DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

VETERINARY MEDICINE - GENERAL RULES

Filed with the secretary of state on March 22, 2023

These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted

under section 33, 44, or 45a(9) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA

306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become

effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.

(By authority conferred on the department of licensing and regulatory affairs by sections

16145, 16215, 16287, and 18813 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL

333.16145, 333.16215, 333.16287, and 333.18813, and Executive Reorganization Order

Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and

445.2030)

R 338.4901a, R 338.4903, R 338.4904, R 338.4905, R 338.4906, R 338.4907, R

338.4907a, R 338.4907b, R 338.4907c, R 338.4909, R 338.4910, and R 338.4921 of the

Michigan Administrative Code are amended, as follows:

PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

R 338.4901a Telehealth services.

Rule 1a. (1) A veterinarian providing a telehealth service shall do all of the following:

(a) Ensure that the client knows the identity and contact information of the veterinarian

providing the telehealth service. Upon request, the veterinarian shall provide his or her

licensure information including the name of the state where he or she is licensed and his

or her license number.

(b) Ensure that the technology method and equipment used to provide telehealth

services complies with all current privacy-protection laws.

(c) Employ sound professional judgment to determine whether using telehealth is an

appropriate method for delivering medical advice or treatment to the animal patient.

(d) Have sufficient, current knowledge of the animal patient to render telehealth

services demonstrated by satisfying 1 of the following:

(i) Except in the case of an emergency, have recently examined the animal patient in

person.

(ii) Have conducted medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the

group of animal patients is kept.

(e) Act within the scope of his or her practice.

(f) Exercise the same standard of care applicable to a traditional, in-person veterinary

care service.

January 11, 2022

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(g) Make himself or herself readily available to the animal patient for follow up

veterinary services or ensure there is another suitable provider available for follow up

care.

(2) Consent for medical advice and treatment shall be obtained before providing a

telehealth service pursuant to section 16284 of the code, MCL 333.16284.

(3) Evidence of consent for medical advice and treatment must be maintained in the

animal patient’s medical record.

(4) A veterinarian providing a telehealth service may prescribe a drug if the veterinarian

is a prescriber acting within the scope of his or her practice and in compliance with

section 16285 of the code, MCL 333.16285.

PART 2. EXAMINATION AND EDUCATION

R 338.4903 Examination; approval and adoption; passing score.

Rule 3. (1) The board approves and adopts the North American Veterinary Licensing

Examination (NAVLE) developed by the International Council for Veterinary

Assessment (ICVA) or its successor organization.

(2) The passing score for the NAVLE is the score determined by the ICVA or its

successor organization.

R 338.4904 Approval of veterinary colleges; adoption of standards.

Rule 4. (1) The board approves and adopts by reference the standards for Accrediting

Colleges of Veterinary Medicine adopted by the American Veterinary Medical

Association (AVMA) Council on Education entitled "Accreditation Policies and

Procedures of the AVMA Council on Education," September 2020, revised December

2020.

(2) A copy of the “Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA Council on

Education” is available at https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/coe_pp-July-

2021.pdf . A copy is available for inspection and distribution at a cost of 10 cents per

page from the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Bureau of Professional Licensing,

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 611 West Ottawa, P.O. Box 30670,

Lansing, Michigan 48909.

PART 3. LICENSURE

R 338.4905 Licensure by examination; requirements.

Rule 5. An applicant for a veterinary license by examination shall submit a completed

application on a form provided by the department, together with the required fee. In

addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative rules

promulgated under the code, an applicant shall satisfy both of the following:

(a) Have satisfied 1 of the following educational requirements:

(i) Graduated from a veterinary college that satisfies the requirements of R 338.4904.

(ii) Obtained a certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary

Graduates (ECFVG) of the AVMA.

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(iii) Obtained a certificate from the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary

Education Equivalence (PAVE) from the American Association of Veterinary State

Boards (AAVSB).

(b) Have achieved a passing score on the examination adopted in R 338.4903.

R 338.4906 Licensure by endorsement; requirements.

