Scope of Practice: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) and other practice act exemptions

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Updated January 2012

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SUMMARY REPORT:

Scope of Practice: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) and other practice act exemptions

The following chart summarizes key provisions of state veterinary practice acts and accompanying regulations relating to common CAVM treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture and physical therapy. The chart also lists other exemptions from the definition of veterinary medicine, such as those for animal owners, farming/livestock practices, artificial insemination, equine teeth floating/cleaning, and embryo removal or transfer.

A handful of states do not have provisions specifically addressing CAVM. In these states, be sure to read carefully the state's general definition of veterinary medicine, as well as the definition of scope of practice of other licensed professions such as chiropractic and physical therapy.

About 20 states follow the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act by including CAVM in the definition of veterinary medicine, while another 20 states or so have enacted specific or general exemptions for regulated therapies, generally requiring some type of veterinary input such as supervision or referral.

Please keep in mind that these are general summaries only, and for a comprehensive analysis of practice act scope and exemptions in a particular state, you are strongly advised to review the full text of the statute and regulations, and/or consult a local attorney knowledgeable in this field. The current laws and regulations can be found on most state legislative web sites. See http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/resources/default.asp

State veterinary medical associations are also excellent sources of information about their state's practice act. http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/vmas.asp

Also note that laws and regulations are amended occasionally, so be sure to be working with the current version.

