New California law changes VCPR rules and expands licensing options for veterinarians

In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1999 into law, enacting a broad update to California’s Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. The law changes how veterinarians establish and maintain the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). It also updates the state’s telemedicine provisions, creates new licensing pathways for shelter and volunteer work, and narrows what animal owners may do to their own animals.¹

Under the California Constitution, a statute enacted during a regular legislative session generally takes effect on January 1 following a 90-day period from its enactment, with limited exceptions, such as urgency statutes. Under that rule, AB 1999 would take effect January 1, 2027.²

Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) authored the bill, which passed the Assembly and Senate without a single vote in opposition.³ It was co-sponsored by the California Veterinary Medical Board, the California Veterinary Medical Association, San Diego Humane Society, and Social Compassion in Legislation.⁴ A fact sheet from Kalra’s office says the measure is intended to give the state more tools to address its ongoing veterinary care shortage. It does so in part by streamlining how retired volunteers and out-of-state veterinarians can join shelter care teams, and by reducing regulatory inefficiencies that may unnecessarily add to veterinary staff workload.⁵

From condition-specific to patient-specific VCPR

According to board staff, California law has required veterinarians to examine an animal for each condition treated in order to establish a valid VCPR. Staff contrasted that model with other states. In those states, an examination of the patient within a set timeframe can establish a VCPR, and veterinarians then use professional judgment to decide when another examination is needed. Staff also noted that some California veterinarians may not be fully aware of the condition-specific requirement.⁴

AB 1999 moves California to a patient-specific model.¹˒⁴ Under the law, a veterinarian may gain sufficient knowledge of a patient in 3 ways: by examining it in person, by examining it through synchronous audio-video communication, or by making medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where it is kept. For each condition they may treat under the VCPR, veterinarians must communicate a medical, treatment, diagnostic, or therapeutic plan to the client. If that plan changes, they must attempt to inform the client of the necessary changes in a timely manner.¹

The law also removes prescription time limits that were tied to how the VCPR was established. In their place, it sets an expiration for the VCPR itself: 1 year after an in-person examination or premises visit, or 6 months after an examination by synchronous audio-video. Once a VCPR expires, the veterinarian must establish a new one before prescribing, dispensing, or administering treatment for that patient.¹

Several provisions address coverage within a practice. A VCPR may continue in the original veterinarian’s absence if a colleague takes over under specified conditions. The colleague must serve at the same location where the records are kept, assume responsibility for medical judgments, and continue the plan the original veterinarian documented. The subsequent veterinarian must also possess sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis. As specified by the law, this knowledge may be established through an examination, a timely premises visit, or consultation with the original veterinarian. If the treatment plan changes, the subsequent veterinarian must attempt to communicate the necessary changes to the client in a timely manner.¹

The law also covers refills. When the original prescriber is unavailable to authorize a refill, a veterinarian at the same location may authorize 1 refill of a medically indicated prescription. That veterinarian must first review the patient’s records and determine that withholding the refill could interrupt ongoing care and adversely affect the patient’s well-being. The refill cannot exceed the original prescription in strength or amount, and the veterinarian must document the refill in the medical record. For a traveling patient, a veterinarian may provide an emergency refill to maintain the animal’s health until it can return to the original prescriber. Before doing so, the veterinarian must make a reasonable effort to contact that prescriber and document the communication or attempt in the medical record.¹

The law also adds an exception to the VCPR requirement for prophylactic rabies vaccination to prevent disease or loss of life.¹

New licensing options for shelter and volunteer work

AB 1999 creates a shelter veterinarian license for veterinarians who are employed by or contract with an animal shelter. Applicants may hold a current, valid veterinary license from any US state, US territory, or Canadian province. They must submit fingerprints for a state and federal criminal background check and pass the board’s examination on California’s veterinary statutes and regulations. They must also disclose every jurisdiction where they have held a license and certify that the license’s sole purpose is to practice for an animal shelter. License holders may practice only for a shelter or under specified emergency circumstances, and they must complete continuing education to renew. Veterinarians with a standard California license may continue to work in shelters under that license.¹

The law also creates 2 new statuses for veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs). Those with retired status may not practice and are exempt from renewal requirements. Those with retired volunteer status may practice only to provide voluntary, unpaid care for animal shelters or under specified statutory emergency circumstances. Some applicants for retired volunteer status face additional requirements: specifically, those with an out-of-state credential or with a California credential that has been retired or expired for more than 5 years. These applicants must also complete a background check and certify that they have met continuing education requirements, and veterinarians in that group must pass the state law examination. The application fee for retired volunteer status is $50 to $100.¹

For both the shelter license and retired volunteer status, the law’s definition of an animal shelter covers public animal control agencies and shelters, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, humane societies, and qualifying nonprofit rescue groups. A rescue group must meet the statute’s definition, which includes taking animals from qualifying shelters or rehoming animals previously owned by someone other than the original breeder.¹

