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  
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.  
;