at their main place of business under this provision. When the board requests a license copy, the license holder must provide it within seven days of receiving the request.

Horse teeth workers face registration rules

Beginning January 1, 2027, non-veterinarians who file horses' teeth must register as equine teeth floaters. They need current approved dentistry certification and a signed supervision statement from a veterinarian experienced in horse medicine. The law removes the prior experience-and-income exception to certification. Manual, nonmotorized work is allowed under direct or remote supervision. Powered work and work on sedated or tranquilized horses require direct supervision.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul Anderson

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Keith Allen

    Republican • House

  • John Burkel

    Republican • House

  • Rick Hansen

    Democratic • House

  • Bobbie Harder

    Republican • House

  • Kupec

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 319 • No: 14

House vote • 4/20/2026

Repassage, as amended by the Senate

Yes: 133 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

Third Reading

Yes: 52 • No: 13

House vote • 4/9/2026

Passage, as amended

Yes: 134 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Secretary of State Chapter 53

    4/29/2026Senate

  2. Governor's action Approval

    4/29/2026Senate

  3. Presentment date

    4/28/2026Senate

  4. Bill was repassed as amended by the Senate vote: 133-1

    4/20/2026House

  5. Third reading as amended by the Senate

    4/20/2026House

  6. Motion prevailed

    4/20/2026House

  7. Motion to concur with Senate amendments

    4/20/2026House

  8. Returned from Senate with amendment

    4/20/2026House

  9. House rule 1.15 (c), message requesting concurrence received

    4/16/2026House

  10. Third reading Passed vote: 52-13

    4/15/2026Senate

  11. Special Order

    4/15/2026Senate

  12. Second reading

    4/14/2026Senate

  13. Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF4069a

    4/14/2026Senate

  14. Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF4069, now on General Orders

    4/13/2026Senate

  15. Introduction and first reading

    4/13/2026Senate

  16. Received from House

    4/13/2026Senate

  17. Bill was passed as amended vote: 134-0

    4/9/2026House

  18. Third reading as amended

    4/9/2026House

  19. Amended

    4/9/2026House

  20. House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Thursday, April 9, 2026

    4/7/2026House

  21. Second reading

    3/16/2026House

  22. Committee report, to adopt as amendeda

    3/16/2026House

  23. Authors added Allen, Harder, and Burkel

    3/5/2026House

  24. Introduction and first reading, referred to Agriculture Finance and Policy

    2/25/2026House

Bill Text

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