Scope of Practice Information

Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice

CACVT worked tirelessly to expand the scope of practice for veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists throughout the 2024 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.

Effective October 15, 2025: Colorado’s State Board of Veterinary Medicine has formally adopted the permanent Rules based on the Vet Tech Scope of Practice bill.

Click Here for rules

Rules Section 1.6 Supervision Definitions

- Immediate: supervising licensed vet is physically in the immediate area and within audible or visual range of the patient and the individual performing the tasks that have been delegated
- Direct: supervising licensed vet is readily available on the premises where the patient is being treated and is able to supervise the tasks that have been delegated
- Indirect: supervising licensed vet need not be on the premises but has provided either written or verbal instructions for tasks that have been delegated to an individual and is readily available for communication

To Delegate or Not to Delegate?

Rules Section 1.7 Delegation: A flowchart for delegating tasks

Step 1: Prerequisites for delegation have been met
Veterinarian creates 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!

Delegation Prerequisites

Veterinarian creates a VCPR
Scope of competence is considered
Identify applicable state and federal laws
VTSs and RVTSs can delegate tasks too!

Accepting Delegation

Know if a task is in your scope of competence
Seek clarification or training
Decline if task is outside your legal or professional capabilities
Make sure you know the task list!

Know the RVT Task List

Delegable tasks and required levels of supervision
Vet decides supervision for unlisted tasks
VTSs can work under indirect supervision
Other personnel work under direct or immediate supervision

Click Here For A downloadable task list

Exemptions

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.

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 veterinarians are required to complete 2 hours of CE every licensing cycle on delegating and supervising RVTs, VTSs, and other personnel.

Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice

Rules Section 1.6 Supervision Definitions

To Delegate or Not to Delegate?

Rules Section 1.7 Delegation: A flowchart for delegating tasks

Exemptions

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

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