Minimum standards of practice.

87-05-02-02. Minimum standards of practice. Minimum standards of practice include: 1. The delivery of veterinary care must be provided in a competent and humane manner consistent with prevailing standards of practice for the species of animal and the professed area of expertise of the veterinarian or veterinary technician. 2. Medical records and radiographs are the physical property of the practice or the proprietor of the practice that prepared them. Records must be maintained for a minimum of three years after the last visit. Radiographs must be maintained for a minimum of three years. 3. Medical records, or an accurate summary of them, must be released to the client or the board in the case of a board investigation within a reasonable time of a request. A reasonable charge for copying or preparation of a summary may be made, except in the case of a board investigation, in which case no charges are authorized. 4. Contents of medical records must be kept private and not be released to third parties unless authorized by the client or required by law. Medical records may be released without consent of the client under the following circumstances: a. For statistical and scientific research, if the information is abstracted in a way as to protect the identity of the patient and client; b. To verify a rabies vaccination of an animal; c. To investigate a threat to human or animal health; d. For the protection of individual animal, human, or public health or welfare; or e. If requested by another veterinarian for the purpose of continuity of care. History: Effective August 1, 2004; amended effective April 1, 2022; April 1, 2026. General Authority: NDCC 43-29-03 Law Implemented: NDCC 43-29-14