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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
12/10/2024

Part II. Licensure for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians

18VAC150-20-110. Requirements for licensure by examination as a veterinarian.

A. The applicant, in order to be licensed by the board to practice veterinary medicine, shall:

1. Have received a degree in veterinary medicine from a college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA, as verified by an official transcript from the applicant's college or school, indicating completion of the veterinary degree. In lieu of a degree from an accredited college or school, an applicant may submit verification that he has fulfilled the requirements of the Educational Commission of Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the AVMA or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence of the AAVSB or any other substantially equivalent credentialing body as determined by the board; and

2. Have passed the North American Veterinary License Examination (since the fall of 2000) or the National Board Examination and the Clinical Competency Test (prior to the fall of 2000) of the ICVA or any other substantially equivalent national examination as approved by the board with a score acceptable to the board.

B. All applicants shall also:

1. Submit the application fee specified in 18VAC150-20-100 and a complete application on a form obtained from the board;

2. Provide verification that any license to practice veterinary medicine issued by a board of veterinary medicine in another state or United States jurisdiction is in good standing;

3. Sign a statement attesting that the applicant has read, understands, and will abide by the statutes and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Virginia; and

4. Have committed no acts that would constitute a violation of § 54.1-3807 of the Code of Virginia.

C. If the application for licensure has not been successfully completed within one year from the date of initial submission, a new application and fee shall be required.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 and Chapter 38 (§ 54.1-3800 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR645-01-1 § 2.1, eff. June 10, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 26, eff. October 31, 1990; Volume 12, Issue 9, eff. February 21, 1996; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. December 23, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 25, 2017.

18VAC150-20-115. Requirements for licensure by examination as a veterinary technician.

A. The applicant, in order to be licensed by the board as a veterinary technician, shall:

1. Have received a degree in veterinary technology or veterinary nursing from a college or school accredited by the AVMA or the CVMA or obtained a PAVE certificate.

2. Have filed with the board the following documents:

a. A complete application on a form obtained from the board;

b. An official copy, indicating a veterinary technology or veterinary nursing degree, of the applicant's college or school transcript or documentation of a PAVE certificate; and

c. Verification that the applicant is in good standing by each board in another state or United States jurisdiction from which the applicant holds a license, certification, or registration to practice veterinary technology or veterinary nursing.

3. Have passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination approved by the AAVSB or any other board-approved, national board examination for veterinary technology with a score acceptable to the board.

4. Sign a statement attesting that the applicant has read, understands, and will abide by the statutes and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Virginia.

5. Have submitted the application fee specified in 18VAC150-20-100.

6. Have committed no acts that would constitute a violation of § 54.1-3807 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The application for licensure shall be valid for a period of one year after the date of initial submission, after which time a new application and fee shall be required.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. December 23, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. November 25, 2009; Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 25, 2017; Volume 37, Issue 26, eff. October 1, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. April 1, 2022.

18VAC150-20-120. Requirements for licensure by endorsement as a veterinarian.

The board may, in its discretion, grant a license by endorsement to an applicant who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in another jurisdiction of the United States, provided that the applicant:

1. Holds at least one current, unrestricted license in another jurisdiction of the United States and is not a respondent in any pending or unresolved board action in any jurisdiction;

2. Provides documentation of having been regularly engaged in clinical practice for at least two of the past four years immediately preceding application;

3. Provides documentation of completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education requirements during the preceding four years;

4. Submits the application fee specified in 18VAC150-20-100 and a complete application on a form obtained from the board;

5. Signs a statement attesting that the applicant has read, understands, and will abide by the statutes and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Virginia; and

6. Has committed no acts that would constitute a violation of § 54.1-3807 of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR645-01-1 § 2.2, eff. June 10, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 26, eff. October 31, 1990; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. December 23, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. November 25, 2009; Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 25, 2017.

18VAC150-20-121. Requirements for licensure by endorsement for veterinary technicians.

In its discretion, the board may grant a license by endorsement to an applicant who is licensed, certified, or registered to practice as a veterinary technician or a veterinary nurse in another jurisdiction of the United States, provided that the applicant:

1. Holds at least one current and unrestricted license, certification, or registration issued by the regulatory entity in another jurisdiction of the United States and that he is not a respondent in any pending or unresolved board action in any jurisdiction;

2. Provides documentation of having been regularly engaged in clinical practice as a licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician or veterinary nurse for at least two of the past four years immediately preceding application;

3. Has received a degree in veterinary technology or veterinary nursing from a college or school accredited by the AVMA or the CVMA or has passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination approved by the AAVSB or any other board-approved national board examination for veterinary technology with a score acceptable to the board;

4. Provides documentation of completion of at least 16 hours of continuing education requirements during the preceding four years;

5. Submits the application fee specified in 18VAC150-20-100 and a complete application on a form obtained from the board;

6. Signs a statement attesting that the applicant has read, understands, and will abide by the statutes and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Virginia; and

7. Has committed no acts that would constitute a violation of § 54.1-3807 of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. November 25, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 25, 2017; Volume 37, Issue 26, eff. October 1, 2021.

18VAC150-20-122. Requirements for faculty licensure.

