Iowa § 169.31 - 169.31 Subchapter definitions.

§ 169.31. 169.31 Subchapter definitions.

As used in this subchapter: 1. “Accredited or approved veterinary technology program” means a program in veterinary technology that is accredited by the American veterinary medical association and an accrediting agency that has been approved by the United States department of education or its successor. 2. “Direct supervision” means supervision by a supervising veterinarian that occurs when the supervising veterinarian is readily available and on the premises where an animal patient is being provided authorized veterinary medical services by veterinary auxiliary personnel. 3. “Immediate supervision” means supervision by a supervising veterinarian that occurs when the supervising veterinarian is in the immediate area, and within audible and visual range, of an animal patient and veterinary auxiliary personnel providing the animal patient with authorized veterinary medical services. 4. “Indirect supervision” means supervision by a supervising veterinarian, other than direct supervision or immediate supervision, that occurs when all of the following apply: a. The supervising veterinarian has given written protocols or real-time oral instructions to veterinary auxiliary personnel for the treatment of an animal patient for which a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists. b. The supervising veterinarian is readily available by telephone or other means of immediate communication with the veterinary auxiliary personnel providing the animal patient with authorized veterinary medical services. 5. “Registered veterinary technician” means an individual who has graduated from an accredited or approved veterinary technology program and who has been issued a valid certificate of registration by the board pursuant to section 169.34. 6. “Supervising veterinarian” means a licensed veterinarian who assumes responsibility for supervising veterinary auxiliary personnel providing authorized veterinary medical services to an animal patient under immediate supervision, direct supervision, or indirect supervision. 7. a. “Veterinary assistant” means an individual employed to work in veterinary practice who performs tasks under the supervision of a supervising veterinarian. b. “Veterinary assistant” does not include a person who is a licensed veterinarian or a registered veterinary technician, veterinary student, veterinary technician student, or graduate from a foreign college of veterinary medicine who is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the board. 8. “Veterinary auxiliary personnel” means a veterinary assistant, registered veterinary technician, veterinary student, veterinary technician student, or graduate of a foreign college of veterinary medicine who is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the board. 9. “Veterinary student” means an individual currently admitted to and in good academic standing with an accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine. 10. “Veterinary technician student” means an individual currently admitted to and in good academic standing with an accredited or approved veterinary technology program. 2023 Acts, ch 155, §10, 24 Thu Dec 11 18:43:27 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 169.31 (10, 0)