WAC 246-935-050:

246-935-040 << 246-935-050 >> 246-935-060

No individual, other than a licensed veterinary technician, may advertise or offer their services in a manner calculated to lead others to believe that they are a trained or licensed veterinary technician.

(1) Licensed veterinary technicians and unregistered assistants are prohibited from performing the following activities:

(a) Surgery except as outlined below;

(b) Diagnosis and prognosis;

(d) Initiation of treatment without prior instruction by a veterinarian except as outlined under emergency animal care.

(2) Tasks not specifically listed or otherwise restricted that are delegated by the veterinarian may be performed by a licensed veterinary technician or unregistered assistant under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian.

(3) A licensed veterinary technician may perform the following animal health care tasks under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian as indicated in the tables categorized in this subsection. An unregistered assistant may perform the following animal health care tasks under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician as indicated in the tables categorized in this subsection.

Table A: Anesthesia

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Induction of anesthesia		X					X
Maintenance of anesthesia		X		X (requires supervisor consultation)
Monitor sedated or anesthetized patient			X	X
Intubation		X					X

Table B: Bandaging

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Application of casts, splints, and slings		X					X
Closure, including suturing of prepared skin wound or gingival incision		X					X
Removal of sutures, drain tubes, and staples			X		X
Removal of exposed foreign bodies			X		X

Table C: Centesis Procedures

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Centesis of abdominal, thoracic, ocular, or cerebrospinal fluids except the urinary bladder	X						X
Cystocentesis			X				X
Fine needle aspirate of any other area			X	X

Table D: Dental Procedures

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Single root (except canine tooth) extractions not requiring sectioning of the tooth or sectioning of the bone or incision of gingiva	X						X
Dental prophy			X	X
Floating teeth		X					X

Table E: Procedures

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Blood pressure			X		X
Cytology analysis including urine sediment and basic hematology			X		X
Electrocardiogram measurement			X		X
Fecal analysis			X		X
Urine dipstick and specific gravity			X		X
Placement of a urinary catheter in unobstructed animal			X				X
Acquisition of diagnostic images			X		X
Placement of nasogastric and orogastric tubes			X				X
Use of nasogastric and orogastric tubes			X		X
Skin scraping			X		X
Euthanasia		X					X
Carbon dioxide and blood oxygen saturation			X		X

Table F: Injections

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections			X		X
Intraperitoneal injections		X					X
Intra-testicular block for local anesthesia			X	X
Peripheral nerve block and epidurals		X					X
Intravenous injection in uncatheterized vein			X	X
Microchip implantation			X		X
Vaccines (except rabies and those diseases described in subsection (8) of this section) with the veterinarian's verification signature on an appropriate certificate			X		X

Table G: Veterinary Biologics

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Veterinary biologics for rabies and those diseases listed in WAC 16-42-026(1)		X			X

Table H: Intravenous Devices

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Placement of arterial and central venous catheters		X					X
Place and secure an IV catheter			X		X
Blood and blood product administration		X					X

Table I: Lab Sample Collection and Test Preparation (not evaluation)

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Venipuncture			X		X

Table J: Ophthalmological Procedures

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Tear production testing			X		X
Topical anesthetic application			X		X
Fluorescein staining of cornea			X		X
Eye pressures/ tonometry			X		X

Table K: Other

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Enema			X		X
Ear flush			X		X
Massage (except where regulated)			X		X
Noninvasive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid procedures			X			X
Packaging, preparation, administration, or delivery of controlled substances, see also: WAC 246-935-420			X				X
Ear tipping (for the identification of sterilized cats)		X		X

(4) Emergency animal care: Under conditions of an emergency, a licensed veterinary technician and unregistered assistant may render certain life saving aid to an animal patient as indicated in the table in this subsection. Nothing in the table shall be construed to prohibit the provision of basic first aid to animals in the absence of a veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician.

Task	Licensed Veterinary Technician			Unregistered Assistant
Task	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Immediate	Direct	Indirect	Prohibited
Administer pharmacologic agents and parenteral fluids only after communication with a veterinarian			X			X
Utilize basic life support including noninvasive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid procedures			X			X
Provide other aid upon the order of a licensed veterinarian as outlined in this section			X			X

(5) Rabies vaccinations require an appropriate rabies certificate. The certificate is considered part of the medical record and must contain at least the following information:

(a) Owner's name, address, and telephone number;

(b) Species, age, breed, sex, size, name, and predominant colors/markings;

(d) Month, day, and year of next vaccination due date;

(e) Product name and identification of manufacturer;

(f) Effective date of vaccine, example: One year, three years;

(g) Vaccine serial or lot number; and

(h) Veterinarian's name, license number, address, and signature.

(6) To be authorized to dispense pharmaceuticals, an unregistered assistant must be registered as a veterinary medication clerk under chapter 246-937 WAC.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. WSR 26-07-008, s 246-935-050, filed 3/6/26, effective 4/6/26; WSR 16-03-086, § 246-935-050, filed 1/20/16, effective 2/20/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030, 18.92.125. WSR 09-15-120, § 246-935-050, filed 7/17/09, effective 8/17/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030 and 2007 c 235. WSR 08-11-099, § 246-935-050, filed 5/20/08, effective 6/20/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.030. WSR 07-17-169, § 246-935-050, filed 8/22/07, effective 9/22/07; WSR 02-02-046, § 246-935-050, filed 12/27/01, effective 1/27/02; WSR 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-935-050, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.92.015 and 18.92.030. WSR 83-19-055 (Order PL 445), § 308-156-050, filed 9/19/83.]

WAC 246-935-050

Animal Health Care Tasks.