# COMAR Title 15 — Maryland Department of Agriculture

## Subtitle 14 — Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

### Chapter 13 — Qualifications for Examination and Registration of a Veterinary Technician

#### Regulation .13 Duties and Restrictions on Registered Veterinary Technicians.

*COMAR 15.14.13.13*

A. A registered veterinary technician may not:

  (1) Diagnose;

  (2) Offer prognosis;

  (3) Prescribe:

    (a) Drugs;

    (b) Medication;

    (c) Appliances;

  (4) Perform surgery; or

  (5) Initiate treatment without prior instruction by a veterinarian.

B. A registered veterinary technician may perform the following procedures under the responsible direct supervision of a veterinarian:

  (1) Inducing anesthesia by intramuscular injection;

  (2) Applying casts and splints;

  (3) Simple dental extractions of loose teeth that do not involve flaps or tooth sectioning;

  (4) Suturing of existing surgical skin or gingival incisions; and

  (5) Accessing a small working stock of Schedule II drugs under separate lock.

C. A registered veterinary technician may perform anesthetic induction by inhalation or intravenous injection if the veterinarian is able to maintain direct visual supervision of the technician’s performance.

D. A registered veterinary technician may administer medication and render other auxiliary or supporting assistance not referenced in §B of this regulation under the responsible direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

E. Emergency Conditions.

  (1) Under emergency conditions only, the following activities may be performed by a registered veterinary technician before a veterinarian’s initial examination of an animal:

    (a) Provide supportive care and first aid; and

    (b) Follow written protocols for specific conditions, as established by the veterinarian.

  (2) If a veterinarian is not available to perform an initial examination of an animal that is presented as an emergency, a registered veterinary technician shall notify the animal’s owner of the:

    (a) Veterinarian’s unavailability;

    (b) Estimated time of arrival of the veterinarian; and

    (c) Estimated distance to another veterinary hospital.

F. If employed at a veterinary hospital, a veterinary technician shall display at that facility the registration that the Board issued to the veterinary technician.