Tex. Occupations Code § 801.002

In this chapter:

(1) "Board" means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

(1-a) "Certified veterinary assistant" means a person who has been certified as a certified veterinary assistant by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and is employed by a licensed veterinarian.

(2) "Compensation" includes a fee, monetary reward, discount, or emolument, whether received directly or indirectly.

(3) "Direct supervision" means supervision of a person by a responsible veterinarian who is physically present on the premises.

(3-a) "Equine dentistry" means any diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedure performed on the head or oral cavity of an equine animal. The term includes:

(A) any procedure that invades the tissues of the oral cavity, including a procedure to:

(i) remove sharp enamel projections;

(ii) treat malocclusions of the teeth;

(iii) reshape teeth; and

(iv) extract one or more teeth;

(B) the treatment or extraction of damaged or diseased teeth;

(C) the treatment of diseased teeth through restoration and endodontic procedures;

(D) periodontal treatments, including:

(i) the removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, and stains above the gum line; and

(ii) the smoothing, filing, and polishing of tooth surfaces; and

(E) dental radiography.

(4) "General supervision" means supervision of a person by a responsible veterinarian who is readily available to communicate with the person.

(4-a) "Immediate supervision" means supervision by a person who is within audible and visual range of both the animal patient and the person under supervision.

(4-b) "Licensed equine dental provider" means a person who holds a license to practice equine dentistry issued under this chapter.

(4-c) "Licensed veterinary technician" means a person licensed as a veterinary technician by the board.

(5) "Practice of veterinary medicine" means:

(A) the diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, manipulation, relief, or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical condition, including the prescription or administration of a drug, biologic, anesthetic, apparatus, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique;

(B) the representation of an ability and willingness to perform an act listed in Paragraph (A);

(C) the use of a title, a word, or letters to induce the belief that a person is legally authorized and qualified to perform an act listed in Paragraph (A); or

(D) the receipt of compensation for performing an act listed in Paragraph (A).

(6) "Veterinarian" means a person licensed by the board under this chapter to practice veterinary medicine.

(6-a) "Veterinary assistant" means a person who:

(A) is employed by a licensed veterinarian;

(B) performs tasks related to animal care; and

(C) is not a certified veterinary assistant or a licensed veterinary technician.

(6-b) "Veterinary medical facility" means a location, including a building, portion of a building, or vehicle, in which the practice of veterinary medicine normally takes place or is provided.

(6-c) "Management services organization" means a business entity that provides management services to a veterinary medical facility, as defined by board rule.

(7) "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, reproduction and obstetrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and any other discipline or specialty of veterinary medicine.