ARTICLE 1. Administration [4800. - 4811.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 1.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4800. Section 4800.

(a) There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs a California Veterinary Medical Board in which the administration of this chapter is vested. The board shall consist of the following nine members: (1) Four licensed veterinarians, at least one of whom shall practice in equine or livestock care, or both. (2) Two registered veterinary technicians. (3) Three public members. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the repeal of this section renders the board subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. However, the review of the board shall be limited to those issues identified by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature and shall involve the preparation or submission of a sunset review document or evaluative questionnaire.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4800.1. Section 4800.1.

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the California Veterinary Medical Board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4801. Section 4801.

(a) Each veterinarian member of the board shall be a bona fide resident of this state for a period of at least five years immediately preceding his or her appointment and shall have been a licensed veterinarian under this chapter and actually engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine in this state during that period. (b) The registered veterinary technician member of the board shall be a bona fide resident of this state for a period of at least five years immediately preceding his or her appointment and shall have been registered under this chapter and actually engaged in the practice of a registered veterinary technician in this state during that period. (c) Each public member of the board shall be a bona fide resident of this state for a period of at least five years immediately preceding his or her appointment and shall not be a licensee or registrant of the board, any other board under this division, or any board referred to in Section 1000 or 3600. (d) No person shall serve as a member of the board for more than two consecutive terms.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4802. Section 4802.

The members of the board shall hold office for a term of four years. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor or until one year shall have elapsed since the expiration of the term for which he or she was appointed, whichever first occurs. A member may be reappointed subject to the limitation contained in Section 4801. Vacancies occurring shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term, within 90 days after they occur. The Governor shall appoint the four veterinarian members, the one registered veterinary technician member, and one public member, qualified as provided in Section 4801. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint a public member, qualified as provided in Section 4801.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4804. Section 4804.

The board shall elect a president, vice president, and any other officers of the board as shall be necessary, from its membership. The Attorney General shall act as counsel for the board and the members thereof in their official or individual capacity for any act done under the color of official right.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4804.5. Section 4804.5.

(a) The board may appoint a person exempt from civil service who shall be designated as an executive officer and who shall exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated by the board and vested in them by this chapter. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4805. Section 4805.

The executive officer of the board may administer oaths or affirmations upon matters pertaining to the business of the board. Any person willfully making any false oath or affirmation is guilty of perjury.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4808. Section 4808.

The board may in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, adopt, amend, or repeal rules and regulations that are reasonably necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter. The board may hold meetings that are necessary for the transaction of business. It shall issue all licenses to practice veterinary medicine and all registrations to practice as a veterinary technician in this state.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4809. Section 4809.

The board shall keep an official record of its meetings, and it shall also keep an official register of all applicants for licenses. The register shall be prima facie evidence of all matters contained therein.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4809.5. Section 4809.5.

The board may at any time inspect the premises in which veterinary medicine, veterinary dentistry, or veterinary surgery is being practiced. The board’s inspection authority does not extend to premises that are not registered with the board. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the board’s ability to investigate alleged unlicensed activity or to inspect a premises for which registration has lapsed or is delinquent.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4809.6. Section 4809.6.

The enforcement of Sections 4809.5 and 4854 of this chapter is a function exclusively reserved to the California Veterinary Medical Board and the state has preempted and occupied this field of enforcing the cleanliness and sanitary requirements of this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4809.7. Section 4809.7.

The board shall establish a regular inspection program that will provide for random announced or unannounced inspections of veterinary premises. The board shall make every reasonable effort to ensure veterinary premises are inspected in a timely manner.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4809.8. Section 4809.8.

(a) The board shall establish an advisory committee to assist, advise, and make recommendations for the implementation of rules and regulations necessary to ensure proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and to assist the board in its examination, licensure, and registration programs. The committee shall serve only in an advisory capacity to the board and the objectives, duties, and actions of the committee shall not be a substitute for or conflict with any of the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the board. The committee shall be known as the Veterinary Medicine Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee. The multidisciplinary committee shall consist of nine members. The following members of the multidisciplinary committee shall be appointed by the board from lists of nominees solicited by the board: four licensed veterinarians, two registered veterinary technicians, and one public member. The committee shall also include one veterinarian member of the board and one registered veterinary technician member of the board, both to be appointed by the board president. Members of the multidisciplinary committee shall represent a sufficient cross section of the interests in veterinary medicine in order to address the issues before it, as determined by the board, including veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, and members of the public. (b) Multidisciplinary committee members appointed by the board shall serve for a term of three years and appointments shall be staggered accordingly. A member may be reappointed, but no person shall serve as a member of the committee for more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies occurring shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term, within 90 days after they occur. Board members of the multidisciplinary committee shall serve concurrently with their terms of office on the board. (c) The multidisciplinary committee shall be subject to the requirements of Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (d) Multidisciplinary committee members shall receive a per diem as provided in Section 103 and shall be compensated for their actual travel expenses in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Human Resources. (e) The board may remove a member of the multidisciplinary committee appointed by the board for continued neglect of a duty required by this chapter, for incompetency, or for unprofessional conduct. (f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the multidisciplinary committee, in implementing this section, give appropriate consideration to issues pertaining to the practice of registered veterinarian technicians.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4810. Section 4810.

As used in this chapter: (a) “Board” means the California Veterinary Medical Board. (b) “Multidisciplinary committee” means the Veterinary Medicine Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee established pursuant to Section 4809.8. (c) “Regulations” means the rules and regulations set forth in Division 20 (commencing with Section 2000) of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

Starting a business in California? California LLC guide: costs and requirements