When implementing an AI scribe into your veterinary practice, there are a lot of factors to consider (we made a whole guide on it for this reason). One important element is how to get your clients on board with a digital scribe recording their appointments. The key to this? It’s their awareness and consent. 

In this piece, we’ll cover why consent is so important when using an AI scribe and what your legal obligations are regarding recording consent at both a federal and state level within the United States.

Please note that this is for informational purposes only and not legal advice, we always recommend speaking with a lawyer to ensure you're following state and local laws.

Why consent is important when working with an AI scribe

If you decide to use a tool that can record your clients’ conversations, your transparency and clarity can make all the difference in ensuring your clients’ comfort while harnessing the time- and cost-saving advantages of the scribe. That’s why, even if most states didn’t already require consent in some form by law, we still recommend getting consent to record as a best practice to protect your business, build trust with your clients, and ensure a smooth transition to regular scribing. 

Getting consent can be accomplished with a simple conversation or update to your patient forms:

• Verbal consent: Let your client know that you plan to record and ask for their permission at the beginning of the appointment. For example, you could say: “I use a scribe tool that helps with my medical records. Do you mind if I record our conversation?”
• Written consent: Incorporate client consent into your intake paperwork and call it out for clients if it will be their first time in a recorded appointment.

We also recommend hanging a poster to let clients know that recording might happen during appointments in the waiting area or exam rooms, or both. ScribbleVet makes this easy with a consent poster generator you can use in the app.

‍Pro tip: ScribbleVet recently added a Direct Dialer feature, which allows you to make phone calls directly within the app. Both sides of the conversation are automatically recorded, and the other party is notified they are being recorded when the call connects. It is a good practice to notify clients about the call recording at the beginning of the call and when the phone is passed between speakers.

Federal recording consent law

There are multiple federal statutes that address recording consent in an effort to regulate eavesdropping and wiretapping. Although there is quite a bit of complexity, a good rule of thumb can be to comply with the guidelines set forth in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 USC § 2511(2)(d)), which states:

“It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a person acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication, where such person is a party to the communication or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception.”

Put simply, this federal law requires at a minimum the consent of one party in a conversation, whether it is conducted in person, over the phone, or by other means of electronic communication (email, text, etc.) — so long as the recording is not intended for criminal purposes. Many states have their own rules, but in the event that there is no state law — like in Vermont — federal law applies.

State-by-state recording consent laws (as of April 2025)

Alabama: One-Party Consent

Alabama statute requires “the consent of at least one of the persons engaged in the communication.”
Learn more: Alabama Resources

Alaska: One-Party Consent

Alaska’s eavesdropping statute requires the consent of at least one party when using an electronic device to hear or record a private conversation.
Learn more: Alaska Resources

Arizona: One-Party Consent

If an individual is not present during a communication, they must have the consent of at least one party to record. Arizona also permits the subscriber/payer of a phone service to record calls without being part of the conversation.
Learn more: Arizona Resources

Arkansas: One-Party Consent

Recording in-person or electronic conversations requires consent from at least one participant.
Learn more: Arkansas Resources

California: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent to recording oral or electronic communications. This applies even if a caller in a one-party state records a conversation with someone in California. Exceptions include audible beep notifications or no expectation of privacy (e.g., public settings). Note that California also has a wiretapping law that prohibits making a recording without authorization.
Learn more: California Resources

Colorado: Mixed

Non-participants in electronic or oral communication must obtain consent from at least one party to record.
Learn more: Colorado Resources

Connecticut: Mixed

In Connecticut, there are different rules for civil and criminal cases.

• In-Person: One-party consent for civil cases.
• Telephone: Requires all-party consent, written consent, verbal notice, or an automatic tone warning.‍

‍Learn more: Connecticut Resources

Delaware: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent to recording oral or electronic conversations.
Learn more: Delaware Resources

District of Columbia: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a party to the conversation or have a participant’s consent.
Learn more: DC Resources

Florida: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent to recording, except in cases with no expectation of privacy or child safety concerns.
Learn more: Florida Resources

Georgia: One-Party Consent

An individual can lawfully record or disclose the content of an oral, wire, or electronic communication, so long as they are party to the conversation or they have prior consent of a participant.
Learn more: Georgia Resources

Hawaii: One-Party Consent

Recording is allowed if you’re part of the conversation or have consent from one participant.
Learn more: Hawaii Resources

Idaho: One-Party Consent

Recording is allowed if you’re a party to the conversation or have a participant’s consent.
Learn more: Idaho Resources

Illinois: Mixed

• Private electronic communications (e.g., phone calls): One-party consent.
• In-person conversations: All-party consent.‍

‍Learn more: Illinois Resources

Indiana: One-Party Consent

Legal to record electronic or telephonic communications if you’re a participant or have consent from one party.
Learn more: Indiana Resources

Iowa: One-Party Consent

Oral, telephonic, or electronic communications can be recorded with consent from one participant.
Learn more: Iowa Resources

