Bill
Bill > HF2402
IA HF2402
IA HF2402A bill for an act providing for the administration of a rabies vaccine to an animal by a registered veterinary technician performing the task under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
summary
Introduced
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill provides that a registered veterinary technician acting under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (referred to as a supervising veterinarian) may administer a rabies vaccination to an animal. BACKGROUND. Code chapter 169 regulates the practice of veterinary medicine by an individual who has received a doctor of veterinary medicine degree or equivalent and is licensed by the Iowa board of veterinary medicine (board). Generally, a person who is not a licensed veterinarian cannot practice veterinary medicine. The practice of veterinary medicine includes the prescription or administration of any drug. Certain individuals who are not veterinarians (veterinary auxiliary personnel) may perform delegated tasks under different levels of supervision by a supervising veterinarian, including direct supervision (when the veterinarian is readily available on the premises), intermediate supervision (when the veterinarian is within audible and visual range), and indirect supervision (when the veterinarian has provided written instruction for an animal’s treatment and is readily available by telephone or other means of immediate communication). One type of veterinary auxiliary personnel is a veterinary technician who has graduated from an accredited or approved veterinary technology program, has received a passing score on a national veterinarian technician examination, and is issued a certificate of registration by the board (Code section 169.34). Code chapter 351 requires dogs to be administered a rabies vaccination (Code section 351.35) and administered an antirabies vaccine approved by the department of agriculture and land stewardship (Code section 169.36).
AI Summary
This bill allows registered veterinary technicians, who are individuals certified by the board of veterinary medicine after graduating from an accredited program and passing a national exam, to administer rabies vaccines to animals, provided they are working under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, meaning the veterinarian is readily available or has provided written instructions and is reachable by phone. This change clarifies existing regulations that generally restrict the practice of veterinary medicine, which includes administering drugs, to licensed veterinarians, while also acknowledging that certain veterinary auxiliary personnel can perform delegated tasks under varying levels of supervision. The bill also updates the requirements for rabies vaccinations for dogs, specifying that the vaccine must be approved by the department of agriculture and land stewardship and can be administered by either a licensed veterinarian or a registered veterinary technician under supervision, and that the veterinarian or technician must issue a vaccination certificate and tag for the dog.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House State Government Committee (10:30:00 2/18/2026 RM 103) (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF2402 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF2402.html |
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