Ohio

The laws governing veterinary technicians in Ohio are found in the state administrative code: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4741-1

Chapter 4741-1 General Provisions

(A) A person desiring to be registered as a registered veterinary technician shall make a written request to the board for registration. Said applicant shall deliver to the board the following:

(1) A completed application supplied by the board;

(2) A photograph of applicant;

(3) A transcript showing satisfactory proof that the applicant has graduated from a board approved veterinary technology program;

(4) A registration fee as prescribed in Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code.

(5) A passing score of four hundred twenty-five or a converted score of seventy-five on the veterinary technician national examination (VTNE).

(B) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule, an applicant for registration must submit to a criminal records check in accordance with section 4741.10 of the Revised Code within a year of requesting registration. The criminal records check must be completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in which the results indicate that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of guilty for any violation set forth in section 4741.22 of the Revised Code.

(1) An applicant requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant's name and address and with the Ohio veterinary medical licensing board name and address.

(2) The applicant shall ask the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant.

(C) Every action of the registered veterinary technician, as related to the practice of veterinary medicine, must be under the supervision of the licensed veterinarian. The registered veterinary technician must not be presented to the public in any way to imply that the registered veterinary technician is licensed to practice veterinary medicine. The licensed veterinarian must not offer, undertake, or represent to the public that the registered veterinary technician is able to diagnose, surgically operate or prescribe for any animal disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition.

(D) The registered veterinary technician shall not diagnose, prescribe or change the prescribed order of the licensed veterinarian for the use of any drug, medicine, appliance or treatment for any animal.

(E) The registered veterinary technician shall not invade the integument or the tissue of any animal for the purpose of performing any phase of a surgical procedure not defined as a normal management practice for livestock. The registered veterinary technician may act as a surgical assistant for a licensed veterinarian.

(F) Prior to the expiration of a biennial registration on March first, in odd-numbered years, the executive director shall cause to be mailed in January of the registration year, a "notice for renewal application," listing the continuing education hours acquired prior to the biennial registration. The registered veterinary technician shall submit the biennial renewal fee as set forth in division (A)(10) of section 4741.17 of the Revised Code.

A registration becomes inactive if not renewed at the end of the biennium. An inactive registration may be reactivated upon application to the board. A registration that is inactive for more than four years expires if no application for reactivation is made. Upon expiration, a registration becomes void.

(G) A waiver for continuing education hours may be granted by the board for unusual circumstances if a request is made in writing to the office of the board. The hours must be made up in the following calendar year, in addition to the regular required continuing education hours. No more than one waiver may be considered within a six-year period.

(H) Registered veterinary technicians are exempt from listing continuing education hours for the first biennium after original registration.

(I) No veterinary technology student shall engage in the duties of a registered veterinary technician unless under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian or his or her assigned registered veterinary technician.

Effective: 12/01/2008

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/02/2008 and 09/02/2013

These laws do change, so it is important to always check for the most accurate versions.