Business and Professions Code section 4840
(a)
Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants are approved to perform animal health care services not otherwise prohibited by law under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state.(b)
(1)Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants may perform animal health care services not otherwise prohibited by law on those animals housed in public or private animal shelters, humane societies, or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to the direct order, written order, or telephonic order of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state.(2)
An order established by a veterinarian pursuant to paragraph (1) may include any of the following information:(A)
Time periods by which an animal is required to be assessed at intake and monitored while in the custody of an agency.(B)
Protocols to address the treatment of common medical conditions encountered in animals.(C)
Protocols for controlling infectious and zoonotic diseases and for preventing environmental contamination.(D)
Protocols for controlling the acute pain of an animal.(E)
Communication requirements between the registered veterinary technician and the supervising veterinarian.(F)
Euthanasia criteria for medically related cases.(c)
Registered veterinary technicians may perform dental care procedures, including tooth extractions, under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state.(d)
Registered veterinary technicians may apply for registration from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration that authorizes the direct purchase of sodium pentobarbital for the performance of euthanasia as provided for in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 4827 without the supervision or authorization of a licensed veterinarian.(e)
Registered veterinary technicians may act as an agent of the supervising veterinarian in establishing the veterinarian-client-patient relationship for the purposes of administering preventive or prophylactic vaccines or medications for the control or eradication of apparent or anticipated internal or external parasites in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 4826.7.
Source:
Section 4840, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=4840. (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 15, 2025).