Rule 6. An applicant for a veterinary license by endorsement shall hold a license in good

standing and be actively practicing in another state or province of Canada and submit a

completed application on a form provided by the department together with the required

fee. In addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative rules

promulgated under the code, an applicant shall satisfy all of the requirements as noted by

(√) below:

(a) An applicant who is licensed Licensed for less than 5

Licensed 5 years or more.

in another state.

years.

(i)

Establish that he or she is

of good moral character

as defined under 1974

PA 381, MCL 338.41 to

338.47.

√

(ii)

Submit fingerprints as

required under section

16174(3) of the code,

MCL 333.16174.

√

(iii) Have satisfied 1 of the

following requirements:

(A) Graduated from a

veterinary college that

satisfies R 338.4904.

(B) Obtained a

certificate from the

ECFVG of the AVMA.

(C) Obtained a

certificate from the

PAVE from the AAVSB.

(iv) Have achieved a passing

score on the examination

adopted under R

√

338.4903.

(v)

Comply with both of the

following:

√

(A) Disclose each

license, registration, or

certification in a health

profession or specialty

issued by any other state,

the United States

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military, the federal

government, or another

country on the

application form.

(B) Satisfy the

requirements of section

16174(2) of the code,

MCL 333.16174, which

includes verification

from the issuing entity

showing that disciplinary

proceedings are not

pending against the

applicant and sanctions

are not in force at the

time of application.

(b) An applicant who is licensed Licensed for less than 5

Licensed 5 years or more.

in a province of Canada.

years.

(i)

Establish that he or she is

of good moral character

as defined under 1974

PA 381, MCL 338.41 to

338.47.

√

(ii)

Submit fingerprints as

required under section

16174(3) of the code,

MCL 333.16174.

√

(iii) Have satisfied 1 of the

following requirements:

(A) Graduated from a

veterinary college that

satisfies R 338.4904.

(B) Obtained a

certificate from the

ECFVG of the AVMA.

(C) Obtained a

certificate from the

PAVE from the AAVSB.

(iv) Have achieved a passing

score on the examination

adopted under R

√

338.4903.

(v)

Comply with both of the

following:

√

(A) Disclose each

license, registration, or

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certification in a health

profession or specialty

issued by any other state,

the United States

military, the federal

government, or another

country on the

application form.

(B) Satisfy the

requirements of section

16174(2) of the code,

MCL 333.16174, which

includes verification

from the issuing entity

showing that disciplinary

proceedings are not

pending against the

applicant and sanctions

are not in force at the

time of application.

R 338.4907 Educational limited license; requirements; limitations.

Rule 7. (1) An applicant for an educational limited license shall submit a completed

application on a form provided by the department, together with the requisite fee. In

addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative rules

promulgated under the code, an applicant shall meet both of the following:

(a) Achieve a passing score on the examination adopted in R 338.4903.

(b) Be admitted as a student to a postgraduate training program at a college of

veterinary medicine that satisfies the requirements of R 338.4904.

(2) The holder of an educational limited license shall not do either of the following:

(a) Engage in the practice of veterinary medicine outside of his or her postgraduate

training program in the college of veterinary medicine approved by the board for the

training.

(b) Hold himself or herself out to the public as being independently engaged in the

private practice of veterinary medicine.

R 338.4907a Clinical academic limited license requirements; limitations.

Rule 7a. (1) An applicant for a clinical academic limited license shall submit a

completed application on a form provided by the department, together with the requisite

fee. In addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative rules

promulgated under the code, the applicant shall have been appointed to the academic

faculty of a Michigan college of veterinary medicine that is approved by the board

pursuant to R 338.4904.

(2) A clinical academic limited license authorizes the holder to engage in the practice of

veterinary medicine only to the extent necessary to fulfill his or her employment

obligations as a clinical instructor at a college of veterinary medicine approved by the

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board. The holder of a clinical academic limited license shall not do either of the

following:

(a) Engage in the practice of veterinary medicine outside of the limitations specified by

the college of veterinary medicine at the time of appointment to the academic faculty and

in conjunction with the application for limited license.

(b) Hold himself or herself out to the public as being independently engaged in the

private practice of veterinary medicine.

R 338.4907b Senior student limited license requirements; limitations.

