§ 2403. Exemptions from licensure

Regardless of whether acts performed are within the definition of the practice of veterinary medicine as defined in subdivision 2401(5) of this title, a license to practice veterinary medicine shall not be required under section 2402 of this title by the following:

(1) The owner of an animal and the owner's full-time regular employee caring for and treating the animal belonging to the owner, except where the ownership of the animal was transferred for purposes of circumventing this chapter.

(2) A person advising with respect to or performing acts that are accepted livestock management practices and animal husbandry practices such as the use of procedures for artificial insemination, dehorning, clipping and shoeing animals, trimming feet, and use of handheld files, rasps, or other devices to remove overgrowth from the teeth of horses (floating), but not to include power-assisted filing or power-assisted floating, extraction of teeth, or other procedures that invade the soft tissue of the mouth. Prescription drugs shall not be used except by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian, as provided by State and federal law.

(3) An employee of the federal, State, or local government performing his or her official duties.

(4) A person who is a regular student in a school of veterinary medicine performing duties or actions assigned by his or her instructors, or working under the direct on-premises supervision of a licensed veterinarian during a school vacation period, or in a preceptorship program.

(5) A veterinarian regularly licensed in another state consulting with a licensed veterinarian in this State.

(6) Any merchant or manufacturer selling at his or her regular place of business medicines, feed, appliances, or other products used in the prevention or treatment of animal diseases.

(7) A member of the faculty of a school of veterinary medicine performing his or her regular functions or a person lecturing or giving instructions or demonstrations at a school of veterinary medicine or in connection with a continuing education course or seminar.

(8) Any person selling or applying any pesticide, insecticide, or herbicide.

(9) Any person engaging in bona fide scientific research that reasonably requires experimentation involving animals.

(10) Any employee of a licensed veterinarian performing duties other than diagnosis, prescription, or surgery under the direct on-premises supervision of the veterinarian who is responsible for his or her performance.

(11) A graduate of a foreign college of veterinary medicine who is in the process of obtaining an E.C.F.V.G. certificate performing duties or actions under the direct on-premises supervision of a licensed veterinarian. (Added 1981, No. 67, § 1; amended 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. June 27, 2002; 2013, No. 114 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)