Latest News & Announcements

Beginning January 1, 2021, individuals in the following categories who apply for licensure with the Veterinary Medical Board may seek an expedited licensure process.

1. Refugees pursuant to section 1157 of title 8 of the United States Code;
2. Those granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to section 1158 of title 8 of the United States Code; or,
3. Individuals with a special immigrant visa that have been granted a status pursuant to section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or section 602(b) of title VI of division F of Public Law 111-8.

In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide documentation of their refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Please note that this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited.

Click here for information and documentation examples.

The Veterinary Medical Board (Board) is sharing the following guidance regarding instances where a prescriber may not have utilized a compliant security prescription form for a controlled substance on and after January 1, 2021, as required by Assembly Bill 149 (Statutes of 2019).

To reduce potential negative impact to patients, the Board would like to remind prescribers and pharmacists of the provisions related to oral or electronically transmitted prescriptions for any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV and V, Health and Safety Code section 11164(b). Additionally, the Board encourages prescribers and pharmacists to work together as appropriate to address the needs of patients in possession of noncompliant forms.

For additional information on new compliant security prescription forms, please see the Joint Statement and FAQs from the California Department of Justice, the California State Board of Pharmacy, and the Medical Board of California.

Starting January 1, 2021, California state law requires 15 security elements, including a 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode, to appear on California Security Prescription Forms. State law also requires California Security Prescription Forms to be produced by printers approved by the California Department of Justice’s California Security Prescription Printers Program.

The Veterinary Medical Board urges licensees to verify their prescription forms are compliant with state law prior to issuing prescriptions. Prescribers who do not possess these prescription pads are encouraged to place an order as soon as possible from a Security Prescription Printer approved by the Department of Justice. Doing so will help ensure you receive compliant prescription pads in a timely manner.

California-approved security printers have been issuing these prescription pads since the beginning of 2020. Starting January 1, 2021, except for limited emergency situations, pharmacists will be unable to fill a controlled substances prescription that is not on a compliant form.

Pursuant to California law, prescription forms for controlled substances must be printed with the following features:

1. A latent, repetitive “void” pattern across the entire front of the prescription blank; if a prescription is scanned or photocopied, the word “void” shall appear in a pattern across the entire front of the prescription.
2. A watermark on the backside of the prescription blank; the watermark shall consist of the words “California Security Prescription.”
3. A chemical void protection that prevents alteration by chemical washing.
4. A feature printed in thermochromic ink.
5. An area of opaque writing so that the writing disappears if the prescription is lightened.
6. A description of the security features included on each prescription form.
7. (A) Six quantity check off boxes on the form so that the prescriber may indicate the quantity by checking the applicable box where the following quantities shall appear:
   • 1–24
   • 25–49
   • 50–74
   • 75–100
   • 101–150
   • 151 and over.
   (B) In conjunction with the quantity boxes, a space shall be provided to designate the units referenced in the quantity boxes when the drug is not in tablet or capsule form.
8. Prescription blanks shall contain a statement printed on the bottom of the prescription blank that the “Prescription is void if the number of drugs prescribed is not noted.”
9. The preprinted name, category of licensure, license number, federal controlled substance registration number, and address of the prescribing practitioner.
10. Check boxes on the form so that the prescriber may indicate the number of refills ordered.
11. The date of origin of the prescription.
12. A check box indicating the prescriber’s order not to substitute.
13. An identifying number assigned to the approved security printer by the Department of Justice.
14. A check box by the name of each prescriber when a prescription form lists multiple prescribers.
15. A unique serialized number, which must be:
    • Compliant with all state and federal requirements.
    • Utilizable as a barcode that may be scanned by dispensers.
    • Compliant with current National Council for Prescription Drug Program Standards.

Additionally, each batch of controlled substance prescription forms shall have the lot number printed on the form and each form within that batch shall be numbered sequentially beginning with the numeral one.

For more information, please refer to the AB 149 Joint Statement.

Starting January 1, 2021, new laws will impact licensees who prescribe and/or dispense controlled substances.

1. Updated Prescription Pad Security Requirements - starting January 1, 2021, California state law requires 15 security elements, including a 12-character serial number and corresponding barcode, to appear on California Security Prescription Forms. State law also requires California Security Prescription Forms to be produced by printers approved by the California Department of Justice’s California Security Prescription Printers Program. For more information, please refer to the AB 149 Joint Statement.

