58-28-502. Unprofessional conduct.
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Effective 5/6/2026
58-28-502. Unprofessional conduct.
(1)"Unprofessional conduct" includes, in addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-501 :
(a)applying unsanitary methods or procedures in the treatment of any animal, contrary to rules adopted by the board and approved by the division;
(b)procuring any fee or recompense on the assurance that a manifestly incurable diseased condition of the body of an animal can be permanently cured;
(c)selling any biologics containing living or dead organisms or products or such organisms, except in a manner which will prevent indiscriminate use of such biologics;
(d)swearing falsely in any testimony or affidavit, relating to, or in the course of, the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, or dentistry;
(e)willful failure to report any dangerous, infectious, or contagious disease, as required by law;
(f)willful failure to report the results of any medical tests, as required by law, or rule adopted pursuant to law;
(g)violating Chapter 37, Controlled Substances, or Title 76, Chapter 18, Part 2, Offenses Concerning Controlled Substances;
(h)delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel:
(i)a task that violates the standards of the profession or Subsection
(2); or
(ii)the administration of anesthesia or sedation if the delegating veterinarian is not providing direct supervision of the administration; and
(i)making any unsubstantiated claim of superiority in training or skill as a veterinarian in the performance of professional services.
(a)"Unprofessional conduct" does not include the following:
(i)delegating to a veterinary technologist, while under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian, patient care and treatment that requires a technical understanding of veterinary medicine if written or oral instructions are provided to the technologist by the veterinarian;
(ii)delegating to a state certified veterinary technician or a veterinary technician, while under the direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian, patient care and treatment that requires a technical understanding of veterinary medicine if the veterinarian provides written or oral instructions to the state certified veterinary technician;
(iii)delegating to a veterinary assistant, under the immediate supervision of a licensed veterinarian, tasks that are consistent with the standards and ethics of the profession;
(iv)delegating to an individual described in Subsection 58-28-307 (16), under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, the administration of a sedative drug for teeth floating; or
(v)discussing the effects of the following on an animal with the owner of an animal:
(A)a cannabinoid or industrial hemp product, as those terms are defined in Section 4-41-102 ; or
(B)THC or medical cannabis, as those terms are defined in Section 26B-4-201 .
(b)The delegation of tasks permitted under Subsections (2)(a)(i) through
(iv)does not include:
(i)diagnosing;
(ii)prognosing;
(iii)surgery; or
(iv)prescribing drugs, medicines, or appliances.
(3)Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a veterinarian is not prohibited from engaging in a discussion described in Subsection (2)(a)(v) .
Amended by Chapter 362 , 2026 General Session