The Practice Act

KRS Chapter 321
KRS 321.175 - Purpose of chapter
KRS 321.181 - Definitions for chapter
KRS 321.185 - Veterinarian-client-patient relationship
KRS 321.186 - Telehealth -- Authorization -- Types
KRS 321.187 - Medical recordkeeping – Access to records
KRS 321.188 - Reporting of animal abuse
KRS 321.189 – Criminal background investigation for applicants
KRS 321.190 - License required to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology
KRS 321.193 - Veterinarian's license -- Requirements
KRS 321.200 - Exemptions from application of chapter
KRS 321.201 - Special permits -- Duration
KRS 321.203 - Veterinary facilities -- Registration
KRS 321.205 - Mobile facilities -- Authorized incidental activities
KRS 321.207 - Authorization to apply to United States Drug Enforcement Administration for controlled substance registration -- Certification of animal control agencies and animal euthanasia specialists -- Possession and storage of drugs used for euthanasia.
KRS 321.208 - Renewal of animal euthanasia specialist certificate and animal control agency certificate
KRS 321.211 - Renewal of veterinarian license -- Fees -- Expiration and termination of license -- Reinstatement -- Continuing education -- Retired or inactive licensure status
KRS 321.221 - Requirements for a credential by endorsement for individuals licensed in other jurisdictions
KRS 321.230 - Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners -- Membership -- Qualifications -- Appointment -- Terms -- Vacancies -- Compensation -- Removal of member
KRS 321.235 - Powers and duties of board -- Personal immunity
KRS 321.236 - Veterinary Facilities and AAHP Facilities -- Administrative regulations -- Registration requirements -- Voluntary inspections by the board -- Disciplinary action against registrant
KRS 321.237 - Veterinary wellness committee
KRS 321.240 - Board officers -- Terms of officers -- Meetings -- Employment of staff
KRS 321.320 - Revolving fund for administration -- Reserve fund
KRS 321.351 - Disciplinary action -- Offenses subject to disciplinary action -- Private admonishment -- Criminal background investigation
KRS 321.352 - Board to establish fines through promulgation of administrative regulations
KRS 321.353 - Emergency order for immediate, temporary suspension of license, certificate, permit, or registration when necessary to protect the public -- Right to appeal
KRS 321.360 - Hearings by board - Appeal
KRS 321.441 - Veterinary technician's license -- Qualifications -- Scope of practice -- Annual fee -- Exception
KRS 321.442 - Renewal of veterinary technician license
KRS 321.443 - Veterinary assistants -- Duties
KRS 321.990 - Penalties

201 KAR Chapter 16
201 KAR 16:500 - Code of Ethical Conduct for veterinarians
201 KAR 16:510 - Fees for Veterinarians
201 KAR 16:512 - Fees for veterinary technicians
201 KAR 16:514 - Fees for animal control agencies and animal euthanasia specialists
201 KAR 16:516 - Fees - other fees
201 KAR 16:520 - Approved veterinary colleges; approved programs for veterinary technicians
201 KAR 16:530 - Examination requirements for veterinarians and veterinary technicians
201 KAR 16:540 - Application requirements for veterinarians and veterinary technicians
201 KAR 16:550 - Authorization for animal control agencies to apply for a restricted controlled substances certificate from DEA
201 KAR 16:552 - Responsibilities for certified animal control agencies; limitations on drugs
201 KAR 16:560 - Certification as an animal euthanasia specialist
201 KAR 16:562 - Duties and responsibilities of an animal euthanasia specialist
201 KAR 16:570 - License renewal for veterinarians and veterinary technicians; renewal notice
201 KAR 16:572 - Certificate renewal for animal control agencies and animal euthanasia specialists; renewal notice
201 KAR 16:580 - Board issued licenses and certificates, inactive and retired statuses
201 KAR 16:590 - Continuing education requirements, veterinarians and veterinary technicians
201 KAR 16:600 - Prescription and dispensation of drugs for animal use
201 KAR 16:610 - Procedures for grievances, investigations, and administrative charges
201 KAR 16:701 - Standards for Medical Records
201 KAR 16:702 - Standards for Veterinary Surgery
201 KAR 16:750 - Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) -- Veterinary assistants -- Scope of Practice and Supervisory Requirements

Policy 2101 – Reinstatement Applications
Policy 2201 - Provisional Licensure for Applicants with Limited Outstanding Application Materials

New administrative regulations and amendments to existing administrative regulations are pending and will be posted in this location following filing with LRC.

