GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	5 

HOUSE BILL 747
Committee Substitute Favorable 5/5/93
Committee Substitute #2 Favorable 5/12/93
Senate Finance Committee Substitute Adopted 7/15/93
Fifth Edition Engrossed 7/20/93

Short Title:  NC Veterinary Practice Act.	(Public)
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Sponsors:
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Referred to:  
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April 6, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 90-181 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-181.  Definitions.
When used in this Article these words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(1)	'Accredited school of veterinary medicine' means any veterinary college or division of a university or college that offers the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent and that conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
(2)	'Animal' means any animal, mammal other than man and includes birds, fish, and reptiles, wild or domestic, living or dead.
(2a)	'Animal dentistry' means the treatment, extraction, cleaning, adjustment, or 'floating' (filing or smoothing) of an animal's teeth, and treatment of an animal's gums.
(3)	'Board' means the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board.
(3a)	'Cruelty to animals' means to willfully overdrive, overload, wound, injure, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill any animal, or cause or procure any of these acts to be done to an animal; provided, that the words 'torture,' 'torment,' or 'cruelty' include every act, omission, or neglect causing or permitting unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death.
(4)	 'Limited veterinary license' or 'limited license' means a license issued by the Board under authority of this Article that specifically, by its terms, restricts the scope or areas of practice of veterinary medicine by the holder of the limited license; provided, that no limited license shall confer or denote an area of specialty of the holder of this limited veterinary license; and provided further, that unless otherwise provided by Board rule, the licensing requirements shall be identical to those specified for a veterinary license.
(5)	'Person' means any individual, firm, partnership, association, joint venture, cooperative or corporation, or any other group or combination acting in concert; and whether or not acting as a principal, trustee, fiduciary, receiver, or as any kind of legal or personal representative, or as the successor in interest, assignee, agent, factor, servant, employee, director, officer, or any other representative of such person.
(6)	'Practice of veterinary medicine' means:
a.	To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental conditions; including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique on any animal.
b.	To represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an ability and willingness to do any act described in sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision.
c.	To use any title, words, abbreviation, or letters in a manner or under circumstances which induce the belief that the person using them is qualified to do any act described in sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision.
(7)	'Veterinarian,' means a person who has received a doctor's degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited school of veterinary medicine and who is licensed by the Board to practice veterinary medicine.
(7a)	'Veterinarian-client-patient relationship' means that:
a.	The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or other caretaker) has agreed to follow the instruction of the veterinarian.
b.	There is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal.  This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal, or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.
c.	The practicing veterinarian is readily available or provides for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.
(7b)	'Veterinary license' or 'license' means a license to practice veterinary medicine issued by the Board.
(8)	'Veterinary medicine' includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
(9)	'Veterinary student intern' means a person who is enrolled in an accredited veterinary college, has satisfactorily completed the third year of veterinary college education, and is registered with the Board as a veterinary student intern.
(10)	'Veterinary student preceptee' means a person who is pursuing a doctorate degree in an accredited school of veterinary medicine that has a preceptor or extern program, has completed the academic requirements of that program, and is registered with the Board as a veterinary student preceptee.
(11)	'Veterinary technician' means either of the following persons:
a.	A person who has successfully completed a post-high school course in the care and treatment of animals that conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association and who is registered with the Board as a veterinary technician.
b.	A person who holds a degree in veterinary medicine from a college of veterinary medicine recognized by the Board for licensure of veterinarians and who is registered with the Board as a veterinary technician."
Sec. 2.  Article 11 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90-181.1.  Practice facility names and levels of service.
(a)	In order to accurately inform the public of the levels of service offered, a veterinary practice facility shall use in its name one of the descriptive terms defined in subsection (b) of this section.  The name of a veterinary practice facility shall, at all times, accurately reflect the level of service being offered to the public.  If a veterinary facility or practice offers on-call emergency service, that service must be as that term is defined in subsection (b) of this section.
(b)	The following definitions are applicable to this section:
(1)	'Animal health center' or 'animal medical center' means a veterinary practice facility in which consultative, clinical, and hospital services are rendered and in which a large staff of basic and applied veterinary scientists perform significant research and conduct advanced professional educational programs.
