Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

Any person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry within the meaning of this chapter who shall, within this state, (1) by advertisement, or by any notice, sign, or other indication, or by a statement written, printed or oral, in public or priva…

A veterinarian licensed under this chapter may dispense veterinary legend drugs prescribed by other veterinarians licensed under this chapter, so long as, during any year, the total drugs so dispensed do not constitute more than five percent of the total dosage units of legend dr…

(1) A veterinarian legally prescribing drugs may delegate to a registered veterinary medication clerk, while under the veterinarian's direct supervision, certain nondiscretionary functions defined by the board and used in the preparing of legend and nonlegend drugs (except contro…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2247-S.SL) ***The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Board" means the Washington state veterinary board of governors.(2) "Department" means the department of health.(3) "Secretar…

(1) There is created a Washington state veterinary board of governors reflecting the diverse practice of animal medicine, including large animal, small animal, and specialty practice, as well as diverse types of employment and practice ownership including sole proprietorships, pa…

(1) The board shall develop and administer, or approve, or both, a licensure examination in the subjects determined by the board to be essential to the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry. The board may approve an examination prepared or administered by a priv…

The board shall certify to the secretary the names of all applicants who have successfully passed an examination and are entitled to a license to practice veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry. The secretary shall thereupon issue a license to practice veterinary medicine, su…

Each member of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.265 and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. The board is designated as a class five group for purposes of chapter 43.03 RCW. No expense may be incurred b…

The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter.[ 1987 c 150 s 58; 1986 c 259 s 139.]Notes:Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.Severability—1986 c 259: S…

(1) To implement a veterinarian health program as authorized by RCW 18.130.175, the veterinary board of governors shall enter into a contract with a physician health program or a voluntary substance use disorder monitoring program. The veterinarian health program may include any …

It is a violation of RCW 18.130.190 for any person to practice the profession of veterinary medicine, surgery, or dentistry in this state, who has not complied with the provisions of this chapter.[ 1987 c 150 s 59.]Notes:Severability—1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.

Nothing in this chapter applies to:(1) Commissioned veterinarians in the United States military services or veterinarians employed by Washington state and federal agencies while performing official duties;(2) A person practicing veterinary medicine upon his or her own animal;(3) …

No person, unless registered or licensed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry in this state at the time this chapter shall become operative, shall begin the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry without first applying for and obtaining a licens…

Examinations for license to practice veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry shall be held at least once each year at such times and places as the secretary may authorize and direct. The examination shall be on subjects that are ordinarily included in the curricula of veterina…

Any applicant who shall fail to secure the required grade in his or her first examination may take the next regular veterinary examination. The fee for reexamination shall be determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250.[ 2011 c 336 s 499; 1991 c 3 s 244; 1985 c 7 s 7…

Any person who shall make application for examination, as provided by RCW 18.92.070, and who has not previously failed to pass the veterinary examination, and whose application is found satisfactory by the secretary, may be given a temporary certificate to practice veterinary med…

No veterinarian who uses the services of a veterinary technician or veterinary medication clerk shall be considered as aiding and abetting any unlicensed person to practice veterinary medicine. A veterinarian retains professional and personal responsibility for any act which cons…

The board shall issue a veterinary technician license to an individual who has:(1) Successfully completed required examinations administered or approved by the board; and(2) Successfully completed a posthigh school course approved by the board in the care and treatment of animals…

Any person who has been lawfully licensed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry in another state or territory which has and maintains a standard for the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry which is substantially the same as that maintained in …

(1) The department may issue a license to practice specialized veterinary medicine in this state to a veterinarian who:(a) Submits an application on a form provided by the secretary for a license in a specialty area recognized by the board by rule;(b) Holds a current certificatio…

Each person now qualified to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry, licensed as a veterinary technician, or registered as a veterinary medication clerk in this state or who becomes licensed or registered to engage in practice shall comply with administrative proced…

Administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees shall be established as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280 for the issuance, renewal, or administration of the following licenses, certificates of registration, permits, duplicate licenses, renewals, or examina…

Every person holding a license under the provisions of this chapter shall conspicuously display it in his or her principal place of business, together with the annual renewal license certificate.[ 2011 c 336 s 500; 1941 c 71 s 18; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 10040-18.]

Any person filing or attempting to file, as his or her own, the diploma or license of another is guilty of forgery under RCW 9A.60.020.[ 2003 c 53 s 139; 1941 c 71 s 23; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 10040-23.]Notes:Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.Forgery: R…

Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto, shall constitute a misdemeanor and punishable by fine of not less than fifty dollars.[ 1941 c 71 s 24; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 10040-24.]

The legislature recognizes that low-income households may not receive needed veterinary services for household pets. It is the intent of the legislature to allow qualified animal control agencies and humane societies to provide veterinary services to low-income members of our com…

(1)(a) Subject to the limitations in this section, animal care and control agencies as defined in RCW 16.52.011 and nonprofit humane societies, that have qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code may provide veterinary services to animals owned by qualified l…

(1) A higher education facility that receives public money, including tax exempt status, or a facility that provides research in collaboration with a higher education facility, that utilizes dogs or cats for scientific, educational, or research purposes, upon conclusion of a dog …

(1) The board, in consultation with the University of Washington's forefront suicide prevention center of excellence and affected professional associations, shall develop a suicide prevention training program for veterinarians and veterinary technicians by June 30, 2022. The prog…