If you want to become a licensed veterinarian in California, you must graduate from an approved veterinary college or have an equivalent foreign certificate, submit an application, pay a fee, and pass both a national and state law exam (unless you're exempt as a student who completed a recognized course). You'll also need to undergo a background check by providing fingerprints and revealing your licensing history in other places. Your application could be denied if you fall under certain problematic categories outlined in other sections of the law.

If you want to renew your veterinary license in California, you must complete at least 36 hours of continuing education every two years. These courses should relate to veterinary medicine and be from approved organizations like veterinary associations or colleges. You can earn some hours through self-study or volunteer services. The board has the power to approve or reject continuing education providers and may audit applicants to ensure compliance. This rule applies only after your first license renewal. Special circumstances like health issues or military service may qualify for an exemption. Additionally, starting 2018, every vet must complete some training on the use of important antimicrobial drugs every four years.

This law says that if you don’t finish your application within a year of filing it, it will be abandoned, and you'll lose the fee you paid. Any new application after that will be treated as if it's the first time you're applying. Also, you must tell the board if you change your mailing or work address after submitting your application.

This law explains the requirements and conditions for veterinarians to obtain a 'university license' if they are employed by the University of California or Western University of Health Sciences in veterinary medicine. To be eligible, they must pass a legal regulations exam, submit an application, and pay the necessary fees. The license is only valid while employed at these universities and permits the practice of veterinary medicine at university-affiliated locations. It will expire if their employment ends. University license holders do not have to meet regular license renewal requirements but must follow specific renewal and fee rules and are still subject to disciplinary actions.

If you have a professional license, you must display it clearly at your main business location.

Any place where veterinary services are offered in California must be registered with the board, including buildings, kennels, or mobile units. However, mobile units don't need separate registration if they're from the main business location and already included in that registration. Owners need to submit details about the business, including all involved personnel, and report any changes within 30 days. A responsible manager must have a valid veterinary license, which can be updated if the board approves. The registration can't be transferred, and the board needs to be informed of any ownership changes. Only licensed veterinarians or veterinary corporations are allowed to practice veterinary medicine. Telehealth locations are exempt from registration if they meet certain conditions, such as not storing vet materials there and maintaining secure patient records.

If you want to register a location as required by another part of the law, you need to fill out a specific form that the board will give you.

If a veterinary manager is found guilty in a hearing of not keeping their clinic clean or breaking certain rules, the board can take away their operating rights or charge them a fine. They can be fined between $50 and $500 each day until they fix the problem, and the total fine can go up to $5,000.

This law explains that the board will deny, suspend, or revoke the registration of a veterinary clinic if certain conditions occur. If the person in charge stops managing and isn’t replaced, if their license is revoked or suspended, or if the clinic holder practices medicine without a license, their registration is at risk. The board won’t renew registration if no one is managing the facility. Also, if the clinic is involved in unlicensed veterinary practices, registration can be revoked.

If a premise registration expires and is not renewed within five years, you can't renew, restore, reissue, or reinstate it. However, you can apply for a new registration if there are no legal reasons to revoke or suspend a new one, and you pay all the initial registration fees.

This law requires that any place where veterinary services like medicine, dentistry, or surgery are performed must always be clean and hygienic. All equipment and clothing used must meet certain minimum cleanliness standards set by the board.

This law states that if someone owns a veterinary facility but is not a licensed veterinarian in California, they cannot interfere with how licensed vets or registered veterinary technicians make professional decisions. The board overseeing veterinary practices can ask for information, like contracts between the owners and veterinarians, to ensure this rule is followed.

This law requires that any off-campus site for educational programs prominently display a notice informing consumers that the facility is used by veterinary graduate students for diagnosing and treating animals. Importantly, even if a site doesn't follow this rule, it's not considered a crime.

Veterinarians in California must keep a written record of every animal they treat. If an animal owner asks, the veterinarian needs to give them a summary of this record. The details that must be included in these records and summaries are set by the veterinary board. Also, the board decides how long these records need to be kept at the veterinary practice.

This law states that veterinarians in California must keep information about an animal patient, the responsible client, and the care provided confidential. Exceptions exist, such as when the client gives consent, a valid court order demands it, compliance with laws is required, or when a horse involved in racing is concerned. If a client files a legal complaint against the veterinarian, confidentiality may not apply. Veterinarians who improperly disclose information can face criminal and civil penalties. The law allows sharing information to protect animal welfare or for treatment purposes.