SB 190 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT AUTHORIZING CERTAIN FOREIGN-EDUCATED VETERINARIANS TO PRACTICE UNDER A TEMPORARY PERMIT AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VETERINARIAN-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE USE OF TELEHEALTH FOR THE TREATMENT OF URGENT MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

SB 190 creates a temporary permit allowing veterinarians trained outside the U.S. or Canada to practice under supervision while working toward full certification. It specifically applies to those with a veterinary degree from an internationally recognized program, who have passed required exams and are pursuing credentialing through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or equivalent. The permit, valid for up to one year without renewal, requires direct supervision by a licensed veterinarian with at least four years of experience and expires if certification is not obtained. This policy aims to expand access to veterinary services by enabling qualified foreign-educated vets to contribute sooner while meeting state standards.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Mar 16, 2026
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What changed between versions

Raised Bill PH Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand its scope from solely authorizing foreign-educated veterinarians to also establish rules for telehealth treatment of urgent medical conditions. Eligibility for foreign-educated veterinarians was relaxed by removing the mandatory examination requirement and extending the temporary permit duration from one year to two years, with one renewal option. New provisions were added to allow veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship via telemedicine only for urgent cases requiring follow-up within fourteen days.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include regulations for veterinary telehealth services for urgent conditions, in addition to the original focus on foreign-educated veterinarians.
SCOPE

Added provisions allowing the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship through telehealth for urgent medical conditions requiring follow-up within 14 days.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the requirement for foreign-educated veterinarians to pass state examinations, accepting licenses from jurisdictions with commensurate standards instead.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the temporary permit validity period for foreign-educated veterinarians from one year to two years and added an option to renew once for an additional two years.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date for the new telehealth provisions to October 1, 2026.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Nick Gauthier
Nick Gauthier
DDemocratic
CT
38