5-25-1. Chapter title -- Creation of board of veterinary medicine.
5-25-3. Board -- Composition -- Appointment and terms of members.
5-25-4. Board -- Qualifications of members.
5-25-5. Disposition of fees collected.
5-25-6. Board and department -- Powers and duties.
5-25-7. Practice of veterinary medicine defined.
5-25-7.1. Record of animals receiving veterinary services.
5-25-8. Penalty for unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine.
5-25-9. Prosecution of violations.
5-25-10. Qualifications for licensure.
5-25-11. Licensing of veterinarians.
5-25-12. Expiration and renewal of licenses.
5-25-14. Grounds for refusal to issue, refusal to renew, revoke, or suspend a license.
5-25-15. Procedure for discipline of veterinarians.
5-25-17. Immunity from liability for gratuitous emergency care.
5-25-1. Chapter title -- Creation of board of veterinary medicine.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Veterinary Practice Act." Within the division of professional regulation of the department of health, there shall be a board of veterinary medicine to assist the division in regulating the practice of veterinary medicine administered by the director of the department.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Animal" means any animal other than man and includes, by way of illustration, not limitation, fowl, birds, fish, livestock, and reptiles, wild or domestic, living or dead.
(2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of health.
(3) "Director" means the director of the Rhode Island department of health.
(4) "Division" means the division of professional regulation within the department of health established in chapter 26 of this title.
(5) "Veterinarian" means a person who practices veterinary medicine.
(6) "Veterinarian/client/patient relationship" means a relationship where all of the following conditions have been met:
(i) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal or animals and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian.
(ii) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal or animals to initiate at least a general or preliminary (e.g. tentative) diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal or animals. This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal or animals, and/or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal or animals are kept.
(iii) The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in cases of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.
(iv) The veterinarian maintains records, which document patient visits, diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant information.
(7) "Veterinary dentistry" means that part of veterinary science that deals with the prevention and treatment of diseases, developmental conditions and injuries of the teeth, gums and oral cavity in animals.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 343, § 1.
5-25-3. Board -- Composition -- Appointment and terms of members.
The governor shall appoint a board of veterinary medicine. The board shall be composed of six (6) members whose terms of office shall extend for three (3) years and until a successor is appointed. Five (5) members of the board shall be veterinarians licensed in the state one of which whose practice shall include the treatment of equine or large animals and one member shall be a public member. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms. Former board members are eligible for reappointment no earlier than three (3) years following the expiration of their last term. The governor shall appoint one member for a term of one year; two (2) for a term of two (2) years; two (2) for a term of three (3) years; and one public member for a three (3) year term. Initial appointments to the board shall take effect as of the date of appointment, however, the initial terms shall be calculated as though the date of appointment had been July 1, 1986. Appointments made subsequently shall be for three (3) year terms. Terms shall begin on the first day of July of the year in which they are appointed and expire on the last day of June of the last year of their appointment. Any vacancy on the board caused other than by expiration of term shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of this section. The governor may remove any member of the board for cause.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 1986, ch. 455, § 1.
The proceeds of any fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited as general revenues.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 455, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 11.
5-25-4. Board -- Qualifications of members.
Five (5) members of the board shall:
(1) Be residents of this state and licensed to practice within this state for at least five (5) years prior to appointment.
(2) Be actively engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine for at least five (5) of the seven (7) years immediately preceding their appointment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
5-25-5. Disposition of fees collected.
All fees or funds collected under this chapter shall be paid into the state general treasury.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
5-25-6. Board and department -- Powers and duties.
(a) The board is authorized to recommend to the department and director of health for his or her approval, the adoption, and from time to time, the revision, of any rules and regulations not inconsistent with law that are necessary to enable the department to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, regulations establishing continuing professional education requirements for veterinarians licensed under this chapter. The board shall recommend for licensure only duly qualified applicants. The board shall review applicants at least twice a year. It shall recommend the tests taken by applicants for licensure.
(b) The department shall adopt all policies to be followed in the examination, licensure, and renewal of license of duly qualified applicants and has full authority to accept or reject the recommendations of the board. The department is responsible for granting all licenses to practice veterinary medicine. The department shall conduct hearings upon charges calling for the discipline of licensees or revocation of licenses. The department has the power to issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses and administer oaths to persons giving testimony at hearings. The department shall cause the prosecution of all persons violating this chapter. The department shall keep a record of all its proceedings. The department may delegate to any other persons that are necessary to carry on the work of the department.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 241, § 1.
5-25-7. Practice of veterinary medicine defined.
(a) Any person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry within the meaning of this chapter who, either directly or indirectly, when he or she does any of the following:
(1) Represents himself or herself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, or veterinary dentistry in any of its branches.