A. Upon payment of the fee prescribed in 18VAC150-20-100 and provided that no grounds exist to deny licensure pursuant to § 54.1-3807 of the Code of Virginia, the board may grant a faculty license to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine as part of a veterinary medical education program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education to an applicant who:

1. Is qualified for full licensure pursuant to 18VAC150-20-110 or 18VAC150-20-120;

2. Is a graduate of an accredited veterinary program and has an unrestricted current license or if lapsed, is eligible for reinstatement in another United States jurisdiction; or

3. Is a graduate of a veterinary program and has advanced training recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties or a specialty training program acceptable to the veterinary medical education program in which he serves on the faculty.

B. The dean of a veterinary medical education program shall provide verification that the applicant is being or has been hired by the program and shall include an assessment of the applicant's clinical competency and clinical experience that qualifies the applicant for a faculty license.

C. The holder of a faculty license shall be entitled to perform all functions that a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine would be entitled to perform as part of his faculty duties, including patient care functions associated with teaching, research, and the delivery of patient care that takes place only within a veterinary establishment or diagnostic and clinical services operated by or affiliated with the veterinary program. A faculty license shall not authorize the holder to practice veterinary medicine in nonaffiliated veterinary establishments or in private practice settings.

D. A faculty license shall expire on December 31 of the second year after its issuance and may be renewed annually without a requirement for continuing education, as specified in 18VAC150-20-70, as long as the accredited program certifies to the licensee's continued employment. When such a license holder ceases serving on the faculty, the license shall be null and void upon termination of employment. The dean of the veterinary medical education program shall notify the board within 30 days of such termination of employment.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 18, eff. May 30, 2018.

18VAC150-20-123. Requirements for an intern/resident license.

A. Upon payment of the fee prescribed in 18VAC150-20-100 and provided that no grounds exist to deny licensure pursuant to § 54.1-3807 of the Code of Virginia, the board may issue a temporary license to practice veterinary medicine to an intern or resident. Upon recommendation of the dean or director of graduate education of the veterinary medical education program, such a license may be issued to an applicant who is a graduate of an AVMA-accredited program or who meets requirements of the Educational Commission of Foreign Veterinary Graduates or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, as verified by the veterinary medical education program. The application shall include the beginning and ending dates of the internship or residency.

B. The intern or resident shall be supervised by a fully licensed veterinarian or a veterinarian who holds a faculty license issued by the board. The intern or resident shall only practice within a veterinary establishment or diagnostic and clinical services operated by or affiliated with the veterinary program. A temporary license shall not authorize the holder to practice veterinary medicine in nonaffiliated veterinary establishments or in private practice settings.

C. An intern or resident license shall expire on August 1 of the second year after its issuance and may be renewed upon recommendation by the dean or director of graduate education of the veterinary medical education program.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 18, eff. May 30l, 2018.

18VAC150-20-130. Requirements for practical training in a preceptorship or externship.

A. The practical training and employment of qualified students of veterinary medicine or veterinary technology shall be governed and controlled as follows:

1. A veterinary student who is enrolled and in good standing in a veterinary college or school accredited or approved by the AVMA may be engaged in a preceptorship or externship. A veterinary preceptee or extern may perform duties that constitute the practice of veterinary medicine for which he has received adequate instruction by the college or school and only under the on-premises supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

2. A veterinary technician student who is enrolled and in good standing in a veterinary technology program accredited or approved by the AVMA may be engaged in a preceptorship or externship. A veterinary technician preceptee or extern may perform duties that constitute the practice of veterinary technology for which he has received adequate instruction by the program and only under the on-premises supervision of a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician.

B. Whenever a veterinary preceptee or extern is performing surgery on a patient, either assisted or unassisted, the supervising veterinarian shall be in the operatory during the procedure. Prior to allowing a preceptee or extern in veterinary medicine to perform surgery on a patient unassisted by a licensed veterinarian, a licensed veterinarian shall receive written informed consent from the owner.

C. When there is a veterinary preceptee or extern practicing in the establishment, the supervising veterinarian shall disclose such practice to owners. The disclosure shall be by signage clearly visible to the public or by inclusion on an informed consent form.

D. A veterinarian or veterinary technician who supervises a preceptee or extern remains responsible for the care and treatment of the patient.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR645-01-1 § 2.3, eff. June 10, 1987; amended, Virginia Register Volume 6, Issue 26, eff. October 31, 1990; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. December 23, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 9, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. November 25, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. September 26, 2013; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 27, 2016; Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 25, 2017.

18VAC150-20-135. Voluntary practice by out-of-state practitioners.

Any veterinarian who seeks registration to practice on a voluntary basis under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people shall:

1. File a complete application for registration on a form provided by the board at least five business days prior to engaging in such practice. An incomplete application will not be considered;

2. Provide a complete record of professional licensure in each state in which he has held a license and a copy of every current license;

3. Provide the name of the nonprofit organization, the dates and location of the voluntary provision of services;

4. Pay a registration fee of $10; and

5. Provide a statement from a representative of the nonprofit organization attesting to its compliance with provisions of subdivision 4 of § 54.1-3801 of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 22, eff. August 13, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 21, eff. July 23, 2008; Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 25, 2017.

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