(2)	'Emergency facility' means a veterinary medical facility whose primary function is the receiving, treatment, and monitoring of emergency patients during its specified hours of operation.  At this veterinary practice facility a veterinarian is in attendance at all hours of operation and sufficient staff is available to provide timely and appropriate emergency care.  An emergency facility may be an independent veterinary medical after-hours facility, an independent veterinary medical 24-hour facility, or part of a full-service hospital or large teaching institution.
(3)	'Mobile facility' means a veterinary practice conducted from a vehicle with special medical or surgical facilities or from a vehicle suitable only for making house or farm calls; provided, the veterinary medical practice shall have a permanent base of operation with a published address and telephone facilities for making appointments or responding to emergency situations.
(4)	'Office' means a veterinary practice facility where a limited or consultative practice is conducted and which provides no facilities for the housing of patients.
(5)	'On-call emergency service' means a veterinary medical service at a practice facility, including a mobile facility, where veterinarians and staff are not on the premises during all hours of operation or where veterinarians leave after a patient is treated.  A veterinarian shall be available to be reached by telephone for after-hours emergencies.
(6)	'Veterinary clinic' or 'animal clinic' means a veterinary practice facility in which the practice conducted is essentially an out-patient practice.
(7)	'Veterinary hospital' or 'animal hospital' means a veterinary practice facility in which the practice conducted includes the confinement as well as the treatment of patients.
(c)	If a veterinary practice facility uses as its name the name of the veterinarian or veterinarians owning or operating the facility, the name of the veterinary practice facility shall also include a descriptive term from those listed in subsection (b) of this section to disclose the level of service being offered.
(d)	Those facilities existing and approved by the Board as of December 31, 1993, may continue to use their approved name or designation until there is a partial or total change of ownership of the facility, at which time the name of the veterinary practice facility shall be changed, as necessary, to comply with this section."
Sec. 3.  G.S. 90-182(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	In order to properly regulate the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, there is established a Board to be known as the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board which shall consist of eight members.
Four members shall be appointed by the Governor.  Three of these members shall have been legal residents of and licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this State for not less than five years preceding their appointment.  The other member shall not be licensed or registered under the Article and shall represent the interest of the public at large.  Each member appointed by the Governor shall reside in a different congressional district.
The Lieutenant Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House shall each appoint to the Board one member who shall have been a resident of and licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this State for not less than five years preceding his appointment.
In addition to the seven members appointed as provided above, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall biennially appoint to the Board the State Veterinarian or another veterinarian from a staff of a North Carolina department or institution.  This member shall have been a legal resident of and licensed to practice veterinary medicine in North Carolina for not less than five years preceding his appointment.
Every member shall, within 30 days after notice of appointment, appear before any person authorized to administer the oath of office and take an oath to faithfully discharge the duties of the office."
Sec. 4.  G.S. 90-182(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	No person who has been appointed to the Board shall continue his membership on the Board if during the term of his appointment he shall:
(1)	Transfer his legal residence to another state; or
(2)	Own or be employed by any wholesale or jobbing house dealing in supplies, equipment, or instruments used or useful in the practice of veterinary medicine; or
(3)	Have his license to practice veterinary medicine revoked for any of the causes listed in G.S. 90-187.8."
Sec. 5.  G.S. 90-183 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-183.  Meeting of Board.
The Board shall meet at least four times per year at the time and place fixed by the Board.  Other meetings may be called by the president of the Board by giving notice as may be required by rule.  A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Meetings shall be open and public except that the Board may meet in closed session to prepare, approve, administer, or grade examinations, or to deliberate the qualification of an applicant for license or the disposition of a proceeding to discipline a veterinarian.
At its last meeting of the fiscal year the Board shall organize by electing, for the following fiscal year, a president, a vice-president, a secretary-treasurer, and such other officers as may be prescribed by rule.  Officers of the Board shall serve for terms of one year and until a successor is elected, without limitation on the number of terms an officer may serve.  The president shall serve as chairman of Board meetings."
Sec. 6.  G.S. 90-184 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-184.  Compensation of the Board.
In addition to such reimbursement for travel and other expenses as is normally allowed to State employees, each member of the Board, for each day or substantial portion thereof that the member is engaged in the work of the Board may receive a per diem allowance, as determined by the Board in accordance with G.S. 93B-5.  None of the expenses of the Board or of the members shall be paid by the State."
