In order to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by safeguarding the people of this Territory against unqualified or incompetent practitioners of veterinary medicine, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands declares that the practice of veterinary medicine is a privilege conferred by legislative grant to persons having the personal and professional qualifications specified in […]
When used in this chapter, these words and phrases have the following meanings: (1) “Accredited college of veterinary medicine” means any veterinary college, school, or division of a university or college that offers the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or its equivalent and is accredited by the Council of Education of the American Veterinary […]
(a) A person is regarded as practicing veterinary medicine within the meaning of this chapter who represents himself, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, as a veterinary doctor or uses any title, words, abbreviation or letters in a manner or under circumstances that may reasonably induce the belief that the person using them is qualified […]
(a) No person may practice veterinary medicine in the Virgin Islands except within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. (b) A veterinarian-client-patient relationship may not be established solely by telephonic or other electronic means.
(a) This chapter may not be construed to prohibit: (1) A federal or local government employee from performing the employee’s official duties. (2) A student who is enrolled in: (A) an accredited college of veterinary medicine from performing duties or actions assigned by instructors or working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, or […]
(a) In order to accurately inform the public of the levels of service offered, a veterinary practice facility must use in its name one of the descriptive terms defined in subsection (b) of this section. The name of a veterinary practice facility must, at all times, accurately reflect the level of service being offered to […]
(a) In order to properly regulate the practice of veterinary medicine, there is established a Board within the Department of Health to be known as the Virgin Islands Board of Veterinary Medicine. (b) The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor for terms of three years. (1) Four members, two residents from the […]
The Board shall meet at least quarterly each year at the time and place fixed by rules of the Board. Other necessary meetings may be called by the Board by giving notice as may be required by its rules. Except as may otherwise be provided, a majority of the Board constitutes a quorum to transact […]
(a) The Board shall: (1) Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in the Virgin Islands. (2) Adopt, promulgate, and enforce regulations relating to specific duties and responsibilities; certification, registration, or licensure; and other matters pertaining to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists, or non-licensed persons consistent […]
(a) In addition to the general powers set forth in § 179, the Board shall: (1) Fix minimum standards for continuing veterinary medical education for veterinarians and technicians, which shall be a condition precedent to the renewal of a veterinary license, limited license, veterinary faculty certificate, or veterinary technician registration, respectively; (2) Inspect any hospitals, […]
No person is allowed to practice veterinary medicine or practice as a veterinary technician in the Virgin Islands unless that person has been licensed by the Board.
(a) A person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in the Virgin Islands must make written application to the Board. (b) By way of application, an applicant must establish that he is a graduate of an AVMA-accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine or the holder of an equivalent certificate as defined in the […]
(a) The Board shall administer or cause to be administered at least two examinations annually and may hold such additional examinations as are necessary to avoid delay in issuing licenses to qualified applicants. The Board shall give public notice of the time and place for each examination not less than 90 days prior to the […]
(a) The Board shall issue a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine: (1) To a qualified applicant pending examination, provided that the temporary permit expires upon applicant’s failure to pass the examination; (2) To a nonresident veterinarian validly licensed in another state, commonwealth, district, territory, or possession of the United States, provided that the temporary […]
(a) A license expires two years after its issuance, but may be renewed by application to the Board and payment of the renewal fee as established and published by the Board. (b) The Board shall establish the continuing education requirements that must be met for license renewal. The Board shall also publish the types of […]
The Board shall adopt regulations that provide for continuing education requirements for re-licensure and licensure by endorsement of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technologists. Upon the passage of this chapter, a veterinarian is required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of approved continuing education annually, and veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists are required to […]
(a) No person shall assist in the practice of veterinary medicine under the direction, supervision and responsibility of a veterinarian as a veterinary technician, or veterinary technologists without first applying for and obtaining a certificate of qualification as a veterinary technician or veterinary technologist from the Board and registering his employment in accordance with Board […]
(a) The Board may deny or suspend any registration or deny or revoke any certificate of qualification upon a finding that the applicant or veterinary technician or veterinary technologist: (1) solicited patients for any practitioner of the veterinary healing arts; (2) solicited or received any form of compensation from any person other than the person’s […]
(a) Upon receipt of a written, sworn complaint, the Board may, after a fair hearing and by a majority vote, revoke or suspend a license pursuant to this chapter, or may otherwise discipline a person licensed under this chapter, or may deny a license for any of the following reasons: (1) the use of fraud, […]
On written application made to the Board showing cause justifying relicensing or reinstatement, a person whose license was suspended or revoked may, at the discretion of the Board, be relicensed or reinstated at any time without an examination by majority vote of the Board.
