CHAPTER 574

AN ACT to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a section num-
bered 54-784.1, relating to the power and authority of the Board of
Veterinary Examiners; and to amend and reenact §§ 54-785, 54-786
and 54-789.4 of the Code, all relating to the regulation of the practice
of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry.

(S 174]
Approved March 29, 1958
Be it enacted by the Genera] Assembly of Virginia: ;

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding a section thereto
numbered 54-784.1, and to amend and reenact §§ 54-785, 54-786 and
54-789.4 of the Code, the new and amended sections being as follows:

§ 54-7841. The board shall have the power and authority.

(1) To determine according to law the qualifications of all persons
making application to be examined for certificates to practice veterinary
medicine, surgery or dentistry in this State. oo

(2) To examine according to law qualified applicants for examination
and determine whether they are possessed of the skill and knowledge re-
ain by law to practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry in this

tate.

(8) To grant certificates and renewals thereof according to law to
all persons who have complied with all provisions of law requisite for the
granting thereof.

(4) To refuse to grant any certificate and to suspend or revoke any
certificate granted for any reason permitted by law. .

(5) To establish, supervise, regulate, maintain and control according
to law programs for the practical training of qualified students of veteri-
nary medicine, surgery or dentistry duly enrolled tn a veterinary college
or university approved by the Board and of graduates therefrom who have
complied with all the provisions of § 54-788.1.

(6) To regulate and inspect according to law veterinary hospitals,
animal hospitals, and all other establishments or premises wherein or
whereon the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry, or any
part thereof, is engaged in.

(7) To approve colleges and universities offering the degree of
veterinary medicine or surgery, graduation from which may be required
by law as a qualification for the granting of any certificate and to estab-
lish essential requirements and standards for such approval.

(8) To prescribe according to law reasonable standards of conduct
and ethics for the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry.

(9) To hold hearings in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter and of Chapter 1.1 (§ 9-6.1 et seq.) of Title 9, to subpoena witnesses
and to administer oaths to or receive the affirmation of witnesses before
the Board.

(10) To perform such other acts and to exercise such other powers
and duties as may be provided elsewhere in this chapter or otherwise by
law or as may be necessary to carry out the powers herein conferred.

§ 54-785. The Board * shall, from time to time, make and adopt as
provided in Chapter 1.1 (§ 9-6.1 et seq.), Title 9, such rules, regulations
and by-laws for its * governance and for the carrying out and enforcement
of the provisions of this chapter as may be necessary and as are con-
sistent with the laws of this State and of the United States. The powers
and duties of the Board shall be performed, the profession of veterinary
medicine, surgery and dentistry shall be conducted, and all veterinary
hospitals, animal hospitals, and other establishments or premises wherein
or whereon the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry, or
any part thereof, is engaged in, shall be operated and maintained in ac-
cordance with such rules, regulations and by-laws.

§ 54-786. Any person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary
medicine*, surgery or dentistry within the meaning of this chapter, who *
professes publicly to be a veterinary doctor, surgeon or dentist and offers
for practice as such; or who, * for hire, fee, compensation or reward,
promised, offered, received or expected, either directly or indirectly,
diagnoses, prognoses, treats, administers any drug, medicine or other
treatment, prescribes, operates or manipulates, or applies any apparatus
or appliance for the prevention, cure, or relief of any disease, pain, de-
formity, defect, injury, wound or physical condition of an animal, or for
the prevention of, or to test for the presence of, any disease of an animal,
or performs a surgical, medical or dental procedure or renders surgical,
medical or dental aid to, for or upon an animal; or who holds himself out as
being legally qualified or authorized to do so; or who uses any words, let-
ters, or titles in such connection or under such circumstances as to induce
the belief that the person so using them is engaged in or legally qualified or
authorized to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery or
dentistry. But nothing in this chapter shall apply to residents of this
State, who confine their practice solely to the castration, spaying or de-
horning of livestock, or to any person or his employee practicing veterinary
medicine, surgery or dentistry on his own animals, or the animals
of such employer, or to veterinarians duly licensed in other states called
tn actual consultation or to attend a case in this State who do not open an
office or appoint a place to practice within this State, or to veterinarians
employed by the United States or by this State while actually engaged in
the performance of their official duties, or to any employee of this State
while engaged in the performance of an official duty related to research
or education or in connection with the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

§ 54-789.4. The Board may refuse to grant a certificate *, and may
suspend or revoke * any certificate granted, to practice veterinary medicine,
* surgery or dentistry in this State * if the applicant for such certificate or
the holder thereof:

(1) Has been adjudicated insane; or

(2) Habitually uses drugs or intoxicants; or

(3) Has been convicted of a felony or of a crime involving moral
turpitude; or

(4) * Has obtained the certificate to practice by fraud or misrepresen-
tation, either in the application therefor or in passing the examination
therefor; or

(5) Has been guilty of employing * or permitting any person who
does not hold a certificate to practice veterinary medicine, surgery or
dentistry in this State to perform work which, under this chapter, can
lawfully be done only by persons * holding such certificates and permitted
by law to practice veterinary medicine *, surgery or dentistry in this State;

or

(6) Willfully violates any provision of this chapter or any valid rule
or regulation of the Board adopted pursuant thereto; or

(7) Has been convicted of a violation of any federal or State law
relating to narcotic drugs.