Chapter 89

89.02(8)(c) (c) The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up treatment of the patient if the patient has an adverse reaction to veterinary treatment.

89.02(9) (9) “Veterinary drug” means any of the following:

89.02(9)(a) (a) A drug that is recognized as a drug for animal use in the official U.S. pharmacopoeia or the official national formulary or any supplement to either of them.

89.02(9)(b) (b) A drug that is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in an animal.

89.02(9)(c) (c) A drug that is intended to affect the structure or function of the body of an animal, including medicated feed or a growth-promoting implant, but not including feed that does not contain a drug.

89.02(9)(d) (d) A substance that is intended for use as a component of a drug described in par. (a), (b) or (c).

89.02(9)(e) (e) A drug that is produced and intended for human use but that is prescribed by a veterinarian for animal use.

89.02(10) (10) “Veterinary over-the-counter drug” means a drug that is labeled for animal use, that may be dispensed without a prescription and that is not required to bear the label statement: “CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”.

89.02(11) (11) “Veterinary prescription drug” means a drug that may not be dispensed without the prescription of a veterinarian.

89.02(12) (12) “Veterinary technician” means a person duly certified by the examining board to work under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

89.02 History History: 1975 c. 309; 1983 a. 189; 1987 a. 39; 1989 a. 279; 1991 a. 306; 1993 a. 213; 1995 a. 321; 1997 a. 27; 2015 a. 55 s. 2597, 4491; Stats. 2015 s. 89.02; 2015 a. 196.

89.02 Annotation The termination of the life of an animal by injection is not the practice of veterinary medicine. 65 Atty. Gen. 231.

89.03 89.03 Rules.

89.03(1) (1) The examining board shall promulgate rules, within the limits of the definition under s. 89.02 (6), establishing the scope of practice permitted for veterinarians and veterinary technicians and shall review the rules at least once every 5 years to determine whether they are consistent with current practice. The examining board may promulgate rules relating to licensure qualifications, denial of a license, certification, or temporary permit, unprofessional conduct, and disciplinary proceedings.

89.03(2) (2) The examining board shall promulgate rules requiring training and continuing education sufficient to assure competency of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the practice of veterinary medicine, except that the board may not require training or continuing education concerning the use, handling, distribution, and disposal of pesticides other than for disciplinary purposes.

89.03(3) (3) The examining board shall promulgate rules specifying a procedure for addressing allegations that a person licensed or certified by the veterinary examining board under this chapter has practiced as a veterinarian or veterinary technician while impaired by alcohol or other drugs or that his or her ability to practice is impaired by alcohol or other drugs, and for assisting a person licensed by the veterinary examining board under this chapter who requests to participate in the procedure or who requests assistance in obtaining mental health services. In promulgating rules under this subsection, the examining board shall seek to facilitate early identification of chemically dependent veterinarians or veterinary technicians and encourage their rehabilitation. The rules promulgated under this subsection may be used in conjunction with the formal disciplinary process under this chapter. The examining board may contract with another entity to administer the procedure specified under the rules promulgated under this subsection.

89.03 History History: 1987 a. 39; 1989 a. 279; 1995 a. 321; 2003 a. 103; 2009 a. 139; 2015 a. 55 s. 4492; Stats. 2015 s. 89.03; 2017 a. 59.

89.03 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also VE, Wis. adm. code.

89.04 89.04 Violations. The chairperson of the examining board shall institute actions for violations of this chapter by any person and for violations of ch. 450 or 961 by veterinarians. The district attorney of the county in which the offense is committed shall promptly prosecute any such violation upon being informed thereof, from any source.

89.04 History History: 1985 a. 146; 1993 a. 184; 1995 a. 448; 2015 a. 55 s. 4493; Stats. 2015 s. 89.04.

89.05 89.05 Practice; penalties.

89.05(1) (1) Except as provided under sub. (2) and ss. 256.155 and 257.03, no person may offer to practice, advertise to practice or practice veterinary medicine, or use, in connection with his or her name, any title or description which may convey the impression that he or she is a veterinarian, without a license or temporary permit from the examining board. For purposes of this subsection, a person who makes extra-label use of a drug on an animal without a prescription or in any manner not authorized by that prescription is considered to be practicing veterinary medicine.