(2) Diagnoses, prognoses, treats, administers, prescribes, operates on, manipulates or applies any drug, biologic, or chemical or any apparatus or appliance for any disease, pain, deformity, defect, injury, wound, or physical condition of any animal for the prevention of or to test the presence of any disease.
(3) Cuts any tissue, muscle, organ, or structure of any animal for the purposes described in subdivision (2) of this subsection or for the purpose of altering the natural condition of any animal or for any other purpose, cause, or reason.
(b) The term “practicing veterinary medicine” does not include:
(1) The calling into the state for consultation of duly licensed or registered veterinarians of any other state as to any case under treatment by a veterinarian registered under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) The experimentation or research of a registered physician, dentist, or osteopath.
(3) The experimentation and research activities conducted at any hospital, laboratory, or educational institution provided the activities have been approved and authorized by the division within the period of one year prior to the commencement of each separate project or activity or are conducted under the general supervision and control of a registered veterinarian, physician, dentist, or osteopath.
(4) The gratuitous giving of aid or relief to an animal in any accident or emergency; provided, the person giving the aid or relief does not represent himself or herself as a registered veterinarian.
(5) The nursing care to animals in the establishment or facilities of a registered veterinarian under his or her general supervision, direction, and control by the employees of the veterinarian or the activities of a person assisting a veterinarian during the course of any procedure or treatment.
(6) A person who is a regular student in a legally chartered college or school of veterinary medicine while in the performance of the duties and activities assigned by his or her instructors and provided there is a licensed veterinarian to supervise those acts.
(7) A person who is a member of the armed forces of the United States or who is an employee or official of the United States Department of Agriculture, Public Health Service, or other federal agency or of the state, who, while so commissioned or employed, performs official duties.
(8) A person authorized by the Rhode Island state or federal animal health official to conduct vaccinations or testing of animals for the purpose of disease control activity under the supervision of that authorizing official.
(9) A person who advises with respect to or performs acts that are livestock management and animal husbandry practices that have been accepted and performed as defined in the duly promulgated rules and regulations governing livestock welfare. Prescription drugs shall not be used except by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian, as provided by state and federal law.
(c) Upon the determination by the attending zoo veterinarian that there is no available licensed Rhode Island veterinarian with specialized skills to provide the necessary treatment, assistance can be sought from a licensed human medical practitioner to provide treatment to an animal that is part of the zoological collection. The licensed veterinarian shall maintain responsibility for the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
Credits
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 343, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 125, § 1, eff. July 5, 2017; P.L. 2017, ch. 141, § 1, eff. July 5, 2017.
5-25-7.1. Record of animals receiving veterinary services.
(a) A veterinarian subject to the provisions of the chapter shall keep a written record, or a computerized record able to produce a printed copy, of all animals receiving veterinary services, and provide a summary of that record to the owner of animals receiving veterinary services, when requested. The minimum amount of information to be included in written or computerized records and summaries shall be as established by rules and regulations. The minimum duration of time for which a licensed veterinarian or their designee shall retain the written record or computerized record shall be determined by rules and regulations.
(b) A radiograph is the property of the veterinary practice in which the veterinarian associated with that practice originally ordered it to be prepared, and it shall be released upon the written request of another veterinarian who has the authorization of the owner of the animal to whom it pertains and the radiograph shall be returned to the original veterinary practice within a reasonable time.
(c) When a patient/owner requests, in writing, that his or her animal or animals' records and/or radiographs be transferred to another veterinarian, the original veterinarian shall promptly honor that request. The fee charged for the transfer shall not exceed the direct expense incurred to make copies for the veterinary records and/or radiographs.
History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 343, § 2.
5-25-8. Penalty for unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine.
Any person who is not lawfully authorized to practice veterinary medicine and is not registered or exempt from registration, as defined in this chapter, practices or attempts to practice veterinary medicine or who holds himself or herself out to the public as a practitioner of veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry, whether by signs, words, advertisements, listings in directories, the use of the title "doctor" or any abbreviation of that word or any title including "V.S." or by the use of any other means implying a practitioner of veterinary medicine or any of its branches, fraudulently uses any posted degree, diploma, or certificate implying a practitioner of veterinary medicine or any of its branches, or who opens an office or maintains an establishment or facilities for the purpose of or with the intention of practicing veterinary medicine is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or be imprisoned not exceeding three (3) years and upon a subsequent conviction shall be fined not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), nor be imprisoned not exceeding five (5) years, or be both fined and imprisoned.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
5-25-9. Prosecution of violations.