Sec. 7.  G.S. 90-185 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-185.  General powers of the Board.
The Board may:
(1)	Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State.
(2)	Issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses and limited veterinary licenses, and issue, deny, or revoke temporary permits to practice veterinary medicine in the State or otherwise discipline veterinarians consistent with the provisions of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes and of this Article and the rules adopted under this Article.
(3)	Conduct investigations for the purpose of discovering violations of this Article or grounds for disciplining veterinarians.
(4)	Employ full-time or part-time personnel – professional, clerical, or special – necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Article, purchase or rent necessary office space, equipment, and supplies, and purchase liability or other insurance to cover the activities of the Board, its operations, or its employees.
(5)	Appoint from its own membership one or more members to act as representatives of the Board at any meeting within or without the State where such representation is deemed desirable.
(6)	Adopt, amend, or repeal all rules necessary for its government and all regulations necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Article, including the establishment and publication of standards of professional conduct for the practice of veterinary medicine.
The powers enumerated above are granted for the purpose of enabling the Board effectively to supervise the practice of veterinary medicine and are to be construed liberally to accomplish this objective."
Sec. 8.  G.S. 90-186 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-186.  Special powers of the Board.
In addition to the powers set forth in G.S. 90-185 above, the Board may:
(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, zoo veterinary certificate, or veterinary technician registration, respectively, under this Article;
(2)	Inspect any hospitals, clinics, mobile units or other facilities used by any practicing veterinarian, either by a member of the Board or its authorized representatives, for the purpose of reporting the results of the inspection to the Board on a form prescribed by the Board and seeking disciplinary action for violations of health, sanitary, and medical waste disposal rules of the Board affecting the practice of veterinary medicine, or violations of rules of any county, state, or federal department or agency having jurisdiction in these areas of health, sanitation, and medical waste disposal that relate to or affect the practice of veterinary medicine;
(3)	Upon complaint or information received by the Board, prohibit through summary emergency order of the Board, prior to a hearing, the operation of any veterinary practice facility that the Board determines is endangering, or may endanger, the public health or safety or the welfare and safety of animals, and suspend the license of the veterinarian operating the veterinary practice facility, provided that upon the issuance of any summary emergency order, the Board shall initiate, within 10 days, a notice of hearing under the administrative rules issued pursuant to this Article and Chapter 150B of the General Statutes for an administrative hearing on the alleged violation;
   	(4)	Provide special registration for 'veterinary technicians,' 'veterinary student interns' and 'veterinary student preceptees' and adopt rules concerning the training, registration and service limits of such assistants while employed by and acting under the supervision and responsibility of veterinarians.  The Board has exclusive jurisdiction in determining eligibility and qualification requirements for these assistants.  Renewals of registrations for veterinary technicians shall be required at least every 24 months, provided that the certificate of registration for the veterinary technician is otherwise eligible for renewal;
(5)	Provide, pursuant to administrative rules, requirements for the inactive status of licenses and limited veterinary licenses;
(6)	Set and require fees pursuant to administrative rule for the following:
a.	Issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration for a professional corporation, in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
b.	Administering a North Carolina license examination, in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
c.	Securing and administering national examinations, including the National Board Examination or the Clinical Competency Test, in amounts directly related to the costs to the Board.
d.	Inspection of a veterinary practice facility in an amount not to exceed seventy-five dollars ($75.00).
e.	Issuance or renewal of a license or a limited license in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
f.	Issuance or renewal of a veterinary faculty certificate, in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
g.	Issuance or renewal of a zoo veterinary certificate, in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
h.	Reinstatement of an expired license, a limited license, a veterinary faculty certificate, a zoo veterinary certificate, a veterinary technician registration, or a professional corporation registration in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).
i.	Issuance or renewal of a veterinary technician registration, in an amount not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).
j.	Issuance of a veterinary student intern registration, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
k.	Issuance of a veterinary student preceptee registration, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
l.	Late fee for renewal of a license, a limited license, a veterinary technician registration, a veterinary faculty certificate, a zoo veterinary certificate, or a professional corporation registration, in an amount not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).
m.	Issuance of a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
n.	Providing copies, upon request, of Board publications, rosters, or other materials available for distribution from the Board, in an amount determined by the Board that is reasonably related to the costs of providing those copies.
