Your Voice Matters: Upcoming Public Hearing on New Veterinary Rules

The Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine has proposed significant amendments to the rules governing our profession.

These changes will impact everything from how we manage our facilities and patient records to the scope of practice for veterinary technicians.

We need your participation. This is a critical opportunity for our community to engage with the Board, ask questions, and ensure our professional standards remain practical and effective.

Hearing Details

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Open to the public via teleconference.

What’s on the Table?

The hearing will be split into two primary areas of focus:

1. Facility and Patient Care Standards (Rule 700-12)

This session will cover updates to:

Facility Standards (.02): New safety criteria, including OSHA-related updates and sanitation requirements.
Record Keeping (.04): Proposed mandates for record continuity in the event of a veterinarian’s incapacitation or demise.
Surgical (.08) & Patient Care (.11) Standards: Clarifications on minimum surgical requirements and daily patient evaluation.

2. Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice (Rule 700-14)

This session addresses how we leverage our team members to prevent burnout and increase access to care:

Supervision Levels (.01, .02, .03): Defining Immediate, Direct, and Indirect supervision.
Task Delegation (.04, .05): Expanding the specific duties LVT’s can perform (such as regional anesthesia, suturing incisions, and certain imaging) to help veterinarians serve a larger client base efficiently.

How to Attend & Participate

The meeting link is open to all members of the public. We strongly encourage you to review the full text of the proposed changes before the hearing:

Pro-Tip: If you cannot attend the live session, you can often submit written comments to the Board ahead of time. Check the official notices above for specific instructions on how to make your voice heard.