VCPR by State
This quick-reference guide lists each state’s VCPR (veterinarian client-patient relationship) regulations, and provides guidance to veterinarians how they can utilize Otto for conducting virtual visits.
In most cases, veterinarians can offer general advice (e.g., nutrition or training recommendations), first aid advice, triage patients, and assist in medical emergencies without VCPR. However, to diagnose a patient or to prescribe drugs, VCPR is required.
Alabama Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Where the client/animal is
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person. Telemedicine is defined by where the owner/animal is, regardless of where the veterinarian is (i.e. a vet must be licensed in AL and have VCPR to treat an animal in AL).
Alaska Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: Not defined
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Alaska does not define VCPR in its Practice Act. However, to be conservative, utilize the general guideline of establishing VCPR with in-person visits at least annually.
Arizona Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person but VCPR can apply to any vet working at the same practice.
Arkansas Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
California Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
California has one of the strictest regulations for telemedicine. VCPR must be established in-person and is only applicable to one veterinarian. Additionally, telemedicine can only be used for specific medical conditions for which the animal has already been diagnosed by the veterinarian during an in-person exam.
Colorado Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Where the client/animal is
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established by an in-person examination and only applies to one veterinarian. Colorado defines telemedicine as taking place where the animal is (i.e., a vet must be licensed in CO and have VCPR to treat an animal in CO).
Connecticut Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: Not defined
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Connecticut does not define VCPR in its Practice Act. However, to be conservative, utilize the general guideline of establishing VCPR with in-person visits at least annually.
Delaware Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: Not defined
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Delaware does not define VCPR in its Practice Act. However, to be conservative, utilize the general guideline of establishing VCPR with in-person visits at least annually.
District of Columbia Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: Not defined
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
D.C. does not define VCPR in its Practice Act. However, to be conservative, utilize the general guideline of establishing VCPR with in-person visits at least annually.
Florida Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Georgia Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Hawaii Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Hawaii has guidelines regarding establishing VCPR but these are not legally binding, although it is recommended to follow the guidelines. VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one vet.
Idaho Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Where the client/animal is
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established by an in-person examination at least annually and only applies to one vet. Telemedicine is defined by where the owner/animal is, regardless of where the veterinarian is (i.e., a vet must be licensed in ID and have VCPR to treat an animal in ID).
Illinois Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Where the client/animal is
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established by an in-person examination but aplies to any veterinarian at the same practice. Telemedicine is defined by where the owner/animal is, regardless of where the veterinarian is (i.e., a vet must be licensed in IL and have VCPR to treat an animal in IL) unless there is an existing VCPR.
Indiana Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person but VCPR can apply to any vet working at the same practice.
Iowa Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Kansas Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Kentucky Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Louisiana Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Maine Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Maryland Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Massachusetts Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person but VCPR can apply to any vet working at the same practice.
Michigan Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: Not defined
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Michigan rescinded the definition of VCPR in its Practice Act in 2019. However, to be conservative, utilize the general guideline of establishing VCPR with in-person visits at least annually.
Minnesota Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Any DVM within 18 months.
Mississippi Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Missouri Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Montana Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Nebraska Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Nevada Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
New Hampshire Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
New Jersey Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Where the vet is
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
New Jersey has legislature for telemedicine that has been approved but not yet adopted (as of June 2020). Currently, VCPR must be established in-person, but the new guidelines may allow for VCPR to be established remotely as long as there is not a Schedule II drug being prescribed. The new legislature defines telemedicine as taking place where the veterinarian physically is (e.g., a vet licensed in NJ can have a telemedicine consult with a client in another state without being licensed in that state).
New Mexico Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
New York Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
New York has guidelines regarding establishing VCPR/telemedicine but clearly states that these are not legally binding, although it is recommended to follow the guidelines. VCPR must be established in-person but can apply to any veterinarian at the same practice.
North Carolina Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
North Dakota Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Ohio Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Oklahoma Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Where the client/animal is
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
Oklahoma has more guidelines than most states regarding telemedicine. Although ideally VCPR is established in-person, it can be established remotely in some situations (vets should use professional judgment to determine if it is appropriate or not to establish VCPR via telemedicine). Vets cannot prescribe drugs unless the VCPR is established in-person.
Oregon Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Pennsylvania Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person but VCPR can apply to any vet working at the same practice.
Puerto Rico Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Rhode Island Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
South Carolina Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
South Dakota Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Tennessee Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Texas Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Utah Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Vermont Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Virginia Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: No
Scope of VCPR: Any vet at same practice
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR may be established via telemedicine as long as there is a real-time, face-to-face interaction. VCPR can apply to any vet working at the same practice.
Washington Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
West Virginia Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Wisconsin Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
Wyoming Practice Act
VCPR must be established in-person: Yes
Scope of VCPR: One vet
Where telemedicine occurs: Not defined
Brief summary of guidelines/restrictions:
VCPR must be established in-person and only applies to one veterinarian.
