Arizona Veterinary EPCS Requirements Guide

Status: ✅ CURRENTLY EXEMPT (Subject to Future Change)

Arizona's Veterinary EPCS Exemption (A.R.S. §36-2525(R)):

Veterinarians are NOT required to comply with electronic prescribing requirements until:

1. The Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board determines that electronic prescribing software is "widely available" for veterinarians

2. The Board notifies the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy of that determination

Current Status:

• Exemption Status: Active and indefinite

• Paper Prescriptions: Fully acceptable for all medications including Schedule II opioids

• Board Determination: Not yet made

• Timeline: No date established for exemption to end

Important Context:

• This exemption was secured in 2019 when Governor Ducey signed HB 2075

• While human healthcare providers must e-prescribe Schedule II opioids (as of January 1, 2020), veterinarians remain exempt

• The Veterinary Board has not indicated when they might make a "wide availability" determination

Continuing Education Requirement: While exempt from e-prescribing, veterinarians with DEA registrations must complete 3 hours of opioid/substance use disorder continuing education per renewal cycle (per SB 1001).

Preparing for the Future: Smart practices are preparing now by:

• Evaluating available e-prescribing platforms

• Understanding the benefits beyond compliance

• Training staff gradually

• Building efficient workflows

Arizona Resources:

• Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board

• Arizona Veterinary Medical Association (AzVMA)

• Arizona State Board of Pharmacy

Arizona Veterinary EPCS Status Guide PDF