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HB24-1047: Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice

CACVT worked tirelessly to expand the scope of practice for veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists throughout the legislative session, resulting in the passage of the Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice. The new law allows veterinarians to safely and effectively delegate any veterinary medicine task, to increase access to care, alleviate the burden on veterinarians, and improve career satisfaction for veterinary technicians. Rather than restricting tasks to certain individuals, the Vet Tech Scope of Practice breaks down the supervision levels required based on licensing level to ensure the safety of animals.

Colorado's State Board of Veterinary Medicine must promulgate Rules based on the Vet Tech Scope of Practice bill by September 2025. To prepare for the expansion of scope, here's all the information you need to know!

Supervision Definitions

  • Immediate: supervising licensed vet is physically in the immediate area and within audible or visual range of patient
  • Direct: supervising licensed vet is on the premises where the patient is being treated
  • Indirect: supervising licensed vet need not be on the premises but has provided written or verbal instructions for tasks and is readily available for communication

 

To Delegate or Not to Delegate?

The Vet Tech Scope of Practice bill essentially provides a flow-sheet for clinical practice veterinarians considering delegation.

Step 1 : Create a VCPR

Step 2: Consider the licensing level, education, experience, training, and skill level of the individual to whom the task will be delegated

Step 3: Consider the appropriate level of supervision pursuant to the VPA and Rules (see Task List below)

Step 4: Consider applicable state and federal laws

Step 5: Delegate! 

Click here for a downloadable task list!
 

Delegation and utilization looks different for every practice, veterinarian, and technician. In fact, underutilization is one of the top reasons RVTs leave not only a job, but the profession! AAHA has made available the 2023 Technician Utilization Guidelines as an open access program to help implement optimal utilization. AAHA created these guidelines as "optimal utilization of credentialed veterinary technicians can benefit the entire veterinary team by supporting professional longevity, mutual trust and collaboration, improved patient care, and financial sustainability."

Did you know? Proper delegation is so important that HB24-1047 also requires veterinarians to complete 2 hours of CE every licensing cycle on delegating and supervising RVTs, VTSs, and other personnel.

Recognizing that veterinary medicine is not a one size fits all approach, exemptions from the task delegation guidelines were created for the following situations:

Shelters: treatment of animals that are the property or under the stewardship of an animal shelter may be delegated to trained individuals under at least indirect supervision, in compliance with written or verbal protocols.

Livestock: treatment of livestock may be delegated to trained individuals under indirect supervision after a VCPR has been established and tasks are in compliance with communications from the supervising licensed veterinarian.