A. It shall be unlawful to practice veterinary medicine in this state without a license or certificate issued by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

B. Requirements for licensure or certification shall be set by the Board and may be changed as the education and training for the practice of veterinary medicine changes. Prior to issuance of a license or certificate to practice veterinary medicine in this state, the applicant shall have been found by the Board to be of good moral character and the Board shall consider but not be limited to the following evidence of suitability to practice:

1. a.Graduation from an approved school of veterinary medicine whose requirements at the time of graduation are acceptable to the Board.

b.Graduates of schools of veterinary medicine located outside the United States and Canada shall be held to the same standards for evidence of suitability to practice as are graduates of schools of veterinary medicine located within the United States in that applicants shall conform in all respects to the requirements set forth in this section. Where necessary, further examination shall be administered by the Board or its designee to determine competency to practice. In addition, applicants shall demonstrate a command of the English language satisfactory to the Board. Documents and material submitted in support of application for licensure or certification, if in a foreign language, shall be translated and certified as accurate by an organization acceptable to the Board;

2. Satisfactory completion of a minimum number of months of education in veterinary medicine as a requirement for graduation from a school of veterinary medicine as set by the Board;

3. Evidence that the applicant for licensure or certification is of good moral character;

4. a.Except as otherwise provided by this paragraph, evidence that the applicant has passed examinations satisfactory to the Board and that the examination score is acceptable to the Board. The Board may set minimum passing scores for examinations and limit the number of times an applicant may take an examination in this state.

b.In lieu of national examination requirements, an applicant shall have actively engaged in the clinical practice of veterinary medicine for a period of at least five thousand (5,000) hours during the five (5) consecutive years immediately prior to making application in Oklahoma and hold a license to practice veterinary medicine in another state, territory, district or province of the United States and Canada and successfully passed the Oklahoma State Jurisprudence Examination;

5. Evidence that the applicant has demonstrated familiarity with the statutes and rules set by the Board;

6. Evidence that the applicant is mentally and professionally capable of practicing veterinary medicine in a competent manner as determined by the Board and willing to submit, if deemed appropriate by the Board, to an evaluation of skills and abilities;

7. Evidence that the applicant has not been found guilty by a court of law of any conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act or rules of the Board, and there has been no disciplinary action taken against the applicant by any public agency concerned with the practice of veterinary medicine;

8. If the Board deems it necessary, a personal appearance by the applicant before the Board in support of the applicant’s application for licensure or certification. If the Board is not satisfied with the credentials of the applicant, or demonstration of knowledge or skills presented, the Board may require further examination or supervised practice before reconsideration of the application; and

9. Evidence that all required fees have been paid.

C. Practice without the legal possession of an active license or certificate shall be prohibited, and evidence of said practice shall be reported by the Board to the district attorney of the county in which the practice is found to occur.

D. Certificates may be issued to any veterinarian who has failed to obtain or failed to maintain a regular license to practice veterinary medicine. Such certificates may be issued by the Board at such times as the Board determines that all requirements for possession of such certificate have been met as set by rules and policies of the Board. Certificates may be issued for, but not limited to, the practice of veterinary medicine under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian while the application for full licensure is pending.

Added by Laws 1971, c. 126, § 8, emerg. eff. May 4, 1971. Amended by Laws 1976, c. 48, § 1, emerg. eff. April 9, 1976; Laws 1982, c. 192, § 4, emerg. eff. April 22, 1982; Laws 1990, c. 314, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1990; Laws 1999, c. 94, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 1999.