Arizona § 32-2215 - Qualifications for license to practice veterinary medicine

§ 32-2215. Qualifications for license to practice veterinary medicine

A. An applicant for a license issued under this chapter shall:

1. Be a graduate of a veterinary college that is accredited by the American veterinary medical association or hold a certificate issued by the educational commission for foreign veterinary graduates, the program for the assessment of veterinary education equivalence or a foreign graduate testing program approved by the board.  This paragraph does not apply to an applicant for a veterinary faculty member license who has graduated from a veterinary college.

2. Satisfactorily pass both a state examination approved by the board as provided in this chapter and the North American veterinary licensing examination. This paragraph does not apply to an applicant for a veterinary faculty member license.

B. An applicant may be denied licensure either before or after an examination if the applicant has committed any act that if committed by a licensee would be grounds for suspension or revocation of a license to practice veterinary medicine under this chapter.

C. The board may waive the examination requirement pursuant to section 32-2214, subsection A, paragraph 2 and, except as provided in subsection E of this section, may issue a license by endorsement to an applicant to practice veterinary medicine if the applicant provides all required documentation pursuant to section 32-2213 and meets the following requirements:

1. Holds an active license in one or more other states or in Canada and submits verification that the applicant has previously taken and passed the examination required by section 32-2214, with a score at least equal to the score required to pass in this state.  An applicant who received original licensure before the examination required by section 32-2214 was required in the state in which the applicant was originally licensed may be eligible for licensure without having taken that examination as required pursuant to this chapter if all other requirements are met.

2. Lawfully and actively engages in the practice of veterinary medicine for at least three of the preceding five years or six of the preceding ten years in one or more states in this country or in Canada before filing an application for licensure in this state.

3. Has graduated from a veterinary college recognized by the board.

4. Successfully passes a state examination approved by the board with a grade of at least seventy-five percent.

5. Pays a fee for the license of $750.

D. The board may waive the examination requirement pursuant to section 32-2214, subsection A, paragraph 2 and, except as provided in subsection E of this section, may issue a specialty license to an applicant to practice veterinary medicine if the applicant provides all required documentation pursuant to section 32-2213 and meets the following requirements:

1. Holds a current certification as a specialist of a national specialty board or college recognized by the American veterinary medical association.

2. Limits the applicant's practice to the scope of the applicant's board certification.

3. Successfully passes a state examination approved by the board with a score of at least seventy-five percent.

4. Pays a fee for the specialty license of $750.

E. The board shall determine whether previous disciplinary action prevents licensure by endorsement or specialty licensure of an applicant to practice veterinary medicine, and the board may discipline the licensee at the time of licensure as a result of the previous disciplinary action.

F. Any veterinary faculty member who is employed by a veterinary college that is accredited by the American veterinary medical association, if applicable, is subject to the requirements under the veterinary faculty member license.