On October 12, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1999, which updates California’s Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. The law modifies the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), expands licensing pathways for shelter work, and places limits on the types of surgeries animal owners can perform.
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Effective January 1, 2027, AB 1999 transitions California from a condition-specific to a patient-specific VCPR model. This allows veterinarians to establish a VCPR through various methods: an in-person examination, synchronous audio-video communication, or timely premises visits. The law requires veterinarians to create a treatment plan for each condition treated and to communicate any changes to the client promptly.
The bill also eliminates the previous time limits on prescriptions linked to the VCPR, instituting a one-year expiration following an in-person examination or a six-month expiration after a telemedicine consultation. Should a VCPR expire, a veterinarian must re-establish it before prescribing treatment.
A provision allows continuity of care if a colleague covers for the original veterinarian, provided they are familiar with the patient and are located where the records are kept. Veterinarians may authorize refills in specific situations and complete documentation of such actions.
To support veterinary services at animal shelters, AB 1999 introduces a new shelter veterinarian license, permitting those with valid veterinary licenses from other jurisdictions to work in California animal shelters under certain conditions. It grants retired veterinarians a new status that allows them to volunteer at shelters while maintaining exemptions from renewal requirements.
Furthermore, the law tightens regulations around the owner exemption, explicitly excluding surgical or dental procedures on companion animals. It also clarifies telemedicine regulations, stating that only California-licensed veterinarians may offer telemedicine services, while allowing registered veterinary technicians to provide emergency aid under licensed veterinarians' direction.
AB 1999 is aimed at addressing the veterinary care shortage in the state and streamlining regulatory processes. The bill received unanimous support in both legislative chambers, having been co-sponsored by the California Veterinary Medical Board and various animal welfare organizations.