Rule 7b. (1) An applicant for a senior student limited license issued pursuant to section

18812(1) of the code, MCL 333.18812, shall submit a completed application on a form

provided by the department, together with the requisite fee. In addition to meeting the

requirements of the code and the administrative rules promulgated under the code, the

applicant must be a senior student in a doctor of veterinary medicine program at a college

of veterinary medicine approved by the board pursuant to R 338.4904 and satisfy all of

the following:

(a) Provide a letter of enrollment as a senior student in good standing from the dean of

a veterinary school approved by the board pursuant to R 338.4904.

(b) Achieve a passing score on the examination adopted in R 338.4903.

(c) Submit a form provided by the department that contains the name and signature of

the Michigan-licensed supervising veterinarian acknowledging assumption of the

supervisory responsibilities included in section 18802(4) of the code, MCL 333.18802.

(2) A senior student limited licensee shall not do either of the following:

(a) Engage in the practice of veterinary medicine except under the supervision of the

Michigan-licensed veterinarian who signed the form submitted to the department

pursuant to subrule (1)(c) of this rule.

(b) Hold himself or herself out to the public as being independently engaged in the

private practice of veterinary medicine.

(3) The senior student limited license is granted for 1 year and may not be renewed.

R 338.4907c Graduate of nonapproved veterinary education program limited license;

requirements; limitations.

Rule 7c. (1) An applicant for a graduate of a nonapproved veterinary education program

limited license issued pursuant to section 18812(2) of the code, MCL 333.18812, shall

submit a completed application on a form provided by the department, together with the

requisite fee. In addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative

rules promulgated under the code, the applicant shall satisfy all of the following:

(a) Provide proof that he or she is a graduate of a veterinary education program. If

documentation submitted pursuant to this subrule is in a language other than English, an

original, official translation must also be submitted.

(b) Submit a form provided by the department that contains the name and signature of

the Michigan-licensed supervising veterinarian acknowledging assumption of the

supervisory responsibilities included in section 18802(4) of the code, MCL 333.18802.

(2) A graduate of a nonapproved veterinary education program limited licensee shall not

do either of the following:

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(a) Engage in the practice of veterinary medicine except under the supervision of the

Michigan-licensed veterinarian who signed the form submitted to the department

pursuant to subrule (1)(b) of this rule.

(b) Hold himself or herself out to the public as being independently engaged in the

private practice of veterinary medicine.

(3) The graduate of a nonapproved education program limited license is granted for 1

year and may not be renewed.

R 338.4909 Relicensure.

Rule 9. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed may be relicensed under section

16201(3) or (4) of the code, as applicable, MCL 333.16201, if the applicant meets the

requirements of the code and the administrative rules promulgated under the code and

satisfies the following requirements as indicted by a (√) below:

(a) For an applicant who has let his or her

Michigan license lapse and is not currently

licensed in another state or province of

Canada.

Lapsed

0-3 years

Lapsed more

than 3 years

(i)

Submit a completed application on a

form provided by the department,

together with the required fee.

Establish that he or she is of good

moral character as defined under

1974 PA 381, MCL 338.41 to

338.47.

√

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Submit fingerprints as required

under section 16174(3) of the code,

MCL 333.16174.

Submit proof of having completed

45 hours of continuing education that

satisfy the requirements of R

338.4933.

Pass the examination approved

pursuant to R 338.4903 within 1 year

of submitting the application for

relicensure.

An applicant who is or has ever been

licensed, registered, or certified in a

health profession or specialty by any

other state, the United States

military, the federal government, or

another country, shall do both of the

following:

√

(v)

√

(vi)

(A) Disclose each license,

registration, or certification on the

application form.

(B) Satisfy the requirements of

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section 16174(2) of the code, MCL

333.16174, which includes

verification from the issuing entity

showing that disciplinary

proceedings are not pending against

the applicant and sanctions are not in

force at the time of application.

(b) For an applicant who has let his or her

Michigan license lapse and is currently

licensed in another state or province of

Canada.

Lapsed

0-3 years

Lapsed more than

3 years

(i)

Submit a completed application on a

form provided by the department,

together with the required fee.

Establish that he or she is of good

moral character as defined under

1974 PA 381, MCL 338.41 to

338.47.