89.05(2) (2) No veterinary license or temporary permit is required for the following activities or persons:

89.05(2)(a) (a) Artificial insemination, or for continuing the practice of pregnancy examinations of animals when such practice was engaged in prior to February 11, 1968.

89.05(2)(b) (b) Castrating male livestock, as defined in s. 95.68 (1) (d) or for dehorning or branding animals.

89.05(2)(c) (c) Students at a veterinary college approved by the examining board.

89.05(2)(d) (d) Certified veterinary technicians while working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

89.05(2)(e) (e) Employees of the federal government while engaged in their official duties.

89.05(2)(f) (f) Employees of an educational or research institution while engaged in teaching or research. This paragraph does not apply to employees of a school of veterinary medicine in this state who practice veterinary medicine on privately owned animals.

89.05(2)(g) (g) Employees of a school of veterinary medicine in this state who practice veterinary medicine on privately owned animals only as a part of their employment and who are licensed under s. 89.06 (2m).

89.05(2)(h) (h) Graduates of schools outside the United States and Canada who are enrolled in the educational commission for foreign veterinary graduates certification program of the American Veterinary Medical Association while completing the required year of clinical assessment under the supervision of a veterinarian.

89.05(3) (3) Any person violating this section may for the first offense be fined not more than $1,000, and for any 2nd offense within 3 years be fined not more than $3,000.

89.05 History History: 1975 c. 309; 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 337; 1981 c. 125; 1987 a. 39; 1991 a. 306; 1995 a. 321; 2005 a. 96, 237; 2009 a. 42; 2015 a. 55 s. 4494; Stats. 2015 s. 89.05; 2017 a. 166.

89.05 Annotation A license under sub. (2) (a) is not required for person to engage in artificial insemination of animals but is required for persons engaged in pregnancy examinations who were not engaged in practice prior to February 11, 1968. 78 Atty. Gen. 236.

89.06 89.06 Licensure.

89.06(1) (1) Except as provided under ss. 89.072 and 89.073, veterinary licenses shall be issued only to persons who successfully pass an examination conducted by the examining board and pay the fee established under s. 89.063. An applicant for an initial license shall be a graduate of a veterinary college that has been approved by the examining board or have successfully completed either the educational commission for foreign veterinary graduates certification program of the American Veterinary Medical Association or the program for the assessment of veterinary education equivalence offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Persons who qualify for examination may be granted temporary permits to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in the employment and under the supervision of a veterinarian until the results of the next examination conducted by the examining board are available. In case of failure at any examination, the applicant shall have the privilege of taking subsequent examinations, upon the payment of another fee for each examination.

89.06(2m) (2m) 

89.06(2m)(a) (a) Upon application, the examining board may issue a veterinary faculty license to an employee of a school of veterinary medicine in this state who has received the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine from a veterinary college approved by the examining board or if the examining board determines that the person possesses substantially equivalent qualifications. A person holding a veterinary faculty license may practice veterinary medicine on privately owned animals only within the scope of the person’s employment at the school.

89.06(2m)(b) (b) Upon application, the examining board may grant a veterinary postgraduate training permit to a person undertaking intern or resident training at a school of veterinary medicine in this state. The only purpose of the veterinary postgraduate training permit is to provide opportunities in this state for the postgraduate education of persons who have received the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or an equivalent degree but who have not yet met the requirements for licensure in this state. Issuance of a postgraduate training permit does not modify in any respect the requirements for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in this state, and a permit holder may practice veterinary medicine on privately owned animals only within the scope of the permit holder’s internship or residency program. Violation of this restriction or of any applicable provision of this chapter constitutes cause for revocation of the permit.

89.06(2m)(c) (c) A license issued under this subsection expires upon termination of the licensee’s employment at a school of veterinary medicine in this state. A postgraduate training permit expires upon termination of the permit holder’s internship or residency program.