Owner exemption and telemedicine

The law narrows California’s owner exemption, which allows animal owners to practice veterinary medicine on their own animals. Board staff had noted that the existing exemption did not specify species and could allow non-veterinarians to perform surgical or dental procedures on companion animals.⁴ Under AB 1999, the exemption no longer covers surgical or dental operations, which the law defines as procedures that penetrate or sever an animal’s skin or tissue. The statute specifies exceptions, including administering injectable drugs, castrating male livestock, and inserting identification microchips.¹

The law also adds definitions for “telemedicine,” “teleconsultation,” and “teletriage.” It specifies that only veterinarians with a current California license may practice telemedicine on animal patients located in the state. It also exempts unlicensed individuals who provide teleconsultation to a California-licensed veterinarian. In addition, it specifies that RVTs may provide emergency lifesaving aid through any means, including teletriage. When an RVT provides that aid to an animal not in the presence of a licensed veterinarian, the aid may continue only under a licensed veterinarian’s direction.¹

The law’s telemedicine provisions include several safeguards. Veterinarians must inform the client about telemedicine and obtain the client’s consent, including an acknowledgment that the same standard of care applies as for in-person services. They must also review the patient’s relevant medical history, use professional judgment to determine whether telemedicine is appropriate, and keep and make available a summary of the patient record.¹

According to board staff, some existing regulatory provisions were superseded after AB 1399 passed in 2023, and AB 1999’s amendments address those changes.⁴

Similar efforts in other states

California is one of several states that have recently updated veterinary licensing or VCPR rules. In 2024, Florida’s Providing Equity in Telehealth Services (PETS) Act allowed veterinarians to establish a VCPR via telehealth.⁶ That same year, Georgia’s SB 410 directed the state board to create a pathway for veterinarians and veterinary technicians licensed in other states. Through it, they can obtain a one-time, 6-month temporary license, a license by endorsement, or both, for work in government or nonprofit shelter medicine and qualifying nonprofit sterilization programs.⁷

More states acted in 2026. Indiana changed its rules for veterinarians and veterinary technicians seeking licensure or registration without examination. Its Senate Enrolled Act 56 replaced the existing requirements, which had included 5 years of practice in another state, with reciprocity requirements applicable to other health care professionals. Applicants must still satisfy the applicable veterinary licensing requirements.⁸˒⁹ Florida enacted HB 1509, which removed a requirement that applicants for licensure by endorsement have held an active license in another jurisdiction for the 3 years immediately before applying.¹⁰ Virginia enacted HB 1287, which directs its board to let veterinarians indicate on licensure and renewal applications that they are interested in serving animal shelters. Each quarter, the board sends a list of interested veterinarians with active licenses to the State Veterinarian, who distributes it to shelters.¹¹

Other states are still studying the issue. Connecticut’s Public Act 26-13 establishes a working group to evaluate whether veterinarians should be permitted to establish a VCPR through telemedicine when an animal needs medical care. The group must report to the legislature’s public health committee by January 1, 2027. The same law also allows certain foreign-educated veterinarians to practice under a temporary permit while they work toward certification. They must practice under the direct supervision of a veterinarian who has been licensed in the state for at least 2 years.¹²

References

1. Veterinary medicine. AB 1999, 2025-2026 Reg Sess, Chapter 205 (Cal 2026). Accessed October 12, 2026. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1999
2. Cal Const, art IV, §8(c). California Legislative Information. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CONS&sectionNum=SEC.%208.&article=IV
3. AB 1999 votes. California Legislative Information. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1999
4. Agenda item 7: update, discussion, and possible action on 2025-2026 legislation impacting the board, DCA, and/or the veterinary profession. Memorandum. California Veterinary Medical Board. July 1, 2026. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://vmb.ca.gov/meetings/materials/20260715_item_7.pdf
5. Assembly Bill 1999: improve access to veterinary care. Fact sheet. Office of Assemblymember Ash Kalra. February 17, 2026. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://sdhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AB-1999-Kalra-Fact-Sheet.pdf
6. Bautista-Alejandre A. Florida bill expands veterinary healthcare access. dvm360. July 6, 2024. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/florida-bill-expands-veterinary-healthcare-access
7. SB 410. Georgia General Assembly, 2023-2024 Regular Session. Office of the Governor, 2024 signed legislation. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2024-signed-legislation/sb-410/download
8. Senate Enrolled Act No. 56. Indiana General Assembly, Second Regular Session, 2026. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0056/SB0056.04.ENRH.pdf
9. Leising achieves 100% voting record in Senate. News release. Indiana Senate Republicans. March 24, 2026. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/leising-achieves-100-voting-record-in-senate
10. HB 1509: veterinarian licensure by endorsement. Bill summary. The Florida Senate. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1509
11. 2026 Va. Acts ch. 768. Virginia Law. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/uncodifiedacts/2026/session1/chapter768/
12. Public Act No. 26-13. Connecticut General Assembly. 2026. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://prdext3.cga.ct.gov/2026/ACT/PA/PDF/2026PA-00013-R00HB-05514-PA.PDF