Title OC, Occupations Code

Sec. 702.551. INVESTIGATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. (a) The attorney general or a district or county attorney may: (1) investigate an alleged violation of this chapter; and (2) enforce any penalty or remedy authorized by this chapter. (b) The attorney general, a district or co…

Sec. 702.552. SUIT FOR ENFORCEMENT. (a) The attorney general or a district or county attorney may file suit against a person who violates, or threatens to violate, this chapter to: (1) obtain an injunction to enjoin the person from violating this chapter; or (2) recover a civil p…

Sec. 702.553. AMOUNT OF CIVIL PENALTY. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) and Section 702.554, a person who violates this chapter is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for a single violation. (b) If more than one civil penalty is assessed against t…

Sec. 702.554. VIOLATION OF INJUNCTION. (a) The attorney general or a district or county attorney may file suit to recover a civil penalty against a person who violates an injunction issued under this subchapter in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for a single violation. If more th…

Sec. 702.555. DEPOSIT IN COUNTY FUND. A civil penalty collected under this subchapter by a district or county attorney shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the county. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 702.556. CRIMINAL OFFENSE: VIOLATION OF CHAPTER. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly operates, or attempts to operate, a health spa in violation of Subchapter C, D, or H. (b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch…

Sec. 702.557. CRIMINAL OFFENSE: INTERFERENCE WITH INVESTIGATION. (a) A person commits an offense if with actual notice that the attorney general, or a district or county attorney, has initiated, or plans to initiate, an investigation under this chapter the person intentionally co…

Sec. 702.558. CRIMINAL OFFENSE: NONCOMPLIANCE WITH SUBPOENA OR INVESTIGATIVE DEMAND. (a) A person commits an offense if, after receiving a subpoena or civil investigative demand issued under Section 17.61, Business & Commerce Code, the person intentionally falsifies or withholds …

Sec. 801.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the Veterinary Licensing Act. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 801.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Board" means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. (1-a) "Certified veterinary assistant" means a person who has been certified as a certified veterinary assistant by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and is emplo…

Sec. 801.003. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the board is abolished September 1, 2033. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 3…

Sec. 801.004. APPLICATION OF CHAPTER. This chapter does not apply to: (1) the treatment or care of an animal in any manner by the owner of the animal, an employee of the owner, or a designated caretaker of the animal, unless the ownership, employment, or designation is establishe…

Sec. 801.021. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. (2) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1103 (S.B. 1414), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 20…

Sec. 801.022. TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION OF CHAPTER BY DEPARTMENT; RULES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall assume all policy-making powers of the board and administer this chapter. The department may contract as necessary to administer this chapter. (b) A pow…

Sec. 801.023. SEPARATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS OF BOARD. (a) The executive director of the department shall direct and may dismiss the board's executive director, and has authority relating to personnel actions as if the board's executive director were an employee of the de…

Sec. 801.024. ADVISORY BOARD. (a) Notwithstanding Subchapter D, the board is an advisory board to the department. (b) The board, the equine dental provider advisory committee, and any advisory committee appointed under Section 801.163 shall provide advice and recommendations to t…

Sec. 801.025. CONFLICT WITH OTHER LAW. (a) Notwithstanding Section 51.003, to the extent of any conflict between this chapter and Chapter 51, this chapter controls. (b) To the extent of any conflict between this subchapter and another provision of this chapter, this subchapter co…

Sec. 801.026. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September 1, 2027. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1103 (S.B. 1414), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023. SUBCHAPTER B. STATE BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Sec. 801.051. BOARD; MEMBERSHIP. (a) The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners consists of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows: (1) five veterinarian members, including: (A) one veterinarian member who is associated wi…

Sec. 801.052. MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY. (a) A person is eligible for appointment as a veterinarian member of the board if the person: (1) has resided and practiced veterinary medicine in this state for the six years preceding the date of appointment; (2) is of good repute; and (3) …

Sec. 801.053. MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE RESTRICTIONS. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined statewide association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession …

Sec. 801.054. TERMS; VACANCY. (a) Members of the board are appointed for staggered six-year terms. (b) If a vacancy occurs because of the death or resignation of a board member, the governor shall appoint a replacement to fill the unexpired term. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Se…

Sec. 801.055. OFFICERS. (a) The governor shall designate a veterinarian member of the board as the presiding officer of the board to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. (b) At the first meeting of the board each year, the board shall elect from its members any…

