Chapter 2: Florida Laws and Rules: Veterinary Practice (Mandatory) 2 CE Hours
Expiration Date : November 2, 2027 Learning objectives After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Describe the two (2) beliefs or reasons why licensing laws are established. Identify the sections from Florida’s Statutes and Administrative Code that apply to veterinarians. Discuss the violations and penalties for fraudulent and deceptive practices, according to Florida Statutes. List the acts that may constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
Identify the various types of premises permits to practice veterinary medicine. Summarize the law regarding medical patient records in terms of confidentiality, ownership and control, and the release of records. Summarize the minimum standards for ownership permits for practicing veterinary medicine. Explain the minimum standards for Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practices.
INTRODUCTION
In Florida, the practice of veterinary medicine is covered mainly by Chapter 474 of Title XXXII of the statutes and Division 61G18 of the Administrative Code, as well as Chapter 455 of Title XXXII, which more generally covers businesses and professions but also contains laws specifically applying to veterinarians. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) frequently releases State Legislative Updates. For example, the March 2023 update featured scope-of-practice legislation in various states, the regulation of xylazine and the need to maintain veterinarians’ access to the drug, the use of cannabis and acupuncture in veterinary medicine, and other issues (AVMA, 2023). Florida-specific legislation in the March 23, 2023, AVMA report included FL S.B. 1492/FL H.B. 1581, which would tighten certain regulations concerning companion animals. This bill would create a registration system for dog breeders; set standards of care, including veterinary care, for dog breeders; and require
that a cause of death of a breeding female be presented to the state Department of Agriculture (AVMA, 2023; Florida Senate, 2023c). Changes to Florida Rule 61G18-18.001 would update the actions to be taken upon a veterinarian’s death, and changes to FL Rule 61G18-18.0015 would update the actions to be taken upon the termination or relocation of a veterinarian’s practice (AVMA, 2023). Other issues concerning Florida veterinarians are licensure, continuing education requirements, and terms of probation. This course will review updates in Florida’s rules on these matters. Licensed veterinarians must have an understanding of the laws and rules governing the profession. This course will review rule updates that impact the profession and the practice of veterinary medicine. Definitions (s. 474.202; Florida State Legislature, 2023) ● Animal : Any mammal other than a human being or any bird, amphibian, fish, or reptile, wild or domestic, living or dead. ● Board : The Board of Veterinary Medicine. ● Client : The owner or caretaker of an animal who arranges for its veterinary care. ● Department : The Department of Business and Professional Regulation. ● Immediate supervision or words of similar purport : A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine is on the premises whenever veterinary services are being provided. ● Limited-service veterinary medical practice : Offering or providing veterinary services at any location that has a primary purpose other than that of providing veterinary medical service at a permanent or mobile establishment permitted by the board; provides veterinary medical services for privately owned animals that do not reside at that location; operates for a limited time; and provides limited types of veterinary medical services, including vaccinations or immunizations against disease, preventative procedures for parasitic control, and microchipping. ● Mobile veterinary establishment and mobile clinic : A mobile unit which contains the same treatment facilities as are required of a permanent veterinary establishment or which has entered into a written agreement with another veterinary establishment to provide any required facilities not available in the mobile unit. The terms do not refer to the use of a car, truck, or other motor vehicle by a veterinarian making a house call.
PART I: FLORIDA LAW – VETERINARY MEDICAL PRACTICE (TITLE XXXII, CHAPTER 474) The AVMA represents the interests of veterinarians on federal legislative and regulatory issues that influence animal health, public health, and the veterinary profession. While the AVMA is focused on advancing veterinary medicine at the national level, Florida legislators have been working to protect the safety and welfare of animals and the public from incompetent and unethical practitioners by writing bills and amending laws. Veterinary licensing and practice in Florida are regulated by the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine (the board).
Licensing laws are in place to protect the public and are based on two beliefs: (a) It takes special knowledge and skills to practice a profession, and (b) The public needs protection from incompetent and unethical practitioners (American Association of Veterinary State Boards [AAVSB, n.d.]). In this course, we review the legislative mandates that are most relevant to the competent and safe practice of veterinary medicine. The rules and statutes for veterinarians consist of Chapters 474 and 455, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 61G18, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). We will start with the statutes. To begin, we will review the definitions of terms that follow. Please note that if you would like to review the complete language of the legislation, you may access the board’s website. Because the practice of veterinary medicine is potentially dangerous to the public health and safety if it is conducted by incompetent or unlicensed practitioners, the purpose of the laws is to ensure that every veterinarian practicing in Florida meets minimum requirements for safe practice. Veterinarians who are not competent or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be disciplined or prohibited from practicing in this state.
EliteLearning.com/Veterinarian
Book Code: VFL1524
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