Title 34 — Title 34

For the purposes of this article the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) IMPAIRED. The inability of a veterinary professional to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriation…

Committee; Liability. (a) It shall be the duty and obligation of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to promote the early identification, intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation of veterinary professionals licensed to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary tec…

Animals. (a) The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, hereinafter called the board, shall adopt rules providing for the issuance of permits authorizing the purchase, possession, and use of sodium pentobarbital, sodium pentobarbital with lidocaine, or other similar agents …

(a) The board shall provide by rule that sodium pentobarbital, a sodium pentobarbital derivative, or other authorized injectable agents that act on the central nervous system shall be the only means of euthanasia of dogs and cats at facilities approved by the board that are opera…

Whenever an emergency situation exists which requires the immediate euthanasia of an injured, diseased, or dangerous animal, a law enforcement officer, a veterinarian, or an agent or designee of a local animal control unit may humanely destroy the animal, as provided herein. (1) …

Confirmation of Death. No animal may be left unattended between the time euthanasia procedures are first begun and the time that death occurs, nor may the body of the animal be disposed of until death has been confirmed by a euthanasia technician or other qualified person as defi…

(a) The Attorney General may bring action to enjoin any violation of this article. (b) Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by law. History: (Act 2004-523, p. 1067, §§5, 6.)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 34-29-94, this article shall prevail in all cases in which there is a direct conflict. History: (Act 2004-523, p. 1067, §9.)

This article shall be known as the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act. History: (Acts 1986, No. 86-500, p. 956, §1.)

2026.] AMENDED BY ACT 2026-503, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE. For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings ascribed by this section: (1) ACCREDITED SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Any veterinary college or divis…

In order to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by safeguarding the people of the State of Alabama against unqualified or incompetent practice of veterinary medicine, it is hereby declared that the right to practice veterinary medicine is a privilege conferred by legis…

(a) There is established a state board to consist of eight members to be known as the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. (b) Each of the eight members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three persons nominated and submitted to him or …

(a)(1) Six members of the board shall be graduates of an accredited school of veterinary medicine; legal residents of Alabama; currently and validly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Alabama; actively employed and licensed in the practice of veterinary medicine in the S…

(a) The board may employ an executive director, prescribe the duties, and set the salary of the executive director. (b) In the event the director should become incapacitated or unable to perform the duties of the position, the board may employ a person or persons to assume the du…

(a) The board shall elect from its members a president and vice-president, each of whom shall serve a term of one year. (b) The board shall do all of the following: (1) Adopt rules and regulations to be compiled as an administrative code. (2) Name a definite time and place for me…

(a) The members of the board shall receive four hundred dollars ($400) for each day, or portion thereof, the member is actually engaged in the work of the board, and in addition, the usual per diem expenses allowed to other persons acting in the service of the State of Alabama or…

Are Confidential. The board shall keep records of its proceedings in a book provided for that purpose, especially with relation to the issuance, denial, renewal, suspension, and revocation of licenses to practice veterinary medicine. All licenses issued by the board shall be numb…

The board shall be a body corporate and shall have the power to do all of the following: (1) Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in the state. (2) Issue, renew, deny, suspend, and revoke licenses, issue …

Excess. All revenues received by the board shall be accepted by the executive director and deposited with the Treasurer of the state to be credited to an account to be known as the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund. All expenses of the board shall be paid from the fund b…

(a) The board may issue a temporary license to practice veterinary medicine to an unlicensed applicant providing the applicant meets all conditions and requirements of this article relating to qualifications of applicants for license to practice veterinary medicine. Any person ap…

(a) Any person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state shall make written application in the English language to the board. The application shall show that the applicant is at least 21 years old, is a graduate of an accredited veterinary school, is a citi…

(a) The board shall hold at least two examinations and may hold additional examinations as it deems necessary. The executive director or his or her designee shall give appropriate public notice of the time and place of the examination at least 120 days in advance of the date set …

The board may issue a license without a written examination to a qualified applicant who furnishes satisfactory proof that he or she is a graduate of an accredited veterinary school and who has been for the five years immediately prior to filing his or her application a practicin…

All licenses shall expire annually on December 31 of each year but may be renewed by application to the board showing fulfillment of continuing education requirements and payment of a renewal fee established and published by the board. The continuation of practice after the expir…

No person shall practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology unless the person holds an active license to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology in the State of Alabama and in addition: (1) No person shall use the name or title of licensed veterinarian whe…

No person shall practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology in the State of Alabama who is not a currently and validly licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician or the holder of a temporary permit issued by the board. This article shall not be construed to…

The board or any citizen of this state may bring action in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County to enjoin any person from practicing veterinary medicine without a currently valid license or temporary permit. If the court finds that the person is violating or is threatening to v…

(a) When the board, by its official actions, acts or proposes to act in a manner which will affect the rights, duties, or privileges of the issuance of a license to an applicant or the license of a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or other individual, those persons shall have…

Persons from Suit. Complaints submitted to the board or testimony with respect thereto shall be absolutely privileged and no lawsuit predicated thereon may be instituted. Members of the board and their staffs, and any member of a grievance committee authorized by the board to inv…

Any person whose license is suspended or revoked by the board may be relicensed or reinstated at any time without an examination by a majority vote of the board on written application made to the board showing cause justifying relicensing and reinstatement pursuant to the adminis…

Any person who shall practice veterinary medicine without a current valid license shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or…

A person disciplined pursuant to this article may appeal to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, notwithstanding the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. To do so, he or she shall file a petition in the circuit court within 30 days after notification of the decision…

A person shall be responsible for filing his or her license with the probate office of the county where he or she resides or the probate office of the county where he or she may move, or each county where he or she is to practice even if he or she is not a resident. The fee shall…

Any person holding a valid license to practice veterinary medicine in Alabama on April 30, 1986, shall be recognized as a licensed veterinarian and shall be entitled to retain this status so long as he or she complies with this article and the administrative code of the board. Hi…

Liability of Owner or Agent. (a) Any animal placed in the custody of a licensed veterinarian for the treatment, boarding, or other care which shall be unclaimed by its owner or his or her agent for a period of more than 10 days after written notice by registered or certified mail…

for Nonlicensed Persons; Exceptions. (a) Whenever the practice of veterinary medicine is carried on by a partnership, all partners shall be either licensed or holders of temporary licenses to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Alabama. (b) It shall be unlawful for any l…

Closure and Imposition of Penalties; Renewal; Requirements for Satellite on Mobile Clinics. (a) Any facility, including mobile clinics or any other premises where a licensed veterinarian practices shall have a premise permit issued by the board. Upon application and payment of a …

Each person to whom a license or premise permit, or both, is issued shall keep such license or premise permit, or both, conspicuously displayed in his or her office, place of business, or place of employment and shall, whenever required, exhibit the license or premise permit, or …

Human Victims; Nonliability to Animal Hospital. (a) Any licensed veterinarian who in good faith as a volunteer and without fee renders emergency care or treatment to a domestic animal shall not be liable in a suit for damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions which may …

A person who is a graduate of a college of veterinary medicine not accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association shall be eligible to take the regularly scheduled state licensing examination given by the board upon furnishing all the following required documents or it…

The Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners may require that all applicants serve as a student preceptee working under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed in any state for a minimum period of nine consecutive weeks. History: (Acts 1986, No. 86-500, p. 956, §33;…

Unlicensed Assistants; Emergency Care; Suspension, Revocation of License; Continuing Education. (a) In order to obtain a license as a veterinary technician, the applicant shall do all of the following: (1) Submit a complete notarized application on a form prescribed by the board …