§ 63-12-101. Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Tennessee Veterinary Practice Act.”
§ 63-12-102. Purpose of Chapter
It is hereby declared that the practice of veterinary medicine is a privilege that is granted by legislative authority in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare. To protect the public from being misled by incompetent, unscrupulous and unauthorized practitioners and from unprofessional or illegal practices by persons licensed to practice veterinary medicine, […]
§ 63-12-103. Chapter Definitions
As used in this chapter: “Animal” means any animal other than man and includes fowl, birds, reptiles and fish, wild or domestic, living or dead; “Board” means the board of veterinary medical examiners; “Certified animal control agency” means a county or municipal animal shelter, dog pound or animal control agency, private humane society, state, county […]
§ 63-12-104. Creation of Board — Appointment and Removal of Members
There is created the board of veterinary medical examiners, referred to as the “board” in this chapter. The board shall be composed of: Five (5) licensed doctors of veterinary medicine, who shall be graduates of an approved school of veterinary medicine and of good standing in their profession and who have had not less than […]
§ 63-12-105. Meetings of Board — Officers — Rules and Regulations — Quorum — Seal
The board shall meet annually at such time and place as may be agreed upon by a majority of the members, at which meeting it shall elect from its membership a president, vice president, and secretary. The board is authorized to create other officers and to adopt such rules and regulations as may be proper […]
§ 63-12-106. Powers of Board
The board is authorized to: Adopt reasonable rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine as are necessary to enable it to carry out and make effective the purpose and intent of this chapter. Such rules shall be adopted pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5; Adopt rules of professional […]
§ 63-12-107. Meetings of Board
The board shall meet at least once each year at such times and places as it may decide upon and remain in session sufficiently long to examine all who may make application at the appointed time for a license. Four (4) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and […]
§ 63-12-108. Compensation of Members — Expenses of Board
The members of the board shall receive as compensation for their services one hundred dollars ($100) per day for each day or portion thereof, each, while in actual service of the board, which, together with the necessary expenses of each meeting of the board, shall be paid out of any moneys in the treasury of […]
§ 63-12-109. Funds of Board — Disposition of Surplus
It is unlawful for the board or any member thereof, in any manner whatsoever or for any purpose, to charge or obligate the state for the payment of any money, and the board shall look alone to the revenue derived from the operation of this chapter for the compensation designated in § 63-12-108. If the […]
§ 63-12-110. Records of Board — Confidentiality
The board shall keep records of its proceedings in a book provided for that purpose, especially with relation to the issuance, denial, renewal, suspension and revocation of licenses to practice veterinary medicine. All licenses issued by the board shall be numbered and recorded by the secretary in a file for that purpose; and where a […]
§ 63-12-111. Approval of Veterinary Schools
The board may approve schools and colleges of veterinary medicine which maintain standards of training and reputability sufficient to admit their graduates to the examinations given by the board. In determining the standard of training and reputation of schools or colleges of veterinary medicine, the board may approve schools and colleges that are accredited by […]
§ 63-12-112. License Requirement — Qualifications of Applicants
Any person wishing to practice veterinary medicine in this state shall obtain a license from the board. It is unlawful for such person to practice veterinary medicine as defined in § 63-12-103 unless the person obtains a license; and if the person so practices, the person shall be considered to have violated this chapter. The […]
§ 63-12-113. Temporary Licenses
The board may issue a temporary license to practice veterinary medicine, to be used only under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, upon payment of a fee as set by the board, to: A veterinarian who meets all qualifications and requirements pursuant to this chapter and who has applied to take the examination as […]
§ 63-12-114. Application for Examination
Any person desiring to take the state board written and oral examination shall make application in writing to the board on blanks provided for that purpose at least forty-five (45) days before the examination. The application for the state board written and oral examination shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as set by […]
§ 63-12-115. Examinations
The examination of applicants for license to practice veterinary medicine shall be administered by designated board members, and will consist of the national board examination and the state board examination and will be conducted under uniform rules and regulations adopted by the board. The board shall require the applicant to take a written examination in […]
§ 63-12-116. Issuance of Licenses
If the applicant for examination be found worthy and competent by the board, it shall issue to the applicant a certificate of license to practice veterinary medicine in this state. Each licensee shall be entitled to exercise all the rights and privileges of a doctor of veterinary medicine. Every person practicing veterinary medicine shall be […]
§ 63-12-117. Issuance of License Without Examination — Reciprocity
The board, in its discretion, may issue a license without a written examination to a qualified applicant who furnishes satisfactory proof that the applicant is a graduate of an approved veterinary college and meets all other standards adopted by the board in rules and regulations. At its discretion, the board may orally or practically examine […]
§ 63-12-118. Veterinary Wellness Committees
As used in this section, “veterinary wellness committee” or “committee” means any committee, board, commission, or other entity established by any state-wide veterinary medical association or local veterinary medical association for the purpose of providing immediate and continuing help to veterinary professionals licensed to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology, students of veterinary medicine and […]
§ 63-12-119. Penalty for Unlicensed Practice
Any person who practices or attempts to practice veterinary medicine in this state and makes a charge for the practice without having complied with this chapter commits a Class B misdemeanor for each instance of such practice.
§ 63-12-120. Continuing Education
Each license holder under this chapter, except as otherwise provided, shall be required to meet continuing educational requirements each year within the renewal period, which are approved by the board, such as those conducted or sponsored by the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, the Southern Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association or any of […]