Complaints for the violation of the provisions of this chapter may be made by the director of the department of health, the administrator of the division of professional regulation, the executive director or authorized agent of the state board of veterinarians or any person including a member of the board to the police of the city or town in which the violation occurred for prosecution. If the complaint is made by a member of the board, division, or by any employee or official of the state designated in this chapter, that person is exempt from giving surety for costs in the complaint.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
5-25-10. Qualifications for licensure.
Any applicant for licensure shall submit to the department written evidence on forms furnished by the department that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Is a graduate of a school or college of veterinary medicine recognized and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and by the department or certification by the Educational Council for Foreign Veterinary Graduates;
(2) Pays an application fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 at the time of submitting the application, which, in no case is returned to the applicant;
(3) Is of good moral character, evidenced in the manner prescribed by the department;
(4) Complies with any other qualifications that the department prescribes by regulation; and
(5) Complies with the continuing education requirements adopted by the department.
Credits
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 14, § 3; P.L. 2004, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 241, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 39, § 2, eff. July 1, 2007; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 9, § 2, eff. July 1, 2012; P.L. 2018, ch. 176, § 6, eff. July 2, 2018; P.L. 2018, ch. 289, § 6, eff. July 2, 2018.
5-25-11. Licensing of veterinarians.
(a) By Examination. The applicant is required to pass, with a grade determined by the division, an examination approved by the division; upon payment of an examination fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 every candidate who passes that examination, and in the opinion of the division meets the qualifications of § 5-25-10, shall, upon payment of an initial license fee, which shall be equal to the biennial license renewal fee in effect, be issued a license to practice veterinary medicine. Veterinarians licensed under the provisions of this chapter on August 31, 1985 shall continue to be licensed.
(b) Without Examination by Endorsement. A license to practice veterinary medicine may be issued without examination to an applicant who has been duly licensed by examination as a veterinarian under the laws of another state or territory or District of Columbia, if, in the opinion of the division, the applicant meets the qualifications required of veterinarians in this state, as further defined in rules and regulations.
(c) Emergency or natural disaster. A veterinarian who is properly and currently licensed or credentialed in another state may practice, without written examination or other qualification, in the state of Rhode Island during an emergency or natural disaster as determined by the Rhode Island state veterinarian or the director of the division of agriculture. Said veterinarian shall provide only those services that are at the direction of the Rhode Island state veterinarian or the chief of the division of agriculture and are directly related to a response to an emergency or natural disaster and only until the services of the veterinarian are no longer required as determined by the Rhode Island state veterinarian or the chief of the division of agriculture.
CREDIT(S)
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 343, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 14, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 39, § 2, eff. July 1, 2007; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 9, § 2, eff. July 1, 2012; P.L. 2013, ch. 32, § 1, eff. May 24, 2013; P.L. 2013, ch. 42, § 1, eff. May 24, 2013.
5-25-12. Expiration and renewal of licenses.
(a) The certificate of every person licensed as a veterinarian under the provisions of this chapter expires on the first day of May of each even numbered year. On or before the first day of March of each two (2) year period, the department shall mail an application for renewal of license to every person to whom a license has been issued or renewed during the current licensure period. Every person so licensed who desires to renew his or her license shall file with the department a renewal application duly executed together with a renewal fee as set forth in § 23-1-54 on or before the thirty-first day of March of each even numbered year.
(b) Upon receipt of an application, and payment of the renewal fee, the department shall grant a renewal license effective the second day of May, and expiring on the first day of May of the next even numbered year.
(c) Any person who allows his or her license to lapse by failing to renew it on or before the thirty-first day of March of the next even numbered year, as provided in subsection (a), may be reinstated by the department on payment of the current renewal fee plus an additional fee as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(d) Any person using the title “veterinarian” during the time that his or her license has lapsed is subject to the penalties provided for violations of this chapter.
(e) Every veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine within the state shall, in connection with renewal of licensure, provide satisfactory evidence to the department that in the preceding two-year period the veterinarian has completed a prescribed course of continuing professional education established by an appropriate professional veterinary medicine association and approved by rule or regulation of the department. The department may extend for only one six (6) month period, these education requirements if the department is satisfied that the applicant has suffered hardship which prevented meeting the educational requirement.
CREDIT(S)
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 14, § 3; P.L. 2004, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 241, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 39, § 2, eff. July 1, 2007; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 9, § 2, eff. July 1, 2012.
(a) Every veterinary practice shall provide some form of referral for emergency veterinary services when a veterinarian is not available. That referral, at the minimum, shall be a combination of a posted sign at the veterinary practice entrance and access to emergency veterinary services through the veterinary practice main telephone number.