2. Revised Reporting Requirements for Controlled Substances – starting January 1, 2021, the dispensing of a controlled substance must be reported by the dispensing pharmacy, clinic, or other dispenser to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) within one working day after the medication is released to the patient or the patient’s representative. Veterinarians are exempt from this requirement and are required to report as soon as reasonably possible, but not more than seven days after the controlled substance is dispensed. (Health and Safety Code § 11165, subdivision (i).) Further, this law requires reporting of Schedules II, III, IV, and V drugs dispensed by a pharmacist, clinic, or other dispenser, including a veterinarian. (Health and Safety Code § 11165, subdivision (d).)

Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-39-20, on December 15, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued an Order Waiving License Renewal Requirements (Order). This Order applies to individuals whose active licenses expire between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2021, and temporarily waives:

1. Any statutory or regulatory requirement that individuals renewing a license pursuant to Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code take and pass an examination in order to renew a license; and
2. Any statutory or regulatory requirement that an individual renewing a license pursuant to Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code complete, or demonstrate compliance with, any continuing education requirements in order to renew a license.

Licensees must satisfy any waived renewal requirements within six months of this Order, unless further extended. The temporary waivers do not relieve the licensee from timely complying with any other renewal requirements (e.g., submitting required renewal forms to the Veterinary Medical Board) and do not apply to continuing education, training, or examination required pursuant to a disciplinary order against the licensee.

Pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order N-39-20, on June 4, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued an Order Waiving Restrictions on Telemedicine and Extending Time to Refill Prescriptions (June 4 Order), which contained two waivers regarding the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).

With respect to telemedicine restrictions related to the VCPR, the June 4, 2020 waiver was extended on July 31, 2020, and extended again on September 17, 2020, so that the waiver was in effect through December 31, 2020. On December 15, 2020, the Director issued a new Order (December 15 Order) further extending the June 4 Order waiving, until February 28, 2021, specified telemedicine restrictions related to the VCPR.

For prescription refills associated with the VCPR, the June 4 Order authorized prescription refills up to 18 months for refills based on an in-person examination of an animal patient last performed by a veterinarian between June 1, 2019 and August 1, 2019. On November 25, 2020, the Director withdrew and superseded that waiver and issued an order authorizing prescription refills up to 20 months for refills based on an in-person examination of the animal patient last performed by the veterinarian between June 1, 2019 and August 1, 2019.

On July 31, 2020, the Director issued an order authorizing prescription refills up to 18 months for prescriptions that may be not be refilled between August 2, 2020, and October 1, 2020, due to the one-year time limitation for refilling a prescription from the date the veterinarian last examined the animal patient and prescribed the drug.

On September 17, 2020, the Director issued an order authorizing prescription refills up to 18 months for prescriptions that may be not be refilled between October 2, 2020, and December 31, 2020, due to the one-year time limitation for refilling a prescription from the date the veterinarian last examined the animal patient and prescribed the drug.

The December 15 Order authorizes prescription refills up to 18 months for prescriptions that may be not be refilled between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2021, due to the one-year time limitation for refilling a prescription from the date the veterinarian last examined the animal patient and prescribed the drug.

On December 14, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued a News Release regarding the new requirements for paper prescription forms, effective January 1, 2021.

To learn more, please read The News Release.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has authorized new tax relief and grants to businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. The Veterinary Medical Board is encouraging licensees to determine their eligibility for relief, which includes Tax Relief for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19, $500 Million for New COVID Relief Grant for Small Business, and Increase Funding for the California Rebuilding Fund. For more information, read Governor Newsom’s news release or visit the Business and Employers section of the state’s COVID19.ca.gov website.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some license applicants have had limited or no access to the examinations needed for licensure. On September 30, 2020, the California Department of Consumer Affairs Director issued an order extending the deadline from 60 months to 66 months for veterinarian applicants to take and pass the veterinarian license examinations in order give more time to veterinarian applicants to take the examinations necessary for licensure, a required step to obtain a license with the Veterinary Medical Board. This extension applied to veterinarian applicants whose 60-month period expired between March 31, 2020 and November 30, 2020.

In addition, on November 25, 2020, the Director issued an order extending the examination deadline from 60 months to 66 months for veterinarian applications whose 60-month period expires between December 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021.

This 60-day waiver extension order further extends the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs' (DCA) June 4, 2020 waiver order relating to the requirement that applicants who are already licensed in another state and seeking California licensure from the Board, and temporary licensees, complete a "face-to-face" training class in California in order to qualify for licensure.