The regulations provided in this section are discussion draft documents only, and released solely for early discussion and feedback. These drafts require further work by both the board and stakeholder groups before KBVE will file them with LRC. Finally, when these regulations are filed, they will undergo a public comment period and review by the General Assembly prior to becoming law, which can take at least six (6) months from the date of filing. If you have any comments or questions about these discussion drafts, please email Vet@ky.gov.

Veterinary Facility Registration Regulations:

201 KAR 16:515 – Discussion Draft – Fees for veterinary facility registrations
201 KAR 16:545 – Discussion Draft – Application requirements for veterinary facility registration; Veterinary managers; Registered responsible parties
201 KAR 16:565 – Discussion Draft – Registered Veterinary Facilities – Duties of Registered Responsible Parties and Veterinarian Managers
201 KAR 16:575 – Discussion Draft – Veterinary facilities -- Renewal notice -- Requirements for renewal and reinstatement
201 KAR 16:705 – Discussion Draft – Standards for Veterinary Facilities; General Requirements
201 KAR 16:710 – Discussion Draft – Standards for Mobile Veterinary Facilities
201 KAR 16:715 – Discussion Draft – Standards for 24-Hour Veterinary Facilities
201 KAR 16:720 – Discussion Draft – Standards for Temporary Clinics and High Volume Spay/Neuter Operations

Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Permit and AAHP Facility Registration Regulations:

201 KAR 16:513 – Discussion Draft – Fees for Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Permits
201 KAR 16:517 – Discussion Draft – Fees for allied animal health professional facility registrations
201 KAR 16:523 – Discussion Draft – Approved allied animal health professional programs; education requirements
201 KAR 16:533 – Discussion Draft – Examination requirements for allied animal health professionals
201 KAR 16:543 – Discussion Draft – Application requirements for allied animal health professional permits
201 KAR 16:547 – Discussion Draft – Application requirements for AAHP Facility Registration; AAHP Managers; Registered Responsible Parties
201 KAR 16:563 – Discussion Draft – Responsibilities for allied animal health professionals; limitations on practice
201 KAR 16:567 – Discussion Draft – Registered AAHP Facilities – Duties of Registered Responsible Parties and AAHP Managers
201 KAR 16:573 – Discussion Draft – Renewal requirements for AAHP permits; renewal notice
201 KAR 16:577 – Discussion Draft – AAHP facilities -- Renewal notice -- Requirements for renewal and reinstatement
201 KAR 16:593 – Discussion Draft – Continuing Education Requirements for AAHP Permits

Other proposed Regulations:

201 KAR 16:519 – Discussion Draft – Fees for Facility Inspections
201 KAR 16:805 – Discussion Draft – Facility Inspections