(b) A veterinarian who advertises veterinary emergency services shall include in all emergency service advertisements the hours during which such emergency services are provided and the availability of the veterinarian who is to provide emergency service in his or her practice.
(c)(1) The availability of the veterinarian who is to provide emergency service shall be specified as either "veterinarian on premises" or "veterinarian on call".
(2) The phrase "veterinarian on premises" means that there is a veterinarian actually present at the hospital, clinic or other type of veterinary practice, who is prepared to render emergency veterinary services.
(3) The phrase "veterinarian on call" means that a veterinarian is not present at the hospital, clinic or other type of veterinary practice but is able to respond within a reasonable time to requests for emergency veterinary services and has been designated to so respond.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 343, § 1.
5-25-14. Grounds for refusal to issue, refusal to renew, revoke, or suspend a license.
The division has the power to deny, revoke, or suspend any license issued under this chapter or otherwise discipline a licensee upon proof of the following:
(1) Conviction of a felony; and conviction of a crime arising out of the practice of veterinary medicine;
(2) Addiction to narcotics, habitual drunkenness, or rendering professional services to a patient while the veterinarian is intoxicated or incapacitated by the use of drugs;
(3) Knowingly placing the health of a client at serious risk without maintaining proper precautions;
(4) Fraud or misrepresentation in any phase of procuring or renewing a license;
(5) Unprofessional conduct, which includes the matters set forth in this section or other matters as further defined in regulations of the division;
(6) Advertising designed to mislead the public;
(7) Representing certain procedures are performed with greater authority or expertise;
(8) Fraud or misrepresentation of treatment procedures or statements regarding the ability to treat;
(9) Fee splitting or kickbacks of any kind, except where services are provided jointly;
(10) Failure to maintain acceptable sanitation standards;
(11) Malpractice, gross negligence, or wanton disregard of accepted professional standards;
(12) Adjudication of mental incompetence;
(13) Lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical impairment or otherwise; or
(14) Any other grounds to deny, revoke, or suspend a license as provided for in the rules and regulations.
Credits
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 343, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 467, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 400, § 5, eff. July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 401, § 5, eff. July 13, 2021.
5-25-15. Procedure for discipline of veterinarians.
(a) When a written allegation is filed with the division charging a person with having been guilty of any of the actions specified in § 5-25-14, the division of professional regulation shall immediately investigate those charges.
(b) In the event the investigation reveals reasonable grounds for believing that the applicant or veterinarian is guilty of the charges, upon the recommendation of the division or the administrator, the director shall fix a time and place for hearing the charges, and shall cause a copy of the charges together with a notice of the time and the place fixed for the hearing to be served personally upon the accused at least twenty (20) days prior to the time fixed for the hearing. When personal service cannot be effected and that fact is certified, by oath, by any person duly authorized to make service, the division shall cause to be published once in each of two (2) successive weeks, a notice of the hearing in a newspaper published in the county where the accused last resided according to the records of the division and shall mail a copy of the charges and of the notice to the accused at his or her last known address. When publication of notice is necessary, the date of the hearing shall not be less than twenty (20) days after the last date of publication of the notice. At the hearing, the accused shall have the right to appear personally or by counsel or both, to produce witnesses and evidence on his or her behalf, to cross-examine witnesses and to have subpoenas issued by the administrator of the division of professional regulation. The attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents, and papers at the hearing may be compelled by subpoenas issued by the administrator, which shall be served in accordance with law. At the hearing, the administrator shall administer oaths as are necessary for the proper conduct of the hearing. The division shall not be bound by the strict rules of procedure or by the laws of evidence in the conduct of its proceedings, but the determination shall be based upon sufficient legal evidence to sustain it. If the accused is found guilty of the charges, the division may refuse to issue a registration to the applicant or may revoke or suspend their license or otherwise discipline that person.
(c) Upon the revocation or suspension of any license, the holder of the license shall surrender the license to the administrator of the division who shall strike the name of the holder from the register.
(d) A revoked or suspended license may be reviewed at the discretion of the division.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
5-25-16. Appeal from a final decision or ruling of the division of professional regulation or the director of the department of health .
Any person aggrieved by any final decision or ruling of the division or the director has a right to appeal as provided in chapter 35 of title 42.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.
5-25-17. Immunity from liability for gratuitous emergency care.
(a) No veterinarian licensed under the provisions of this chapter or members of the same profession duly licensed to practice in other states of the United States, who voluntarily and gratuitously and other than in the course of his or her employment or practice, renders emergency veterinary assistance to an animal in need of assistance, is liable for civil damages for any injuries which result from acts or omissions by those persons in rendering the emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence.
(b) The immunity granted by this section does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence.
History of Section.
P.L. 1985, ch. 531, § 2.