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SB 652

Veterinary Professional Associates

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Bradley

Failed Florida bill would have created "Veterinary Professional Associates" license to expand non-veterinarian animal care work under supervision.

Died in Agriculture
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Bill Summary · SB 652

Legislative bill overview

SB 652 would have created a new veterinary licensure category called "Veterinary Professional Associates" in Florida, allowing individuals with specialized training to perform certain veterinary tasks under veterinarian supervision. The bill did not advance beyond committee consideration and died in the Agriculture Committee in June 2025.

Why is this important

This bill addresses potential workforce shortages in veterinary services by expanding who can legally perform veterinary work, which could increase access to animal care services and reduce costs. However, it raises questions about professional standards, consumer protection, and the scope of practice for non-fully-licensed practitioners.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice definition: Unclear boundaries on what tasks VPAs could perform independently versus under direct supervision could create regulatory ambiguity and liability concerns
  • Consumer protection and safety: Questions about whether reduced credentialing requirements might compromise animal welfare or enable underqualified practitioners to cause harm
  • Professional opposition: The Florida veterinary profession likely opposed the measure as a threat to licensure standards and economic interests of DVM-holders

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

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