The following statutes and regulations are provided for reference by the veterinary community and the public at large. Be advised: this is not an exhaustive list. Constituents and licensees practicing in Kentucky and should not rely on this list as their sole source of rules related to animals in the Commonwealth. If you have questions about law that may or may not be listed below, please contact the Board at Vet@ky.gov for more information and possible direction to other appropriate agencies who can assist you, including the Office of the State Veterinarian, the Office of the Public Health Veterinarian, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Animal Control Advisory Board, etc.
KRS Chapter 230 – Horse Racing and Showing
KRS Chapter 257 – Livestock and Poultry Disease Control
KRS 257.080 – Animal diseases to be reported
KRS 257.100 – Destruction of suffering, abandoned, or hopelessly diseased animal -- "Abandonment" defined
KRS 257.105 – Sale of unclaimed animals held by veterinarians
KRS Chapter 258 – Animal Control and Protection
KRS 258.015 - Dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies -- Issuance and distribution of certificates -- Tags for dogs -- Requirements for compliance by qualified persons -- Cat and ferret owners -- Feral cats.
KRS 258.119 - Animal control and care fund -- Distribution of moneys – Eligibility requirements.
KRS 258.195 - Employment, appointment, or contract with animal control officers -- Establishment and maintenance of animal shelters -- Intergovernmental agreements -- Authority of animal control officers.
KRS 258.235 - Authority to kill or seize dog -- Return by court to owner of vicious dog -- Liability for damage -- Proceeding by person attacked by dog -- Disposition of dog after seizure -- Powers of animal control officer -- Vicious dog not to run at large.
KRS 258.245 – Dogs with rabies vaccination and identification considered personal property -- Destruction prohibited.
KRS 258.500 – Persons with assistance dogs not to be denied accommodations, transportation, or elevator service -- Conditions -- Exemption from licensing fees -- Denial of emergency medical treatment for assistance dog prohibited.
902 KAR 2:070 – Rabies Control
KRS 258.043 – Mass rabies immunization clinics
KRS Chapter 259 - Strays and Animals Running at Large
KRS Chapter 261 - Stockyards
KRS Chapter 263 – Disposal of dead animals
KRS Chapter 315 – Pharmacists and Pharmacies
201 KAR 2:076 – Compounding
201 KAR 2:311 – Compounding for veterinary use
KRS 525.125 – Cruelty to animals in the first degree
KRS 525.130 – Cruelty to animals in the second degree – Exemptions – Offence involving equines
KRS 525.135 – Torture of a dog or cat
301 KAR 2:075 – Wildlife rehabilitation permit
301 KAR 2:081 - Transportation and holding of live native wildlife
301 KAR 4:110 – Administration of drugs to wildlife
302 KAR 101.010 – Training Requirement for Kentucky animal control officers
302 KAR 20:010 - Definitions for 302 KAR Chapter 20
302 KAR 20:020 - General requirements for interstate and intrastate movement of animals
302 KAR 20:040 - Entry into Kentucky
302 KAR 20:055 - Brucellosis vaccination, testing and branding requirements
302 KAR 20:065 - Sale and exhibition of Kentucky origin animals in Kentucky
302 KAR 20:240 - Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Johne's)
302 KAR 20:250 - Avian influenza
302 KAR 21:001 - Definitions for 302 KAR Chapter 21
302 KAR 21:020 - General livestock and poultry provisions
302 KAR 21:030 - Beef cattle, bison, and veal specific provisions
302 KAR 21:040 - Dairy cattle specific provisions
302 KAR 21:050 - Equine specific provisions
302 KAR 21:060 - Swine specific provisions
302 KAR 21:070 - Ovine, caprine, camelid and cervid specific provisions
302 KAR 21:080 - Poultry specific provisions
302 KAR 22:010 - Procedures for inspection, testing, identification, removal, and disposition of livestock, poultry, and fish
302 KAR 22:020 - Restriction of transportation of livestock, poultry, and fish
302 KAR 22:030 - Livestock, poultry, and fish diseases to be reported
302 KAR 22:040 - Carcass transport and composting
302 KAR 22:050 - Stockyards
302 KAR 22:070 - Restrictions on biological materials in Kentucky
302 KAR 22:080 - Feed restrictions
302 KAR 22:130 – Equine
302 KAR 22:150 – Cervids

DEA – Diversion Control Division – Registration and Renewal
FDA – Resources for Veterinarians
FDA – Animal Drug Compounding
FDA – Antimicrobial Resistance
USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

From 2021-2023, the KBVE proposed a legislative package to fully modernize the Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. The board engaged stakeholders throughout the development process, and presents the following documents for public review. In 2023, HB 167, sponsored by Rep. Matt Koch, passed both the Kentucky House and Senate and was signed by the Governor. The law shall become effective in July 2023. Any questions or comments may be addressed to Vet@ky.gov, or via post to the board’s mailing address.

Press Release - HB 167 signed into law by Governor
Highlights of Modernization (One page)
Modernization White Paper
Modernization Bill Proposal – Marked-up version (Compared to original Statutes)
Modernization Bill Proposal - Bill Section Key
2023 RS HB 167 – SCS1 (current version of bill)
Find a Bill on LRC
KVMA Survey Results (Jan 2023)
Stakeholder Meeting Announcement (Spring 2022)
Stakeholder Meeting Schedule (Spring 2022)

Records Custodian: Michelle Shane
Contact Phone: 502-782-0273
Contact Email: Vet@ky.gov
Mailing Address KBVE, 107 Corporate Drive,
Second Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601
Agency ORR Rules:
KRS 61.876 – Agency to adopt rules and regulations – Standardized form to request public records
001 KAR 5:010 – Accession of public records by means of electronic data processing procedures
020 KAR 1:010 – Access to public records of State Treasury
200 KAR 1:020 – Access to public records
Records Retention Schedule:
General Schedule for State Agencies
KBVE Specific Schedule for Agency Specific Materials, PDF pages 25-26
Open Records Request Form (PDF)
Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA)

The Kentucky Practice Act

Statutes – KRS Chapter 321, The Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act

Regulations – 201 KAR Chapter 16

KBVE Policies

Regulations – Filed with LRC (proceeding through administrative rule making process)

Regulations – DISCUSSION DRAFTS (seeking public comment prior to filing with LRC)

Veterinary Facility Registration Regulations:

Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Permit and AAHP Facility Registration Regulations:

Other proposed Regulations:

Other Kentucky Statutes and Regulations related to the Practice of Veterinary Medicine

Federal Rules and Guidance related to the Practice of Veterinary Medicine

Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act Modernization

Open Records Requests (ORRs)