Licensure & Delegation

Information on Licensure and Delegation

Is there a way to check on the status of a DVM license?

The Department of Licensing and Affairs (LARA) handles all licensure for health professionals in the State of Michigan. Anyone can verify a license by contacting LARA’s Verification Unit at 517/241-9427 or visiting the State of Michigan website.

What procedures must I supervise and which ones can recent graduates waiting for license approval and licensed veterinary technicians perform on their own?

Within the Board of Veterinary Medicine's Administrative Rules, there is a delegation clause which states:

"A veterinarian shall not delegate the performance of acts, tasks, or functions that fall within the practice of veterinary medicine unless the veterinarian has first examined the animal on which the delegated procedures are to be performed and determined the need for such veterinary services. The delegating veterinarian shall observe and monitor the performance of the delegated procedures to the extent necessary to ensure that the activities of the delegatee are within the scope of the orders, assignments or prescriptions of the veterinarian."

This clause applies to anyone working in a veterinary practice. Also, the definition of "practice of veterinary medicine" in the public health code is:

1. prescribing or administering a drug,
   
2. curing, ameliorating, correcting, reducing, or modifying a disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury in or to an animal, and
   
3. diagnosing or prognosing.
   

Therefore, you would not be able to do those 3 things.

What is the difference between a veterinarian, veterinary technologist, veterinary technician and veterinary assistant?

Persons with varying degrees of educational experience are staffing the veterinary hospital. Tasks performed in the hospital, to provide animal care, should be assigned to persons in the level where education and training exists to ensure a positive outcome for the patient. There may be times when an employee may be asked to work at a level below their expertise, but in keeping with the philosophy of quality animal care, the opposite should not take place.

The veterinarian is solely responsible for diagnosing, prognosing, prescribing medication and performing surgery. They are ultimately responsible for all patient care and outcomes. Most veterinarians apply for veterinary medical school admission while obtaining a bachelor degree in a compatible field. If accepted into a medical school, the course of study usually takes another four years, making that a grand total of eight years of schooling. Every state requires a veterinarian to take and pass a licensing exam. Successful candidates are given a license to practice veterinary medicine.

The veterinary Technicians and technologists are educated to be the veterinarian’s nurse, laboratory technician, radiography technician, anesthetist, surgical nurse and client educator. Many veterinary technicians and technologists are placed in a supervisory role in veterinary practices, research institutions and other employment options. Veterinary technicians can find employment in veterinary practices, biomedical research, zoo/wildlife medicine, industry, military, livestock health management, pharmaceutical sales, etc. A veterinary technician is a graduate from a two-year, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college or university. A veterinary technologist has graduated from an AVMA accredited bachelor degree program. Almost every state requires a veterinary technician/technologist to take and pass a credentialing exam. Passing this exam ensures the public that the veterinary technician has entry-level knowledge of the duties they are asked to perform in the veterinary clinic or hospital.

Michigan does not have a definition for the veterinary assistant per se. The legislation does clearly discuss the technician being a para-professional with a protected title.

Is it illegal to act as an animal chiropractor without a veterinary license?

Yes, practicing chiropractic on an animal without a veterinary license is illegal according to the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine. The veterinary licensing board however has no jurisdiction because the violator is not licensed. This would be the responsibility of the local prosecutor.

In May 2006 MVMA adopted the following position statement: The examination, diagnosis and treatment of nonhuman animals through manipulation and adjustments of the spine, specific joints, cranial sutures, or other tissue, is the practice of veterinary medicine and to be performed only by licensed veterinarians or licensed chiropractors working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

General Information

Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine

LARA, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Administrative Code - Board of Veterinary Medicine, General Rules
Public Health Code - Veterinary Medicine Section

Information on Michigan Licensure

Effective January 1, 2011 licenses and registrations must be renewed online at www.michigan.gov/elicense.

Apply for Your Michigan License
Submit Changes to My Current License
Verify a Michigan License

Apply for Your Controlled Substance License

Effective December 2, 2004 you are no longer required to have a separate controlled substance license for each location in which you prescribe controlled substances. You only need one controlled substance license to prescribe controlled substances in Michigan regardless of the number of locations where you prescribe.

Controlled Substance License Application

Apply for or Renew Your DEA License

For assistance contact the DEA Registration Service Center at 800/882-9539, DEA Field Office Registration Program Specialist located in Detroit, or email DEA.Registration.Help@usdoj.gov; be sure to include your DEA number in your message.

Renewal Applications
New Applications
Submit Changes to Your Current License