STATE	INCLUDED IN THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE	EXEMPTIONS
Alabama	Acupuncture Dentistry Animal psychology Animal chiropractic Theriogenology Surgery (including cosmetic)	Animal massage by a massage therapist under the direction of a licensed veterinarian Removing embryo to cryopreserve, transplant or implant Animal owner or his regular employee
Alaska	Dentistry	Artificial insemination Farrier Animal owner or employee
Arizona	Veterinary surgery Obstetrics Dentistry Acupuncture Manipulation All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine	Certified equine dental practitioners under the general supervision of a licensed veterinarian Treating an animal with no compensation Animal owner or employee
Arkansas	Veterinary surgery Theriogenology Dentistry Acupuncture Animal psychology Chiropractic	Animal chiropractic under the immediate supervision of an Arkansas licensed veterinarian Horseshoeing Training Selling medicines for the treatment of animal diseases Collecting, preparing or freezing semen Nonsurgical artificial insemination Animal owner or employee
California	Surgical or dental operations	Determination as to status of pregnancy, sterility, infertility of livestock, equine, food animals at time of insemination, if free of charge Gratuitous assistance to owner Animal owner or employee
Colorado	Artificial insemination Dentistry Transrectal procedures, embryo transfer, uterine lavages, and reproductive procedures	Accepted livestock management practices Physical therapy – a licensed physical therapist may perform physical therapy on an animal with veterinary medical clearance. Animal Chiropractic- a licensed chiropractor may perform animal chiropractic when such chiropractic diagnosis and treatment is consistent with the scope of practice for chiropractors and the animal has been provided a veterinary medical clearance by a licensed veterinarian. Animal massage – any person may perform massage on an animal if the person does not prescribe drugs, perform surgery, or diagnose medical conditions and has earned a degree or certificate in animal massage from an approved school Animal owner or employee Any person may assist in a surgical procedure under the immediate supervision of a licensed veterinarian, who is responsible for the person's performance.
Connecticut	Animal dentistry.	Euthanizing of animals in accordance with applicable state and federal drug laws by the Connecticut Humane Society Teeth floating
Delaware	Artificial insemination Dentistry	Support activities under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian Animal owner and employee
District of Columbia	Dentistry	Artificial insemination with approval from DC government Animal owner or employee
Florida	Surgery Acupuncture Obstetrics Dentistry Physical therapy Radiology Theriogenology Other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine	Out-of-state veterinarians practicing temporarily in the state Part-time or temporary basis hires, or independent contractors hired by an owner to assist with herd management and animal husbandry tasks for herd and flock animals, including castration, dehorning, parasite control, and debeaking, or a person hired on a part-time or temporary basis, or as an independent contractor, by an owner to provide farriery and manual hand floating of teeth on equines Animal owner or employee
Georgia	Acupuncture Dentistry Manual or mechanical adjustment procedures Physical therapy Surgery Diagnostic veterinary pathology	Teeth cleaning Acceptable livestock management practices Any other licensed or registered health care provider utilizing his or her special skills so long as the treatment of the animal is under the direction of a licensed veterinarian with a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship Soft tissue animal massage or other forms of soft tissue animal manipulation Aquaculture or raniculture management practices Implanting electronic identification devices in small companion animals Animal owner or employee
Hawaii	Dentistry	Farmers assisting each other with husbandry practices Animal owner or employee
Idaho	Surgery Obstetrics Dentistry All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine Artificial insemination	Allied health professional participating in procedure within his/her scope of practice and under direct supervision of actively licensed veterinarian Livestock owner Insemination of domestic animals as provided in statute Teeth cleaning
Illinois	Complementary, alternative, or integrative veterinary medical procedures including: Chiropractic Physical therapy Animal acupuncture Animal acutherapy Animal acupressure Veterinary homeopathy Animal psychology Artificial insemination Dental Veterinary nutraceutical therapy Veterinary phytotherapy	An individual providing equine dentistry services requested by a veterinarian, an owner or an owner's agent Animal owner or employee
Indiana	Surgical or dental operation Complimentary or alternative therapy	Animal owner or regular employee
Iowa	Veterinary surgery, veterinary obstetrics, veterinary dentistry, animal physical therapy, veterinary acupuncture and acupressure, animal chiropractic, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine	Accepted livestock practices Artificial insemination Horseshoeing and trimming feet Animal owner
Kansas	Acupuncture Surgical or dental operations Animal psychology Animal chiropractic Theriogenology Artificial insemination	Independent contractor under direct or indirect supervision of veterinarian as specified by regulation Animal owner or regular employee
Kentucky	Artificial insemination Dentistry Acupuncture Manipulation All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine	Castration and dehorning of farm animals Trainer, agent or herdsman in context of veterinary-patient relationship Embryo transfers as specified in statute/rules Animal owner or regular employee
Louisiana	Veterinary surgery Obstetrics Dentistry All other branches of veterinary medicine	Accepted livestock management practices Artificial insemination Equine dentistry Animal owner or regular employee