89.06(3) (3) A veterinary technician certification may be issued only to a person who is at least 18 years of age and has either:

89.06(3)(a) (a) Successfully completed a 4-semester course of study in animal technology or its equivalent, at a technical school or college approved by the examining board, and has passed an examination, administered by the examining board, which establishes that the applicant’s knowledge of animals and their treatment is sufficient to qualify the applicant as a veterinary technician; or

89.06(3)(b) (b) Been an employee of a veterinarian for a total of 2 years and has passed an examination, administered by the examining board, which establishes that the applicant’s knowledge of animals and their treatment is sufficient to qualify the applicant as a veterinary technician. The 2-year employment requirement of this paragraph shall include at least 50 percent of the applicant’s time spent in practical field experience and the remainder of the applicant’s time spent in laboratory work, office procedure, and technical veterinary training with a veterinarian.

89.06 History History: 1971 c. 213 s. 5; 1975 c. 309; 1977 c. 29, 418; 1979 c. 34 s. 2102 (58) (b); 1981 c. 125; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 39; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 321; 2001 a. 76; 2003 a. 103; 2009 a. 396; 2015 a. 55 s. 4495; Stats. 2015 s. 89.06; 2015 a. 179; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.

89.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. VE 1 and 2, Wis. adm. code.

89.062 89.062 Renewal; continuing education.

89.062(1) (1) Renewal. The renewal date for veterinary licenses and veterinary technician certifications is December 15 of each odd-numbered year, and the renewal fees for such licenses and certifications are determined by the department under s. 89.063.

89.062(2) (2) Continuing education.

89.062(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in sub. (3), the examining board may not renew a veterinary license unless the applicant certifies that he or she has completed, during the preceding 2-year licensure period, at least 30 hours of continuing education programs or courses approved by the examining board.

89.062(2)(b) (b) Except as provided in sub. (3), the examining board may not renew a veterinary technician certification unless the applicant certifies that he or she has completed, during the preceding 2-year certification period, at least 15 hours of continuing education programs or courses approved by the examining board.

89.062(2)(c) (c) If any complaint is made against a veterinarian or veterinary technician, the examining board may require the veterinarian or veterinary technician to submit proof of the continuing education programs or courses that he or she has completed during the preceding 2-year licensure or certification period.

89.062(3) (3) Exceptions.

89.062(3)(a) (a) Subsection (2) (a) and (b) does not apply to an applicant who applies to renew a license or certification that expires on the first expiration date after initial issuance of the license or certification.

89.062(3)(b) (b) The examining board may waive the requirements of sub. (2) (a) or (b) if it finds that exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged illness, disability, or other similar circumstances, have prevented an applicant from meeting the requirements.

89.062 History History: 2003 a. 103 ss. 2, 4; 2007 a. 20; 2015 a. 55 s. 4496; Stats. 2015 s. 89.062.

89.063 89.063 Fees. The department shall determine by rule the fees for each initial license, certification, and permit issued under ss. 89.06, 89.072, and 89.073, and, if applicable, for renewal of the license, certification, or permit, including late fees, based on the department’s administrative and enforcement costs under this chapter. The department shall notify the holder of each such license, certification, or permit of any fee adjustment under this subsection that affects that license, certification, or permit holder.

89.063 History History: 2015 a. 55, 179.

89.065 89.065 Examinations.

89.065(1) (1) Examinations under this chapter shall be designed to determine whether an applicant is competent to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine and shall be administered at least once annually. Examinations shall be objective and reliable, reasonably related to the skills likely to be needed by an applicant and seek to determine the applicant’s preparedness to exercise such skills.

89.065(2) (2) The examining board may require passage of a nationally recognized examination if the examination meets basic standards of objectivity. The examining board may administer a state written examination in elements of practice that are not covered in a national examination. The examining board may administer a practical or oral examination if such an examination tests knowledge and skills that cannot be measured or tested in a written examination.

89.065(3) (3) The passing score on examinations for licensure and certification shall be determined by the examining board to represent a standard of minimum competency in the profession, as established by the examining board by rule.

89.065 History History: 1987 a. 39; 2015 a. 55 s. 4497; Stats. 2015 s. 89.065.

89.065 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. VE 2, Wis. adm. code.

89.068 89.068 Drugs for animal use.

89.068(1) (1) Prescribing; dispensing.

89.068(1)(a) (a) Extra-label use on animal; prescription required. No person may make extra-label use of a drug on an animal without a prescription or in any manner not authorized by that prescription.