The original June 4, 2020 waiver order removed the requirement that training for license applicants who are already licensed out-of-state, and temporary licensees, must be conducted "face-to-face" in California, so that the training may be conducted via appropriate electronic means.

The previous extension order expires on December 1, 2020. The current extension order now expires on January 30, 2021, unless further extended.

Pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order N-39-20, on June 4, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued the Order Waiving Restrictions on Telemedicine and Extending Time to Refill Prescriptions (June 4 Order), which contained two waivers regarding the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). With respect to telemedicine restrictions related to the VCPR, the June 4, 2020 waiver was extended on July 31, 2020, and extended again on September 17, 2020, so that the waiver is in effect through December 31, 2020, unless further extended.

For prescription refills associated with the VCPR, the June 4 Order authorized prescription refills up to 18 months for refills based on an in-person examination of an animal patient last performed by a veterinarian between June 1, 2019 and August 1, 2019. On November 25, 2020, the Director withdrew and superseded that waiver and issued an order authorizing prescription refills up to 20 months for refills based on an in-person examination of the animal patient last performed by the veterinarian between June 1, 2019 and August 1, 2019.

Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-39-20, on October 22, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued DCA-20-69 Waiver Further Extending Division 2 CE and Exam Renewal Requirements, which rescinds DCA Waivers DCA-20-01, DCA-20-27, and DCA-20-53 and temporarily waives, for individuals whose active licenses expire between March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2020:

1. any statutory or regulatory requirement that individuals renewing a license pursuant to Division 2 of the Code take and pass an examination in order to renew a license; and,
2. any statutory or regulatory requirement that an individual renewing a license pursuant to Division 2 of the Code complete, or demonstrate compliance with, any continuing education requirements in order to renew a license.

Licensees must satisfy any waived renewal requirements within six months of this Order, unless further extended.

The Veterinary Medical Board (Board) would like to notify you that the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Health and Human Services have credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers. The Board is sharing this information to provide warning to healthcare providers to ensure that they take timely and reasonable precautions to protect their networks from these threats. Please see additional information at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency website: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-302a.

The Veterinary Medical Board (Board) seeks candidates for a Public Member appointment to its nine-member Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MDC).

Starting January 1, 2021, pads used to write and fill prescriptions for controlled substances are required to have a 12-character serial number, a corresponding barcode, and other security features required by Assembly Bill 149.

California-approved security printers have been issuing these prescription pads since the beginning of 2020. Starting January 1, 2021, except for limited emergency situations, pharmacists will be unable to fill a controlled substance prescription that is not on a compliant form.

Prescribers who do not possess these prescription pads are encouraged to place an order as soon as possible from a Security Prescription Printer approved by the Department of Justice. Doing so will help ensure you receive compliant prescription pads in a timely manner.

Prescriptions issued electronically are not subject to the security features related to paper forms.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some license applicants have had limited or no access to the examinations needed for licensure. The California Department of Consumer Affairs Director issued a waiver to give more time to veterinarian applicants to take the examinations necessary for licensure, a required step to obtain a license with the Veterinary Medical Board.

Details of this waiver can be found here.

Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-39-20, on June 4, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued the Order Waiving Restrictions on Telemedicine and Extending Time to Refill Prescriptions (Order), which contains two waivers regarding the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), described below. The June 4, 2020 waivers were extended on July 31, 2020, and extended again on September 17, 2020, so that the waivers are in effect through December 31, 2020, unless further extended. 

 

Telemedicine for New or Different Medical Conditions: As long as the other VCPR requirements have been met to establish the VCPR, including an initial in-person examination of the animal patient, the Order and related extensions temporarily authorize a veterinarian to use telemedicine to diagnose and treat an animal patient for a new or different medical condition. 

Prescription Refills: The Order and related extensions temporarily authorizes a prescription issued following an in-person examination last performed between June 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, to be refilled by the veterinarian, without another in-person examination, for up to 18 months from the date of the last examination and issuance of prescription. 

 

For discussion of the intent of these waivers and how these temporary waivers can be used in the practice of veterinary medicine, please see the Updated Guidance document here.

Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-39-20, on August 27, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued DCA Waiver DCA-20-53 Waiving License Renewal Requirements, which rescinds DCA Waivers DCA-20-01 and DCA-20-27 and temporarily waives, for individuals whose active licenses expire between March 31, 2020, and October 31, 2020:

1. any statutory or regulatory requirement that individuals renewing a license pursuant to Division 2 of the Code take and pass an examination in order to renew a license; and,
2. any statutory or regulatory requirement that an individual renewing a license pursuant to Division 2 of the Code complete, or demonstrate compliance with, any continuing education requirements in order to renew a license.

