43-50-120. Qualifications to practice telemedicine; prescription, administration, or dispensing of prescription drugs.

A licensed veterinarian may practice veterinary telemedicine in this state if:#

1. (1)

   Such individual is in good standing and primarily practices veterinary medicine in this state through in-person visits with clients and animal patients;#

2. (2)

   Such individual has notified the board of his or her intent to practice veterinary telemedicine and satisfied any additional requirements set forth by the board;#

3. (3)

   Such individual has an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship with any client and animal patient;#

4. (4)

   The animal patient resides within this state at the time the individual practices veterinary telemedicine;#

5. (5)

   Such individual practices veterinary telemedicine in a manner consistent with his or her scope of practice, all federal and state laws, and prevailing professional standards of practice for a veterinarian who provides in-person veterinary services in this state and employs sound, professional judgment to determine whether using veterinary telemedicine is an appropriate method for delivering medical advice or treatment to the animal patient;#

6. (6)

   Such individual takes appropriate precautions to preserve the confidentiality of any client or animal patient’s records; and#

7. (7)

   Such individual informs the client, in writing, of his or her full name, location, license number, licensure status, and limitations involved in accessing veterinary telemedicine and obtains a signed and dated statement from the client indicating receipt of such required information.#

Any prescription, administration, or dispensing of prescription drugs pursuant to this Code section shall be in accordance with all federal and state laws.#

Nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize any licensed veterinarian to prescribe, administer, or otherwise dispense any prescription drug or any other medication or treatment specified by the board, unless such licensed veterinarian or another licensed veterinarian employed at the same veterinary facility has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of a physical examination of the animal at the veterinary facility or during a medically appropriate and timely visit to the premises where the animal is located.#