		The fees set under this subdivision for the renewal of a license, a limited license, a registration, or a certificate apply to each year of the renewal period.
(7)	Pursuant to administrative rule, to assess and recover against persons holding licenses, limited licenses, temporary permits, or any certificates issued by the Board, costs reasonably incurred by the Board in the investigation, prosecution, hearing, or other administrative action of the Board in final decisions or orders where those persons are found to have violated the Veterinary Practice Act or administrative rules of the Board issued pursuant to the Act; provided, that all costs shall be the property of the Board."
Sec. 9.  G.S. 90-187 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.  Application for license; qualifications.
(a)	Any person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this State shall make written application to the Board.
(b)	The application shall show that the applicant is a graduate of an accredited veterinary school, a person of good moral character, and such other information and proof as the Board may require by rule.  The Board may receive applications from senior students at accredited veterinary schools but an application is not complete until the applicant furnishes proof of graduation and such other information required by this Article and Board rules.  The application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount established and published by the Board.
(c)	An application from a graduate of a nonaccredited college of veterinary medicine outside the United States and Canada may not be considered by the Board until the applicant furnishes satisfactory proof of graduation from a college of veterinary medicine and of successful completion of the certification program developed and administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the American Veterinary Medical Association, which certification program shall include examinations with respect to clinical proficiency and comprehension of and ability to communicate in the English language.  
(d)	If the Board determines that the applicant possesses the proper qualifications, it may admit the applicant to the next examination, or if the applicant is eligible for a license without examination under G.S. 90-187.3; the Board may grant the applicant a license."
Sec. 10.  G.S. 90-187.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.1.  Examinations.
The Board shall hold at least one examination during each year and may hold such additional examinations as may appear necessary.  The executive director shall give public notice of the time and place for each examination at least 90 days in advance of the date set for the examination.  A person desiring to take an examination shall make application at least 60 days before the date of the examination.  The Board shall determine the passing score for the successful completion of an examination.
After each examination the executive director shall notify each examinee of the result of the examination. The Board shall issue licenses to the persons successfully completing the requirements for licensure required by this Article and by Board rule. "
Sec. 11.  G.S. 90-187.3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.3.  Applicants licensed in other states.
(a)	The Board may issue a license without written examination, other than the written North Carolina license examination, to applicants already licensed in another state provided the applicant presents evidence satisfactory to the Board that:
(1)	The applicant is currently an active, competent practitioner in good standing; and
(2)	The applicant has practiced at least three of the five years immediately preceding filing the application; and
(3)	The applicant currently holds an active license in another state; and
(4)	There is no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending against the applicant at the time a license is to be issued by this State; and
(5)	The licensure requirements in the other state are substantially equivalent to those required by this State; and
(6)	The applicant has achieved a passing score on the written North Carolina license examination.
(b)	The Board may issue a license without a written examination, other than the written North Carolina license examination, to an applicant who meets the requirements of G.S. 90-187(c).
(c)	The Board may at its discretion orally or practically examine any person qualifying for licensure under this section, by administering a nationally recognized clinical competency test as well as the North Carolina license examination.
(d)	The Board may issue a limited license to practice veterinary medicine to an applicant who is not otherwise eligible for a license to practice veterinary medicine under this Article, without examination, if the applicant meets the criteria established in subdivisions (1) through (6) of subsection (a) of this section."
Sec. 12.  G.S. 90-187.4(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The Board may issue, without examination, a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine in this State:
(1)	To a qualified applicant for license pending examination, provided that such temporary permit shall expire the day after the notice of results of the first examination given after the permit is issued.
(2)	To a nonresident veterinarian validly licensed in another state, territory, or district of the United States or a foreign country, provided that such temporary permit shall be issued for a period of no more than 60 days.
(3)	Temporary permits, as provided in (1) and (2) above, may contain any restrictions as to time, place, or supervision, that the Board deems appropriate.  The State Veterinarian shall be notified as to the issuance of all temporary permits."
Sec. 13.  G.S. 90-187.5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.5.  License renewal.