Maine	Acupuncture Dentistry Homeopathic procedures Chiropractic procedures Physical or massage therapy Implanting of microchips Artificial insemination	Artificial insemination Horseshoeing and trimming feet Animal owner or caretaker
Maryland	Dentistry Artificial insemination	Accepted livestock management practices Acupuncture under the supervision of a veterinarian Teeth floating/cleaning Farrier Manual procedure to diagnose or treat sterility or infertility Trimming and maintaining horse hooves by a farrier or a specified person Animal owner
Massachusetts		Accepted livestock management practices Veterinary or surgical works The giving of advice to a neighbor by a person who does not hold himself out as a veterinarian or receive compensation
Michigan		Licensed chiropractor with veterinary supervision Animal owner
Minnesota	Artificial insemination	Chiropractic care by registered chiropractors when referred by a veterinarian and using a separate space to treat animals Equine teeth floating Dehorning cattle and goats Castration of cattle, swine, goats and sheep Docking sheep Licenses for farriery are issued by the racing authority pursuant to rule - not mentioned outside of racing Animal owner or regular employee
Mississippi	Dental Complementary, alternative and integrative therapies including: Acupuncture Acutherapy Acupressure Homeopathy Osteopathy Chiropractic Physical therapy Nutraceutical therapy Phytotherapy	Accepted livestock management practices approved by the Board Docking sheep Horseshoeing Assistance of another licensed professional requested by veterinarian and under his/her direct or indirect supervision A licensed chiropractor may manipulate/adjust animals under the direct supervision of a licensed Mississippi doctor of veterinary medicine Animal owner or regular employee
Missouri	Acupuncture Dentistry Animal Psychology Animal Chiropractic Theriogenology	Animal owner or employee
Montana	Artificial insemination Dental Acupuncture	Accepted livestock management practices Pregnancy testing by animal owner/agent or performed gratuitously Embryo transfer under the supervision of veterinarian Owner of farm animals or owner's employee
Nebraska	Veterinary Surgery Obstetrics Dentistry All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine Artificial insemination	Animal Therapy- by a licensed animal therapist with a letter of referral from a licensed veterinarian. Owner of livestock or a bona fide farm or ranch employee may perform any act of vaccination, surgery, pregnancy testing, or the administration of drugs in the treatment of domestic animals under his or her custody or ownership Dehorning or castrating livestock, not to include equidae
Nevada	Acupuncture Dentistry Chiropractic procedures	Animal chiropractor or physical therapist with certification under direction of veterinarian Accepted livestock management practices
New Hampshire	Veterinary Surgery Obstetrics Dentistry All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine Artificial insemination	Accepted livestock management practices Animal owner or employee Physical Therapy: The Board of Veterinary Medicine has jurisdiction over physical therapists practicing on animals. A physical therapist may be certified by the Board to perform animal physical therapy. In order to treat an animal, he or she must receive a referral from a licensed veterinarian. An animal physical therapist treating an animal shall provide to the referring veterinarian: (1) a written evaluation within 7 days after initial evaluation; (2) any additional progress notes every 30 days; and (3) notice of discharge or termination of treatment.
New Jersey	Acupuncture Dental Animal Chiropractic Theriogenology Alternative or complementary veterinary medicine Embryo transfer	Artificial insemination Animal owner
New Mexico	Artificial insemination Dentistry All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine Chiropractic Physical therapy Acupuncture Acupressure Embryo transfer	Accepted livestock management Veterinary technicians or persons holding or training for valid permits for artificial insemination or diagnosing pregnancy Chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and embryo transfer under the direct supervision of licensed veterinarian
New York	Subcutaneous insertion of a microchip	Licensed dentist under direct veterinary supervision
North Carolina	Dentistry All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine	Dehorn or castrate food animals Providing for or assistance in the practice of artificial insemination Animal owner
North Dakota	Dentistry Chiropractic Acupuncture All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine	Livestock owner and employees Embryo transfers on cows Animal owner
Ohio	Complementary alternative and integrative therapies Surgical embryo transfer Dentistry	Non-surgical embryo transfer by animal owner or owner's designee under direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Accepted Livestock Management Practices including: Acts of tagging, ear notching, hoof trimming, deworming, branding, artificial insemination, including semen collection, preparation and freezing. Owner's agent may perform with the advice and consent of a licensed veterinarian who has provided training and oversight consistent with standard herd management practices: castration, tail docking, non-surgical dehorning, intravenous fluid administration, pregnancy detection other than by rectal technique, medication and biological administration, except for those prohibited by law, and phlebotomy.
