AB 1502: Veterinary medicine: California Veterinary Medical Board.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law, the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, establishes the California Veterinary Medical Board, until January 1, 2026, within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, and the practice of veterinary medicine. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, authorizes the board to appoint a person exempt from civil service as an executive officer to exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated by the board and vested in them. Existing law establishes the membership of the board, including 4 licensed veterinarians, 1 registered veterinary technician, and 3 public members. Existing law makes a violation of the act a crime.

This bill would extend the existence of the board until January 1, 2030, add an additional registered veterinary technician member to the board, and make conforming changes. The bill would require at least one of the licensed veterinarian members to practice in equine or livestock care, or both.

(2)Existing law requires an individual to meet certain requirements for registration as a veterinary technician, as defined, including furnishing satisfactory evidence of educational or experiential qualifications, as specified.

This bill would expand the qualifications that the applicant for registration as a veterinary technician may furnish as proof of compliance with the educational or experiential qualifications requirement to include, among other things, graduation from a veterinary college recognized by the board. The bill would expand the requirements of registration as a veterinary technician to include, among other things, submission of a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check and a state and federal criminal offender record information search, as specified.

(3)Existing law requires an individual to meet certain requirements for issuance of a veterinary assistant controlled substance permit, including submitting to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information, as specified.

This bill would require an applicant for a veterinary assistant controlled substance permit to disclose each state, Canadian province, or United States territory in which the applicant currently holds or has ever held a license, registration, certificate, or permit to practice veterinary medicine.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 1, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 195, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 1, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 22, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. September 10, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 3242.).
5. September 9, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 9, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2702.).
7. September 4, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. September 3, 2025Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9. August 29, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. August 29, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
11. August 18, 2025In committee: Referred to suspense file.
12. July 1, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.