Each state has a veterinary practice act, which is a legal interpretation of what constitutes veterinary practice in that state on all species. For example, chiropractic or acupuncture might be considered veterinarian-only skills in some states, while in other states they can be performed by a skilled lay person under a licensed veterinarian’s direction.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has begun the complex process of revising the organization’s model veterinary practice act (MVPA), a document that serves as a resource tool for states that are rewriting or revising practice acts. Wording in the MVPA could affect future revisions of state veterinary practice acts