SB 105: Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians; licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teleadvice; authorize

Georgia law currently does not spell out how veterinarians can use phone or video technology to treat or advise clients about their animals. This bill amends Georgia's veterinary licensing law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 50 of Title 43) to define and authorize three new categories of remote practice: veterinary teleadvice (general advice not tied to a specific animal), veterinary teletriage (assessing an animal remotely to decide if an in-person vet visit is urgently needed), and veterinary telemedicine (using technology to practice veterinary medicine with an existing client relationship). The bill sets conditions for each, such as requiring an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship for telemedicine, in-state residency of the animal, written disclosures to clients, and limits on prescribing drugs remotely. It also lets the State Board of Veterinary Medicine license graduates of foreign veterinary schools who hold specialty board certification, but only to practice within that specialty. Licensing-related sections take effect upon the Governor's signature; the rest of the bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

• Creates and defines three new categories of remote veterinary practice: veterinary teleadvice, veterinary teletriage, and veterinary telemedicine.
• Allows licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary telemedicine only if they have an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship and meet disclosure, confidentiality, and prescribing rules.
• Allows veterinarians or supervised veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teletriage without an existing client relationship if no vet is available within 50 miles within 24 hours.
• Permits veterinary teleadvice, general guidance not specific to one animal, from either veterinarians or veterinary technicians without requiring an existing client relationship.
• Creates a new licensing path for graduates of foreign veterinary schools who complete a two-plus-year residency and hold specialty board certification, limiting their practice to that specialty.
• Expands the State Board of Veterinary Medicine's authority to license, regulate, and discipline practitioners of these new telehealth categories.

Licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians in Georgia, pet owners and livestock owners who use remote veterinary services, the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, veterinary facilities and clinics, and foreign-trained veterinarians seeking specialty licensure in Georgia.

Georgians in rural areas or facing long waits for in-person vet appointments could get faster remote guidance or triage for sick animals. The bill also sets guardrails, such as written disclosures and limits on prescribing drugs remotely, and opens a licensing route for specialty-trained foreign veterinarians.

• Section 1 adds definitions for 'veterinary teleadvice,' 'veterinary telemedicine,' and 'veterinary teletriage' and updates the definition of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
• Section 2 expands the State Board of Veterinary Medicine's licensing and disciplinary powers to cover the new telehealth categories.
• Section 3 requires anyone practicing veterinary telemedicine, teletriage, or teleadvice to be a licensed veterinarian or technician (or hold a valid temporary license).
• Section 4 creates a licensing path for foreign veterinary school graduates who complete a residency of two or more years and hold recognized specialty board certification, restricted to that specialty.
• Section 5 exempts specialty-certified foreign-trained veterinarians from licensure violations when lecturing or teaching within their certified specialty.
• Section 6 adds a new Article 7 (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-50-120 through 43-50-122) setting detailed conditions for telemedicine, teletriage, and teleadvice, including the 50-mile/24-hour rule for teletriage and written disclosure requirements.
• Section 7 makes the licensure provisions (Sections 4 and 5) effective immediately upon the Governor's signature, with all other sections effective July 1, 2025.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
2. 2025-05-13Act 190
3. 2025-05-13Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-27House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-27House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-31)Primary sponsor
• Sam Watson (R, SD-11)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-8)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-49)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-50)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-24)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-4)
• Larry Walker, III (R, SD-20)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-46)
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-11)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 excused)

   PASSAGE: Senate Vote #162

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 27, 2025

   168 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 10 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #324

3. PassedSenate voteApril 4, 2025

   51 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 1 excused)

   AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #476

• veterinary telemedicine
• animal health licensing
• rural veterinary access
• pet care regulations