√

(ii)

(iii) Submit fingerprints as required under

section 16174(3) of the code, MCL

333.16174.

√

(iv)

Submit proof of having completed 45 √

hours of continuing education that

satisfy the requirements of R

338.4933.

(v)

An applicant who is or has ever been

licensed, registered, or certified in a

health profession or specialty by any

other state, the United States

military, the federal government, or

another country, shall do both of the

following:

√

(A) Disclose each license,

registration, or certification on the

application form.

(B) Satisfy the requirements of

section 16174(2) of the code, MCL

333.16174, which includes

verification from the issuing entity

showing that disciplinary

proceedings are not pending against

the applicant and sanctions are not in

force at the time of application.

(2) If relicensure is granted and it is determined that a sanction has been imposed by

another state, the United States military, the federal government, or another country, the

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disciplinary subcommittee may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of

the code, MCL 333.16174.

PART 4. SUPERVISION AND DELEGATION

R 338.4910 Supervision of veterinary technician or limited licensee by

veterinarian; delegation to and supervision of a veterinary student or veterinary

assistant.

Rule 10. (1) A veterinarian who is supervising a veterinary technician or limited

licensee shall provide the supervision included in section 18802(4) of the code, MCL

333.18802, which requires that degree of close physical proximity necessary for the

supervising veterinarian to directly observe and monitor the performance of the

veterinary technician or limited licensee to ensure that the technician’s or limited

licensee’s performance is within the scope of the order, assignment, or prescription of the

veterinarian and being performed with the skill expected by the supervising veterinarian.

(2) A veterinarian may delegate the performance of an act, task, or function that falls

within the practice of veterinary medicine to a veterinary student or veterinary assistant

who is qualified to perform the act, task, or function if the veterinarian complies with

both of the following:

(a) Before delegating an act, task, or function that falls within the practice of veterinary

medicine, the veterinarian shall first examine the animal patient on which the delegated

act, task, or function is to be performed and determine the appropriate treatment for the

animal patient.

(b) As permitted by section 16215(6) of the code, MCL 333.16215, the delegating

veterinarian shall maintain the degree of close proximity necessary to observe, monitor,

and provide the supervision required for the supervising veterinarian to directly observe

and monitor the performance of the veterinary student or veterinary assistant to ensure

that the student’s or assistant’s performance is within the scope of the order, assignment,

or prescription of the veterinarian and being performed with the skill expected by the

supervising veterinarian.

PART 5. MEDICAL RECORDS

R 338.4921 Medical records; requirements.

Rule 21. (1) A veterinarian who practices veterinary medicine in this state shall maintain

a medical record for each animal patient, herd, flock, or other group of animals that

accurately reflects the veterinarian's evaluation and treatment of the animal patient or

group of animals rendered in person or through a telehealth service. Entries in the

medical record must be made in a timely fashion.

(2) Records must be legible and retrievable. A record may be maintained in either a

written, electronic, audio, or photographic format.

(3) A record for an individual animal patient, group, herd, flock, or other group of

animals must document all of the following:

(a) Identification including, but not limited to, a tattoo, tag number, lot number, pen

number, age, name, markings, sex, and species, as available.

(b) Date of the last veterinary service.

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(c) Name, address, and telephone number of the client.

(d) Location of the animal patient or patients, if not at the location of the veterinary

practice.

(e) Reason for the contact including, but not limited to, the case history, problem or

signs of a problem, and whether the contact was a routine health visit or an emergency

call.

(f) Vaccination history, if known.

(g) Results of the physical examination and a list of abnormal findings.

(h) Laboratory reports and other reports, if known.

(i) Diagnostic procedures utilized and the reports that pertain to these procedures.

(j) Procedures performed including, but not limited to, surgery and rectal palpations.

(k) Daily progress notes, if hospitalized.

(l) Informed consent, if appropriate.

(m) Diagnostic options and treatment plans.

(n) Any client communication deemed relevant.

(o) Prescribed medication.

(4) Records must be maintained for a minimum of 7 years from the date of the last

veterinary service.

(5) Medical records are confidential and must not be released without the consent of the

client or as required to protect public health or by law.

(6) Copies of complete medical records must be provided upon written or oral request

from the client.