Sec. 801.056. GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL. (a) It is a ground for removal from the board that a member: (1) does not have at the time of taking office the qualifications required by Section 801.052; (2) does not maintain during service on the board the qualifications required by Section …

Sec. 801.057. TRAINING. (a) A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the board may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board until the person completes a training program that complies with this section. (b…

Sec. 801.058. PER DIEM; REIMBURSEMENT. A board member is entitled to receive: (1) a per diem, as set by legislative appropriation, for each day that the member engages in board business; and (2) reimbursement for travel expenses, as prescribed by the General Appropriations Act, i…

Sec. 801.059. OATH OF OFFICE. Before assuming the duties of office, each board member shall file with the secretary of state a signed copy of the constitutional oath of office taken by the member. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. SUBCHAPTER C. EXECUTIVE …

Sec. 801.101. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The board shall appoint an executive director. The executive director serves at the will of the board. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 874 (S.B. 2155), Sec. 3, eff. September …

Sec. 801.102. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The executive director shall: (1) perform any duties assigned by the board and other duties specified by law; (2) administer and enforce the board's programs; and (3) issue licenses regulated by the board. (b) The executive …

Sec. 801.103. PERSONNEL. The board may employ personnel to administer this chapter and may prescribe their duties and compensation, subject to the personnel policies and budget approved by the board. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2025…

Sec. 801.104. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. The board shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policymaking responsibilities of the board and the management responsibilities of the executive director and the staff of the board. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388,…

Sec. 801.105. QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT INFORMATION. The board shall provide as often as necessary to its members and employees information regarding their: (1) qualifications for office or employment under this chapter; and (2) responsibilities under applicable law…

Sec. 801.106. CAREER LADDER PROGRAM; PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS. (a) The executive director or the executive director's designee shall develop an intra-agency career ladder program. The program must require intra-agency postings of all nonentry level positions concurrently with any …

Sec. 801.107. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY; REPORT. (a) The executive director or the executive director's designee shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement to ensure implementation of an equal employment opportunity program under which all personnel transacti…

Sec. 801.150. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. The board shall: (1) supervise the executive director's administration of this chapter; (2) formulate policy objectives for the board; and (3) approve the board's operating budget and requests for legislative appropriations. Added…

Sec. 801.151. RULES. (a) The board shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this chapter. (b) The board shall adopt rules of professional conduct appropriate to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity, skills, and practice in the veterinary medicine profession. (c…

Sec. 801.152. EXCEPTIONS TO RULE. (a) The board may consider an exception to a rule adopted by the board on the request of a person subject to board regulation. (b) After notice and hearing, the board may approve an exception to a board rule. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1…

Sec. 801.153. RULES RESTRICTING ADVERTISING OR COMPETITIVE BIDDING. (a) The board may not adopt a rule restricting advertising or competitive bidding by a person regulated by the board except to prohibit a false, misleading, or deceptive practice by that person. (b) In its rules …

Sec. 801.154. FEES. The board by rule shall set fees in amounts that are reasonable and necessary so that the fees, in the aggregate, cover the costs of administering this chapter. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., …

Sec. 801.155. PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Costs incurred by the board in administrating this chapter, including the compensation and expenses of board members and employees, may be paid only from fees collected under this chapter. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. …

Sec. 801.156. DATA; PUBLIC ACCESS. (a) The board shall maintain an electronic system allowing it to provide accurate reporting of information relating to license holders and applicants, complaints, enforcement actions, investigations, and inspections. (b) The board shall provide …

Sec. 801.157. PEER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) The board shall establish or approve a peer assistance program for veterinarians. The peer assistance program must comply with Chapter 467, Health and Safety Code. (b) The board may order a veterinarian who is subject to disciplinary act…

Sec. 801.158. SUBPOENA. (a) The board or executive director may request and, if necessary, compel by subpoena: (1) the attendance of witnesses for examination under oath; and (2) the production for inspection or copying of books, accounts, records, papers, correspondence, documen…

Sec. 801.159. BOARD DUTIES REGARDING COMPLAINTS. (a) The board by rule shall: (1) adopt a form to standardize information relating to complaints filed with the board; and (2) prescribe information to be provided to a person when the person files a complaint with the board. (b) Th…

Sec. 801.160. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) The board shall file annually with the governor and the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a complete and detailed written report accounting for all funds received and disbursed by the board during the preceding fiscal year. (b) Th…

Sec. 801.161. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. (a) The board shall implement a policy requiring the board to use appropriate technological solutions to improve the board's ability to perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the board on the Interne…