§ 6711. Requirements for a professional license as an veterinary technician. To qualify for licensure as an veterinary technician, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:

1. Application: file an application with the department;

2. Education: have successfully completed a four-year course of study in a secondary school approved by the board of regents or its equivalent;

3. Have completed a college-level course of study in, and hold a diploma from a school of veterinary science technology for the training of animal health technicians, giving a course of not less than eighteen months, registered by the department as maintaining at the time, a satisfactory standard, or has completed a college-level course of study determined by the department to be the equivalent thereof;

4. Any person who submits an application prior to January first, nineteen hundred eighty-three and who submits evidence of employment by a veterinarian or a veterinary facility prior to that date may be licensed on the basis of this experience if acceptable in the discretion of the board in accordance with the commissioner's regulations and upon the successful completion of the licensing examination required by this section;

5. Examination: pass an examination satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;

6. Citizenship or immigration status: be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; provided, however that the board of regents may grant a one-time three-year waiver for an animal health technician who otherwise meets the requirements of this article and provided further that the board of regents may grant an extension of such three-year waiver of not more than one year;

7. Character: be of good moral character as determined by the department; and

8. Fees: pay a fee to the department for admission to the examination and for initial licensure of eighty-five dollars, for each reexamination forty-five dollars, and a fee of eighty dollars for each triennial registration period.