32-2201. Definitions


In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:


1. "Animal" means any animal other than human.


2. "Board" means the Arizona state veterinary medical examining board.


3. "Certified veterinary technician" means either:


(a) A graduate of a minimum two year American veterinary medical association
accredited program in veterinary technology who has passed a national and a state
veterinary technician examination.


(b) A person who is certified on or before December 31, 2010 pursuant to the rules
adopted by the board.


4. "Consulting" means providing professional or expert advice which is requested by
a veterinarian licensed in this state and is rendered only on a specific case basis.


5. "Controlled substance" means any substance which is registered and controlled
under the federal controlled substances act (P.L. 91-513).


6. "Cremation" means the heating process that reduces animal remains to bone
fragments by combustion and evaporation.


7. "Crematory" means a building or portion of a building that is licensed pursuant
to article 8 of this chapter and that houses a retort in which only animal remains are
cremated.


8. "Direct supervision" means that a licensed veterinarian is physically present at
the location where animal health care is being performed.


9. "Gross incompetence" means any professional misconduct or unreasonable lack of
professional skill in the performance of professional practice.


10. "Gross negligence" means treatment of a patient or practice of veterinary
medicine resulting in injury, unnecessary suffering or death that was caused by
carelessness, negligence or the disregard of established principles or practices.


11. "Indirect supervision" means that a licensed veterinarian is not physically
present at the location where animal health care is being performed but has given either
written or oral instructions for treatment of the animal patient.


12. "Letter of concern" means an advisory letter to notify a veterinarian that,
while there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, the board believes
the veterinarian should modify or eliminate certain practices and that continuation of
the activities that led to the information being submitted to the board may result in
action against the veterinarian's license.


13. "Licensed veterinarian" means a person who is currently licensed to practice
veterinary medicine in this state.


14. "Malpractice" means treatment in a manner contrary to accepted practices and
with injurious results.


15. "Medical incompetence" means lacking sufficient medical knowledge or skills, or
both, to a degree likely to endanger the health of patients or lacking equipment,
supplies or medication to properly perform a procedure.


16. "Negligence" means the failure of a licensed veterinarian to exercise reasonable
care in the practice of veterinary medicine.


17. "Regularly" means that veterinary services are offered to the public once a
month or more frequently.


18. "Responsible veterinarian" means the veterinarian responsible to the board for
compliance by licensed veterinary premises with the laws and rules of this state and of
the federal government pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine and responsible
for the establishment of policy at such premises.


19. "Specialist" means a veterinarian certified as a diplomate in a particular
discipline by a national specialty board or college recognized by the American veterinary
medical association after the completion of additional education and training, an
internship or residency, passing required examinations and meeting any other criteria
required by the various individual national specialty boards or colleges.


20. "Supervising veterinarian" means a licensed veterinarian who is responsible for
the care rendered to an animal by a certified veterinary technician or a veterinary
assistant.


21. "Temporary sites" means sites where outpatient veterinary services are
performed.


22. "Twenty-four hour services" means veterinary services when a veterinarian is on
the premises twenty-four hours a day.


23. "Veterinarian" means a person who has received a doctor's degree in veterinary
medicine from a college of veterinary medicine.


24. "Veterinary assistant" means an individual who provides care under the direct or
indirect supervision of a veterinarian or certified veterinary technician.


25. "Veterinary college" means any veterinary college or division of a university or
college that offers the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent and
that conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the American veterinary
medical association.


26. "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry,
acupuncture, manipulation and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine
and the prescribing, administering or dispensing of drugs and medications for veterinary
purposes.