All Roll Calls
Yes: 273 • No: 8
North DakotaSB 21292025 Regular SessionSenate
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
Signed by Governor
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6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Clients get records when veterinary care ends
Veterinarians who end a care relationship must notify the client. They must provide medical records to the client or the client’s chosen veterinarian or outside practitioner. Clients must receive reasonable time to arrange other care, unless the circumstances, animal, or client threaten staff safety. Veterinarians acting in good faith are not penalized solely because an emergency prevented establishing a care relationship.
State rules define veterinary work limits
Unless an exception applies, veterinary work in North Dakota requires a state license or temporary license. Regulated work includes diagnosis, treatment, drug use, reproductive procedures, health assessments, and claims of authority to practice. Veterinary technicians provide care on a veterinarian’s instructions and cannot diagnose, predict medical outcomes, or prescribe. They may perform surgery only as a veterinarian’s surgical assistant. The state veterinary board regulates veterinary medicine, technology, and telemedicine, including workplace standards, professional conduct, licensing, exams, and discipline.
Animal care requires an in-person start
A veterinarian cannot establish a care relationship through telemedicine alone. The veterinarian needs a timely, medically appropriate in-person exam or a timely visit to where the animal lives or is managed. That contact must give the veterinarian enough knowledge to begin a diagnosis and understand the animal’s care. The veterinarian must oversee treatment, remain reasonably available for follow-up, and keep patient records under board rules.
Animal care exceptions come with limits
The law allows specified animal services by owners, regular employees, veterinary students, consultants, product sellers, and other listed providers. Veterinary employees working under a veterinarian cannot use this exception to perform surgery, diagnose, predict medical outcomes, or prescribe. Owners cannot transfer or manipulate ownership to avoid veterinary rules. Product sellers may handle nonprescription products used as labeled, and exceptions cover veterinarian-prescribed medication or treatment. People performing direct embryo transfers cannot administer prescription drugs as part of the procedure; owners may arrange veterinarian-prescribed administration. Free services for animals in life-threatening situations are also exempt. None of these exceptions overrides animal cruelty laws.
Veterinary applicants face exams and alternatives
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians must complete approved education or a board-established equivalent program. Veterinary schools must offer a veterinary medicine degree or equivalent and meet nationally recognized accreditation standards approved by the board. Technician programs must offer a postsecondary degree or equivalent and have board approval. Veterinarians must pass either the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination or both the national board and clinical competency tests. Technicians must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination; both groups must pass the state exam and meet other board requirements. Applicants must also have no legal grounds for license refusal. The board may issue temporary veterinary medicine licenses to qualified applicants who meet its requirements; no duration is specified.
Veterinary licenses require renewals and fees
Veterinarian licenses expire each June 30, and veterinary technician licenses expire each December 31. Renewal requires a complete application, the board-set fee, and proof of required continuing education. Practicing after expiration violates the law. Licenses expired for less than five years can be renewed by completing required education and paying current and delinquent renewal fees. After five years, holders must apply for a new license. The board sets fees for applications, licenses, temporary licenses, renewals, late renewals, and continuing education; the law gives no amounts.
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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