All Roll Calls
Yes: 273 • No: 8
North DakotaSB 21292025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT to create and enact ten new sections to chapter 43-29 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, and recognized animal services; to amend and reenact section 43-29-01.1, subsection 1 of section 43-29-02, sections 43-29-03, 43-29-04, 43-29-05, 43-29-05.1, 43-29-06, 43-29-07, 43-29-07.1, 43-29-07.2, 43-29-07.3, 43-29-08.1, 43-29-13, 43-29-14, and 43-29-15, subsection 2 of section 43-29-16, sections 43-29-16.1 and 43-29-17, and subsection 2 of section 43-29-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology; to repeal sections 43-29-09, 43-29-10, 43-29-11, and 43-29-12.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology; and to provide a penalty.
Sponsored By: Senate Workforce Development
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Tougher discipline and help for impaired providers
The board lists many grounds for discipline, including fraud, cheating on exams, unprofessional conduct, malpractice, unsanitary premises, cruelty to animals, certain criminal convictions, and drug use without a valid VCPR. Anyone may file a complaint. The board can subpoena records and witnesses and require exams, treatment, or monitoring when there is reasonable cause. If you are disciplined, the board may charge you its actual investigation and attorney costs and suspend your license until you pay. Vets and technicians may self-report to a board-approved program for treatment or monitoring; reports stay confidential unless you refuse evaluation, are unsafe to practice, or refuse to follow treatment. People who act in good faith in these processes, like board members, reviewers, and witnesses, have legal immunity.
Licenses, exams, and permits for vets and techs
The board holds at least two licensing exams each year and may use national exams. It can license some qualified veterinarians without a written exam. Short-term permits are available while waiting for exam results, for nonresidents up to 60 days (one per year), for senior vet students under direct supervision for up to six months, and for foreign graduates in an equivalency program for up to two years. To get a veterinary license, you must be a graduate of an accredited college or hold an approved certificate. Veterinary technicians must complete an approved program or a board equivalency and pass national and state exams.
Animal services allowed without a vet license
Many animal services do not need a veterinary license. Owners, researchers, students, government workers, and employees may do limited tasks under the listed limits. Veterinary technicians may work under a veterinarian’s direction but may not diagnose, prescribe, or do surgery. People who groom, shoe horses, massage, microchip, or do acupuncture may work without a vet license if they tell clients they are not a vet or technician and do not diagnose, give a prognosis, prescribe, or do surgery. Giving medication as a vet prescribes and free lifesaving aid are also allowed. These exemptions do not protect anyone from animal-cruelty laws.
Annual renewals and CE for vets and techs
Veterinarian licenses expire July 1. The board mails a notice by June 1. To renew, file a complete application, pay the fee, and show required continuing education by June 30. An expired vet license can be renewed within five years by paying current and late fees and finishing CE; after five years you must apply again. Veterinary technician licenses expire December 31 and have a five-year delinquency window with late fees and CE. Practicing with an expired license is a violation. The board may waive vet renewal fees for active-duty military for up to three years or the length of service, whichever is longer.
Penalties for unlicensed or out-of-state practice
You must hold an active North Dakota license or temporary license to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology. Providing care to a patient located in North Dakota counts as practicing in North Dakota, no matter where you are. Practicing without complying with the law, falsely claiming a license, or falsely claiming graduation is a class B misdemeanor. The board may ask a court to stop violations if all board members vote to do so.
Stronger rules for state vet board
The law sets a five-member veterinary board: three veterinarians, one veterinary technician, and one public member. The board meets at least twice a year; a quorum is two, and all members must be present to change rules. The board can set practice standards, inspections, and licensing rules and can set application, license, and renewal fees. Board records count as evidence. Members get per diem and travel like state employees, and the board cannot spend more than the fees it collects. The board may hire an executive director and staff and may rely on verified data from groups like AAVSB. The act repeals several older sections as part of this update.
Telehealth and in person exam rules for vets
A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship needs an in-person exam of the animal or an in-person visit to the site. A VCPR cannot be formed by telemedicine alone. Teleadvice and teletriage do not need a VCPR, and a veterinary technician may provide them without a veterinarian’s instructions. Vets must use judgment, get client consent, keep records, and make their identity and license clear. A vet may dispense a non-controlled prescription without a new VCPR if another licensed or foreign vet with a VCPR prescribed it and the dispensing vet verifies it. Out-of-state practitioners may continue care by telehealth without a North Dakota license when continuing a pre-existing VCPR and within their licensed scope. The law also defines telehealth terms used in these rules.
Ten-day notice before disposing of abandoned animals
A licensed veterinarian with an abandoned animal may mail a registered or certified letter with return receipt to the owner’s last known address. If the animal is not reclaimed more than 10 days after that notice, the vet may give it to a humane society or dog pound or otherwise dispose of it. Sending the notice ends the vet’s liability. The same 10-day written-notice rule applies to unclaimed animal remains.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Senate Workforce Development
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/22/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 90 nays 4
Yes: 90 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 1
Yes: 46 • No: 1
House vote • 3/19/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 92 nays 1
Yes: 92 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/20/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2
Yes: 45 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/30
5/2/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/29
5/1/2025SenateSent to Governor
4/28/2025SenateSigned by President
4/28/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/25/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 90 nays 4
4/22/2025HouseConference committee report adopted
4/22/2025HouseReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
4/16/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 1
4/16/2025SenateConference committee report adopted
4/16/2025SenateReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
4/11/2025SenateConference committee appointed Hauck Nehring Tveit
4/1/2025HouseConference committee appointed Wobbema Powers Boschee
3/31/2025SenateRefused to concur
3/31/2025SenateReturned to Senate (12)
3/20/2025SenateSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 92 nays 1
3/19/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
3/18/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 12 0 2
3/17/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 04:00
3/13/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Agriculture Committee
2/25/2025HouseReceived from Senate
2/21/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2
2/20/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
2/20/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 4 0 1
2/19/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:45
2/14/2025Senate
Bill Text
Adopted by the House Agriculture Committee
Adopted by the Senate Human Services Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Conference Committee Amendments
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Boschee
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