Veterinarians who set up care for an animal through electronic means (such as video visits) may now prescribe most drugs for up to 30 days at a time instead of 14, flea and tick drugs for up to 3 months at a time, and antimicrobial drugs for only one period of up to 14 days unless a veterinarian examines the animal in person.
Official title: veterinarian visits; electronic means; prescriptions
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforePrescriptions based only on an electronic exam could be issued for up to 14 days and renewed once for up to 14 days with another electronic exam.
NowFor drugs that are not antimicrobials and not flea and tick drugs, prescriptions based only on an electronic exam may be issued for up to 30 days and renewed once for up to 30 days with another electronic exam.
BeforeAntimicrobial drugs followed the same rule as other drugs: up to 14 days, renewable once for up to 14 days with another electronic exam.
NowAntimicrobial drugs (medicines that generally fight infections, such as antibiotics) prescribed based only on an electronic exam may be issued for only one period of up to 14 days. The veterinarian may not issue more antimicrobial prescriptions for the same animal for the same ongoing treatment of the same condition unless a veterinarian examines the animal in person.
BeforeFlea and tick drugs followed the same rule as other drugs: up to 14 days, renewable once for up to 14 days.
NowFlea and tick drugs prescribed based only on an electronic exam may be issued for up to 3 months and renewed once for up to 3 months.
Who it affects
- Animal owners who use veterinary visits through electronic means
- Veterinarians licensed or permitted in Arizona who provide care through electronic means
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether renewing a flea and tick prescription requires an additional electronic exam, as it does for other drugs
- Which specific drugs count as antimicrobial or as flea and tick drugs
- How the new limits apply to prescriptions already issued before the law takes effect
- How the limits will be enforced or what penalties apply for violations
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.