All licenses and limited licenses shall expire annually or biennially, as determined by the Board, on December 31 but may be renewed by application to the Board and payment of the renewal fee established and published by the Board. The executive director shall issue a new certificate of registration to all persons registering under this Article.  Failure to apply for renewal within 60 days after expiration shall result in automatic revocation of the license or limited license and any person who shall practice veterinary medicine after such revocation shall be practicing in violation of this Article.  Provided, that any person may renew an expired license or limited license at any time within two years following its expiration upon application and compliance with Board requirements and the payment of all applicable fees in amounts allowed by this Article or administrative rule of the Board; and further provided, that the applicant is otherwise eligible under this Article or administrative rules of the Board to have the license renewed."
Sec. 14.  G.S. 90-187.6 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.6.  Veterinary technicians and veterinary employees.
(a)	'Veterinary technicians,' 'veterinary student interns,' and 'veterinary student preceptees,' before performing any services otherwise prohibited to persons not licensed or registered under this Article, shall be approved by and registered with the Board.  The Board shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to the qualifications, registration, discipline, and revocation of registration of these persons, under this Article and rules issued by the Board.
(b)	The services of a technician, intern, preceptee, or other veterinary employee shall be limited to services under the direction and supervision of a veterinarian.  This employee shall receive no fee or compensation of any kind for services other than any salary or compensation paid to the employee by the veterinarian or veterinary facility by which the employee is employed.  The employee may participate in the operation of a branch office, clinic, or allied establishment only to the extent allowable under and as defined by this Article or by rules issued by the Board.
(c)	An employee under the supervision of a veterinarian may perform such duties as are required in the physical care of animals and in carrying out medical orders as prescribed by the veterinarian, requiring an understanding of animal science but not requiring the professional services as set forth in G.S. 90-181(6)a.  In addition, a veterinary technician may assist veterinarians in diagnosis, laboratory analysis, anesthesia, and surgical procedures.  Neither the employee nor the veterinary technician may perform any act producing an irreversible change in the animal.  An employee, other than a veterinary technician, intern, or preceptee, may, under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, perform duties including collection of specimen; testing for intestinal parasites; collecting blood; testing for heartworms and conducting other laboratory tests; taking radiographs; and cleaning and polishing teeth, provided that the employee has had sufficient on-the-job training by a veterinarian to perform these specified duties in a competent manner.  It shall be the responsibility of the veterinarian supervising the employee to ascertain that the employee performs these specified duties assigned to the employee in a competent manner.  These specified duties shall be performed under the direct supervision of the veterinarian in charge of administering care to the patient.
(d)	Veterinary student interns, in addition to all of the services permitted to veterinary technicians, may, under the direct personal supervision of a veterinarian, perform surgery and administer therapeutic or prophylactic drugs.
(e)	Veterinary student preceptees, in addition to all of the services permitted to veterinary technicians and veterinary student interns, may, upon the direction of the employing veterinarian, make ambulatory calls and hospital and clinic diagnoses, prescriptions and treatments.
(f)	Any person registered as a veterinary technician, veterinary student intern, or veterinary student preceptee, who shall practice veterinary medicine except as provided herein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to the penalties set forth in this Article and shall also be subject to revocation of registration.  Any nonregistered veterinary employee employed under subsection (c) who practices veterinary medicine except as provided under that subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties prescribed in G.S. 90-187.12.
(g)	Any veterinarian directing or permitting a veterinary technician, intern, preceptee or other employee to perform a task or procedure not specifically allowed under this Article and the rules of the Board shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties set forth in this Article or General Statutes, or both."
Sec. 15.  G.S. 90-187.8 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.8.  Discipline of licensees.
(a)	Upon complaint or information, and within the Board's discretion, the Board may revoke or suspend a license issued under this Article, may otherwise discipline a person licensed under this Article, or may deny a license required by this Article in accordance with the provisions of this Article, Board rules, and Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.  As used in this section, the word 'license' includes a license, a limited license, a veterinary faculty certificate, a zoo veterinary certificate, and a registration of a veterinary technician, a veterinary student intern, and a veterinary student preceptee.
(b)	The Board may impose and collect from a licensee a civil monetary penalty of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation of this Article or a rule adopted under this Article.  The amount of the civil penalty, up to the maximum, shall be determined upon a finding of one or more of the following factors:
(1)	The degree and extent of harm to the public health or to the health of the animal under the licensee's care.
(2)	The duration and gravity of the violation.
