(a) Whenever the practice of veterinary medicine is carried on by a partnership, all partners shall be either licensed or holders of temporary licenses to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Alabama.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed veterinarian to practice veterinary medicine as an employee of any person or other entity not engaged primarily in the practice of veterinary medicine or for any person that is the owner or owners of an active veterinary practice to be other than a veterinarian or veterinarians duly licensed in the State of Alabama.
(c) The following shall be exempt from this section:
(1) A veterinarian employed by a person treating his or her employer's animals.
(2) A veterinarian employed by an official agency of the federal or state government or any subdivision thereof.
(3) A veterinarian employed by any licensed research facility.
(4) An heir or heirs inheriting under the terms of a will or by intestate succession for a period of two years following the death of the licensee.