Oklahoma	Dentistry Complimentary and alternative therapies including: Physical therapy Massage therapy Osteopathic therapy Energy therapies Ayurveda Aromatherapy Flower remedy therapy Holistic medicine Homeopathy Nutritional therapy Phytotherapy Animal chiropractic Artificial insemination	Complimentary and alternative medicine may be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian Licensed chiropractors certified by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners may engage in animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment – which includes vertebral subluxation complex and spinal manipulation Non-certified chiropractors may provide chiropractic treatment including vertebral subluxation complex and spinal manipulation to an animal referred by a licensed veterinarian All chiropractic physicians certified by the Board in the practice of animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment shall be issued a certification card, and must carry the certification card with them at all times. Individuals certified in animal massage therapy who acquire liability insurance may engage in animal massage therapy after referral from a licensed veterinarian Animal husbandry, dehorning, branding, tagging or notching ears, teeth floating, farriery, pregnancy checking, collecting semen, preparing semen, freezing semen, castrating, worming, vaccinating, injecting or artificial insemination of farm animals or the acts or conduct of a person advising with respect to nutrition, feeds or feeding Animal owner or employee Non-veterinary equine dental care (if provider is certified) The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners can certify an individual as a nonveterinary reproductive services technician beginning November 1, 2011
Oregon	Dental Embryo transfer or pregnancy, sterility or fertility evaluation	Allied health professionals upon referral from a licensed veterinarian Physical therapy with a referral Animal owner or agent or employee may perform veterinary medicine and surgery or dentistry - as well as dehorning and vaccinating cattle
Pennsylvania	Dental Implanting microchips as determined by the Board Embryo transfer	Chiropractic, dental, dental hygiene and physical therapy procedures performed upon animals by licensed individuals in conjunction with the practice of veterinary medicine and under the direct supervision of a veterinarian Embryo transplantation when performed by an animal owner or his or her employee or when any person independently, with indirect veterinary supervision, implants any embryo into an animal Normal husbandry practices on bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine or equine animals or avis Grooming services Farriery Animal owner or employee or agent
Rhode Island	Dentistry
South Carolina	Embryo transplants	Veterinarians may delegate the performance of procedures, therapeutic options and alternate therapies, under certain conditions, including acupuncture, manipulation and adjustment, magnetic field therapy, holistic medicine, homeopathy, herbology/naturopathy, massage, and physical therapy Artificial insemination Animal owner or regular employee
South Dakota	Treatment of an animal of whatever nature	Poultry services Livestock owner or employee or free service
Tennessee	Embryo transfer (but see exemption) Dentistry All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine Artificial insemination of non-livestock animals Chiropractic Radiology Acupuncture Animal psychology Ultrasonography Homeopathy Herbology Naturopathy The use of complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies Pregnancy testing (but see exemption)	Accepted livestock management practice Artificial insemination of livestock Castrating Dehorning Animal owner or regular employee Embryo transfer from own food animal Manual procedure for testing of pregnancy in bovines by farmers not compensated and results are for owner's use only
Texas	Reproduction and obstetrics Dentistry Ophthalmology Dermatology Cardiology Any other discipline or specialty of veterinary medicine Acupuncture Homeopathy	Accepted livestock management practices approved by the Board Musculoskeletal manipulation and chiropractic may be practiced under the supervision of a veterinarian Equine dentistry may be performed by a licensed equine dental provider Animal owner or agent
Utah	Dentistry Implanting a microchip Holistic medicine including: Herbal medicine Acupuncture Chiropractic Homeopathy Applied kinesiology	Vaccination of poultry Pullorum testing Typhoid testing of poultry Related poultry disease control activity Nonsurgical bovine artificial insemination Certified chiropractor with veterinary referral Certified licensed physical therapist with veterinary referral Certified massage therapist with veterinary referral Animal owner or employee
Vermont		Accepted livestock management practices and animal husbandry practices such as artificial insemination, dehorning, clipping and shoeing animals, trimming feet and use of handheld files, rasps or other devices to remove overgrowth from the teeth of horses (floating) but not including the extraction of teeth or other procedures that invade the skin tissue of the mouth Animal owner or regular employee
Virginia	Dentistry Embryo transfer	Registered equine dental technicians under regulation of the Board of Veterinary Medicine with veterinary supervision in some circumstances Animal owner or employee
Washington	Implementation of microchip	Owner assisted in practice gratuitously Castrating and dehorning of cattle, castrating and docking of sheep, castrating of swine, caponizing of poultry, or artificial insemination of animals Certified animal massage therapists Animal owner or employee
West Virginia	Embryo transfer	Dental operations by a licensed veterinarian or veterinary assistant under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian Accepted livestock management practices Animal owner or employee
Wisconsin		Artificial insemination Pregnancy examinations of animals if engaged in prior to 2/11/1968 Castrating male livestock including bovine animals, sheep, goats, swine, farm-raised deer and equine animals Dehorning or branding
Wyoming	Dentistry Cosmetic surgery Physiological examination	Persons approved by the Board to perform artificial insemination or embryo transplants on animals, excepting dogs and cats Animal owner or employee

Source: Tara Southwell, State Policy Analyst, AVMA State Legislative and Regulatory Department
Contact: Adrian Hochstadt, Assistant Director, AVMA State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Department, 847-285-6780

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