Kansas: One-Party Consent

Illegal to record without being a participant or obtaining consent from one party.
Learn more: Kansas Resources

Kentucky: One-Party Consent

Electronic recording requires being a participant or having consent from one party.
Learn more: Kentucky Resources

Louisiana: One-Party Consent

Oral or telephonic communications can be recorded if you’re part of the conversation or have consent.
Learn more: Louisiana Resources

Maine: One-Party Consent

Electronic recording requires consent from at least one participant.
Learn more: Maine Resources

Maryland: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communications.
Learn more: Maryland Resources

Massachusetts: All-Party Consent

Recording in-person, wire, or phone conversations requires consent from all parties. Exceptions apply to certain business systems.
Learn more: Massachusetts Resources

Michigan: One-Party Consent*

A court ruling allows participants to record private conversations (effectively one-party consent), though legal disputes remain.

*Since there is some dispute here, getting the consent of all parties can cover your bases.
Learn more: Michigan Resources

Minnesota: One-Party Consent

Oral, telephonic, or electronic communications can be recorded with consent from one participant.
Learn more: Minnesota Resources

Mississippi: One-Party Consent

Legal to record communications if you’re a participant or have consent from one party.
Learn more: Mississippi Resources

Missouri: One-Party Consent

Oral or electronic communications can be recorded with consent from one participant.
Learn more: Missouri Resources

Montana: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent to recordings, except in cases involving public officials or proceedings.
Learn more: Montana Resources

Nebraska: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, provided there’s no criminal intent. Publicly accessible communications are exempt.
Learn more: Nebraska Resources

Nevada: Mixed

• In-Person: One-party consent.
• Telephone: All-party consent (except emergencies).‍

Learn more: Nevada Resources

New Hampshire: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent, but consent can be implied if participants are demonstrably aware of recording.
Learn more: New Hampshire Resources

New Jersey: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, with no criminal intent. Publicly accessible communications are exempt.
Learn more: New Jersey Resources

New Mexico: One-Party Consent

Requires consent from at least one party to intercept or copy communications.
Learn more: New Mexico Resources

New York: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re part of the conversation or have consent from a participant.
Learn more: New York Resources

North Carolina: One-Party Consent

Oral or electronic communications can be recorded with consent from one participant.
Learn more: North Carolina Resources

North Dakota: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, with no criminal intent.
Learn more: North Dakota Resources

Ohio: One-Party Consent

Recordings are allowed if you’re part of the conversation or have consent, provided there’s no criminal intent.
Learn more: Ohio Resources

Oklahoma: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, with no criminal intent.
Learn more: Oklahoma Resources

Oregon: Mixed

• Electronic: One-party consent.
• In-Person: All-party consent.‍

‍Learn more: Oregon Resources

Pennsylvania: All-Party Consent

Recording an electronic or in-person communication requires the consent of all parties. However, listening in to a call using a telephone is not prohibited.

Learn more: Pennsylvania Resources

Rhode Island: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, with no criminal intent. Publicly accessible communications are exempt.
Learn more: Rhode Island Resources

South Carolina: One-Party Consent

Oral or electronic communications can be recorded with consent from one participant.
Learn more: South Carolina Resources

South Dakota: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re part of the conversation or have consent from a participant.
Learn more: South Dakota Resources

Tennessee: One-Party Consent

Recordings require consent from one participant and no criminal intent. Publicly accessible communications are exempt.
Learn more: Tennessee Resources

Texas: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, with no criminal intent. Public communications are exempt.
Learn more: Texas Resources

Utah: One-Party Consent

Recordings require consent from one participant and no criminal intent. Public communications are exempt.
Learn more: Utah Resources

Vermont: One-Party Consent (via Federal Law)

No explicit state law; federal one-party consent applies.
Learn more: Vermont Resources

Virginia: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re part of the conversation or have consent from a participant.
Learn more: Virginia Resources

Washington: All-Party Consent

All parties must consent, except in public safety or emergency situations.
Learn more: Washington Resources

West Virginia: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re a participant or have consent, with no criminal intent.
Learn more: West Virginia Resources

Wisconsin: One-Party Consent*

Recordings are allowed with consent from one party, but may be inadmissible in civil cases without prior disclosure.
Learn more: Wisconsin Resources

Wyoming: One-Party Consent

Legal to record if you’re part of the conversation or have consent, with no criminal intent.
Learn more: Wyoming Resources

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We hope this guide serves as a useful resource as you set up your practice for success with an AI scribe. Want a sample written consent form? Or have questions? Reach out to us if you need support as you get started.

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_{The information included here is for general education and should not be considered legal advice. Our aim is to give you a head start in understanding what your legal obligations are when it comes to recording consent, but we always recommend consulting a legal advisor to thoroughly cover your bases. We highly encourage you to get familiar with your local consent laws to ensure you are complying with all requirements that apply to your practice.}