89.068(1)(b) (b) Form of prescription. A prescription shall include all of the following:

89.068(1)(b)1. 1. The name and address of the veterinarian and, if the prescription is a written order, the signature of the veterinarian.

89.068(1)(b)2. 2. The name and address of the client.

89.068(1)(b)3. 3. The species and identity of the patient for which the prescription is issued.

89.068(1)(b)4. 4. The name, strength and quantity of the drug prescribed.

89.068(1)(b)5. 5. The date on which the prescription is issued.

89.068(1)(b)6. 6. The directions for administering the drug.

89.068(1)(b)7. 7. If the patient is a food-producing animal, the withdrawal time for the veterinary drug.

89.068(1)(b)8. 8. If the prescription authorizes extra-label use, the manner in which the client may use the drug.

89.068(1)(b)9. 9. Any cautionary statements required by law.

89.068(1)(c) (c) Prescribing, dispensing and administering requirements for veterinarian. A veterinarian may not do any of the following:

89.068(1)(c)1. 1. Prescribe for or dispense to a client a veterinary prescription drug or a drug for extra-label use without personally examining the patient unless a veterinary-client-patient relationship exists between the veterinarian, client and patient and the veterinarian determines that the client has sufficient knowledge to administer the drug properly.

89.068(1)(c)2. 2. Prescribe or dispense a veterinary prescription drug to a client unless the veterinarian indicates in the appropriate records described under sub. (3), within 72 hours after the prescription is issued or the drug is dispensed, that the prescription has been issued or that the drug has been dispensed.

89.068(1)(c)3. 3. Prescribe a drug to a client for extra-label use on a patient unless all of the following apply:

89.068(1)(c)3.a. a. A veterinary-client-patient relationship exists between the veterinarian, client and patient and the veterinarian has made a careful medical diagnosis of the condition of the patient within the context of that veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

89.068(1)(c)3.b. b. The veterinarian determines that there is no drug that is marketed specifically to treat the patient’s diagnosed condition, or determines that all of the drugs that are marketed for that purpose are clinically ineffective.

89.068(1)(c)3.c. c. The veterinarian recommends procedures for the client to follow to ensure that the identity of the patient will be maintained.

89.068(1)(c)3.d. d. If the patient is a food-producing animal, the veterinarian prescribes a sufficient time period for drug withdrawal before the food from the patient may be marketed.

89.068(1)(c)4. 4. Transmit a prescription electronically unless the client approves the transmission and the prescription is transmitted to a pharmacist or veterinarian designated by the client.

89.068(2) (2) Labeling. A veterinarian or pharmacist may not dispense a drug that has been prepared, mixed, formulated or packaged by the veterinarian or pharmacist unless the veterinarian or pharmacist affixes to the container in which the drug is dispensed a label containing all of the information specified in sub. (1) (b), except the address of the client. A veterinarian or pharmacist may not dispense a veterinary prescription drug that has been prepackaged by its manufacturer for dispensing unless the veterinarian or pharmacist affixes to the container in which the drug is dispensed a label containing all of the information specified in sub. (1) (b), except the address of the client. A veterinarian or pharmacist may dispense a veterinary over-the-counter drug without affixing any information to the container in which the drug is dispensed if a label that has been affixed to the container by its manufacturer provides adequate information for its use.

89.068(3) (3) Prescription records. A veterinarian shall maintain complete records of each veterinary prescription drug that the veterinarian receives, prescribes, dispenses or administers, and of each prescription issued by the veterinarian that authorizes extra-label use. Records of each veterinary prescription drug shall include the name of each veterinary prescription drug that is received, the name and address of the person from whom the drug is received and the date and quantity received, the name and address of the person to whom the drug is dispensed and the date and quantity dispensed and, if the veterinarian prescribes or administers the drug, the information specified in sub. (1) (b). Records of each prescription authorizing extra-label use shall include the information specified in sub. (1) (b). A veterinarian shall maintain records of each veterinary prescription drug under this subsection for not less than 3 years after the date on which the veterinarian prescribes, dispenses or administers the drug or extra-label use.

89.068(4) (4) Enforcement.

89.068(4)(a) (a) Inspections. Except as provided in par. (b), if the examining board has reason to believe that a person is violating or has violated this section, the examining board, the attorney general or the district attorney of the proper county may do any of the following: