Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine Clarifies VCPR Definitions

October 12, 2022 — 

The Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine (IBVM) worked with the IVMA and other industry partners to update Iowa's Rule related to veterinarian/client/patient relationships (VCPR) with ARC 6397C. The rule clarifies two previous rules:

• ARC 6212C (effective March 30, 2022) which requires a valid VCPR before a veterinarian may provide medical care or prescribe medications to a patient, and
• ARC 6171C (effective June 10, 2022) which requires a physical examination of the patient or visits to the premises within the past 12 months to establish a VCPR.
• ARC 6397C (effective on June 14, 2022) which clarifies definitions and addresses the responsibilities of veterinarians who provide services in an emergency setting.

To address public comments made in reference to these rules, the IBVM adopted ARC 6523C to clarify definitions and minor altercations including the removal of "premises" from previous definitions. Like 6397C, it clarifies and revises two of the criteria to allow a VCPR for groups of animals and allows a licensed veterinarian with a valid VCPR to designate another licensed veterinarian to consult or provide back-up care.

ARC 6523C was adopted by the IBVM and will become effective on October 26, 2022. Read ARC 6523C at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/aco/arc/6523C.pdf

[Source: IVMA 11 October 2022]