Licensees must satisfy any waived renewal requirements within six months of this Order, unless further extended.

This 60-day waiver extension order extends DCA's June 4, 2020, waiver order relating to veterinarian use of telemedicine and refilling veterinary prescriptions.

The original June 4 waiver order accomplished the following:

• Authorized veterinarians to diagnose and treat animal medical conditions via telemedicine in cases where a veterinarian-client-patient relationship was previously established; and
• For prescriptions needing to be refilled between June 1 and August 1, it extended by six months the maximum period within which a prescription may be refilled without an in-person examination of the animal.

The waiver extension order is identical to the original order, except that it would extend the telemedicine portion of the order by 60 additional days from the date of the extended order, and it would extend by six months (from 12 to 18 months) the maximum period within which a prescription needing to be refilled between August 2 and October 1, 2020, could be refilled without an in-person examination of the animal.

This 60-day waiver extension order extends DCA's June 4, 2020, waiver order relating to the requirement that applicants who are already licensed in another state and seeking California licensure from the Board, and temporary licensees, complete a "face-to-face" training class in California in order to qualify for licensure.

The original June 4 waiver order removed the requirement that training for license applicants that are already licensed out-of-state, and temporary licensees, must be conducted "face-to-face" in California, so that the training may be conducted via appropriate electronic means.

The current order expires on August 3, 2020. The extension order extends the prior order by 60 days, to October 2, 2020.

Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-39-20, on June 23, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued an Order Extending Time To Satisfy Examination Requirements (Order) that, among other things, waived California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 2015, subsections (a) and (b), for veterinarian license applicants who must take and pass the three licensure examinations within a 60-month period or else retake all three examinations. 

The Order applies to veterinarian license applicants whose 60-month examination period expires between March 31, 2020, and July 1, 2020. The Order requires those applicants to take and pass the three examinations within 66 months of the administration of the initial examination, and, thereby, gives these applicants an additional six months to take and pass the three examinations.

Pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order N-39-20, on June 4, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued the Order Waiving Restrictions on Telemedicine and Extending Time to Refill Prescriptions (Order), which contains two waivers regarding the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), described below.

Telemedicine for New or Different Medical Conditions: As long as the other VCPR requirements have been met to establish the VCPR, including an initial in-person examination of the animal patient, the Order temporarily authorizes a veterinarian to use telemedicine to diagnose and treat an animal patient for a new or different medical condition. This waiver expires 60 days after the director's order was issued.

Prescription Refills: The Order temporarily authorizes a prescription issued following an in-person examination last performed between June 1, 2019, and August 1, 2019, to be refilled by the veterinarian, without another in-person examination, for up to 18 months from the date of the last examination and issuance of prescription.

For discussion of the intent of these waivers and how these temporary waivers can be used in the practice of veterinary medicine, please see the Guidance document here.

Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-39-20, on June 4, 2020, the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs issued the Order Waiving Face-to-Face Training Requirement (Order) to enable a temporary veterinarian licensee to complete the California Temporary License Curriculum by virtual means. The Order terminates 60 days from the date of the Order, unless further extended.

The Board has received a number of inquiries pertaining to the ability of veterinarians to perform telemedicine services during the COVID-19 related stay-at-home orders. Telemedicine may be conducted by a veterinarian only within an existing Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) and can be used only for specific medical conditions for which the animal patient has been previously examined and diagnosed by the veterinarian.*

Pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, section 2032.1, in order to administer, prescribe, dispense, or furnish a drug, medicine, appliance, or treatment of whatever nature, the veterinarian must first establish a VCPR. The VCPR must be established for each medical condition for which the animal is being treated by the veterinarian, because the regulation requires: (1) the veterinarian to perform an in-person examination of the animal patient to initiate a diagnosis of the medical condition; and (2) the veterinarian to communicate with the client a course of treatment appropriate to the circumstance, or specific condition. (16 CCR § 2032.1(b)(2), (3).)

*If the animal patient is experiencing a medical emergency for which the animal patient has not previously been examined and diagnosed by the veterinarian, the veterinarian may utilize telemedicine only to provide advice until the animal patient can be transported to or seen by a veterinarian. (16 CCR § 2032.1(f).)