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H 4278

An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Hawkins and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes a mandatory licensure framework for veterinary technicians, creates a governing board, and defines duties, education, and timelines to full licensure by 2030.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4278

Summary of H 4278: An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians

Overview

  • Bill Number: H 4278
  • Title: An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians
  • Purpose: Establish a formal licensure framework for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts, create a governing board with defined qualifications, and set a timeline for full licensure and rules development.
  • Status: Reported favorably by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means
  • Introduced: July 21, 2025
  • Emergency provision: Declares the act an emergency law to ensure immediate regulation (to preserve public convenience)

Key Provisions

1) Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine (reconstituted)

  • Composition: 4 veterinarians, 3 licensed veterinary technicians, and 2 public representatives.
  • Appointment: Members appointed by the Governor; all must be Massachusetts residents.
  • Qualifications:
    • Veterinarian members: licensed in MA, graduate of an accredited veterinary program, at least 5 years of active practice experience in veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry; cannot be a faculty member at degree-granting institutions.
    • Veterinary technician members: licensed as defined in the bill.
  • Terms: One member appointed annually by the Governor for a 5-year term; no person may be reappointed to succeeding terms.
  • Initial appointments (Section 6): Initial veterinary technician board members will be MA Veterinary Technician Association certified technicians and will serve 3-year terms.

2) Definitions (new/altered)

  • Licensed veterinary technician: Graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology or veterinary nursing program who has passed an approved licensing exam and is licensed in MA.
  • Veterinary assistant: Individual working as part of a veterinary healthcare team who is not a licensed veterinary technician.
  • Veterinary technology: Performance of veterinary medicine services by a licensed veterinary technician under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to carry out medical orders.

3) Licensing and Regulation (new Section 56F added to Ch. 112)

  • Licensure requirement: Individuals must be licensed to practice veterinary technology; only licensees may use the title “veterinary technician.” Violations may be subject to board-imposed fines.
  • Supervised learning: Veterinary technician students or others may perform supervised activities under a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician to learn/practice.
  • Rules and regulations: The board will:
    • Define duties that supervising veterinarians may delegate to licensed techs and to non-licensed assistants
    • Regulate licensing, suspension, revocation
    • Establish continuing education requirements
    • Define criteria for licensure vs. veterinary assistant status
    • Provide guidelines for students working under supervision
  • Exemptions: Applies not to certain research institutions and specific special cases (zoos, aquatic facilities, wildlife facilities, etc., as identified by the board).

4) Implementation Timeline and Regulatory Deadlines

  • Regulations: Board must promulgate regulations under §56F not later than 180 days after the act’s effective date.
  • Public information: Within 180 days, the board must inform veterinarians, practices, and animal hospitals about the differences in duties allowed for licensed veterinary technicians vs. veterinary assistants.
  • Temporary licensure: The board must issue temporary licenses for individuals practicing veterinary technology and create regulations for temporary licensure within 180 days.
  • Full licensure deadline: All individuals practicing veterinary technology who must be licensed under §56F must be licensed by July 1, 2030.

Affected Parties

  • Veterinarians and veterinary practices/animal hospitals: new regulatory framework, duties, and licensure requirements for staff.
  • Veterinary technicians: new licensure regime, title protection, continuing education, and regulatory oversight.
  • Veterinary assistants: distinguished from licensed technicians with defined roles and supervision rules.
  • Institutions exempted: certain research institutions and identified special cases.

Procedural and Timeline Points

  • Emergency enactment signals immediate effect upon passage.
  • Initial regulatory framework and education outreach to occur within 180 days of enactment.
  • Temporary licensure pathway established within 180 days.
  • Full licensure mandated by mid-2030 (July 1, 2030).

Notes

  • The bill advances from committee favorably and is moving to House Ways and Means for fiscal consideration.
  • The text emphasizes licensure, title protection, education requirements, and clear delineation of duties between licensed technicians and assistants.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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