(3)	Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally or reflects a continuing pattern.
(4)	Whether the violation involved elements of fraud or deception either to the client or to the Board, or both.
(5)	The prior disciplinary record with the Board of the licensee.
(6)	Whether and the extent to which the licensee profited by the violation.
(c)	Grounds for disciplinary action shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1)	The employment of fraud, misrepresentation, or deception in obtaining a license.
(2)	An adjudication of insanity or incompetency.
(3)	 The impairment of a person holding a license issued by the Board, when the impairment is caused by that person's use of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances, and the impairment interferes with that person's ability to practice within the scope of the license with reasonable skill and safety and in a manner not harmful to the public or to animals under the person's care.
(4)	The use of advertising or solicitation which is false, misleading, or deceptive.
(5)	Conviction of a felony or other public offense involving moral turpitude.
(6)	Incompetence, gross negligence, or other malpractice in the practice of veterinary medicine.
(7)	Having professional association with or knowingly employing any person practicing veterinary medicine unlawfully.
(8)	Fraud or dishonesty in the application or reporting of any test for disease in animals.
(9)	Failure to keep veterinary premises and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition, violating an administrative rule of the Board concerning the minimum sanitary requirements of veterinary hospitals, veterinary clinics, or other practice facilities, or violating other State or federal statutes, rules, or regulations concerning the disposal of medical waste.
(10)	Failure to report, as required by the laws and regulations of the State, or making false report of, any contagious or infectious disease.
(11)	Dishonesty or gross negligence in the inspection of foodstuffs or the issuance of health or inspection certificates.
(12)	Conviction of a criminal offense involving cruelty to animals or the act of cruelty to animals.
(13)	Revocation of a license to practice veterinary medicine by another state, territory or district of the United States only if the grounds for revocation in the other jurisdiction would also result in revocation of the practitioner's license in this State.
(14)	Unprofessional conduct as defined in regulations adopted by the Board.
(15)	Conviction of a federal or state criminal offense involving the illegal use, prescription, sale, or handling of controlled substances, other drugs, or medicines.
(16)	The illegal use, dispensing, prescription, sale, or handling of controlled substances or other drugs and medicines.
(17)	Failure to comply with regulations of the United States Food and Drug Administration regarding biologics, controlled substances, drugs, or medicines.
(18)	Selling, dispensing, prescribing, or allowing the sale, dispensing, or prescription of biologics, controlled substances, drugs, or medicines without a veterinarian-client-patient relationship with respect to the sale, dispensing, or prescription.
(19)	Acts or behavior constituting fraud, dishonesty, or misrepresentation in dealing with the Board or in the veterinarian-client-patient relationship."
Sec. 16.  G.S. 90-187.10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.10.  Necessity for license; certain practices exempted.
No person shall engage in the practice of veterinary medicine or own all or part interest in a veterinary medical practice in this State or attempt to do so without having first applied for and obtained a license for such purpose from the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board, or without having first obtained from said Board a certificate of renewal of license for the calendar year in which such person proposes to practice and until he shall have been first licensed and registered for such practice in the manner provided in this Article and the rules and regulations of the said Board.
Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prohibit:
(1)	Any person or his employee from administering to animals, the title to which is vested in himself, except when said title is so vested for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this Article;
(2)	Any person who is a regular student or instructor in a legally chartered college from the performance of those duties and actions assigned as his responsibility in teaching or research;
(3)	Any veterinarian not licensed by the Board who is a member of the armed forces of the United States or who is an employee of the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Public Health Service or other federal agency, or the State of North Carolina, or political subdivision thereof, from performing official duties while so commissioned or employed;
(4)	Any person from such practices as permitted under the provisions of G.S. 90-185, House Bill 659, Chapter 17, Public Laws 1937, or House Bill 358, Chapter 5, Private Laws 1941;
(5)	Any person from dehorning or castrating male food animals;
(6)	Any person from providing for or assisting in the practice of artificial insemination;
(7)	Any physician licensed to practice medicine in this State, or his assistant, while engaged in medical research;
(8)	Any certified rabies vaccinator appointed, certified and acting with the provisions of G.S. 130A-186;
(9)	Any veterinarian licensed to practice in another state from examining livestock or acting as a consultant in North Carolina, provided he is directly supervised by a veterinarian licensed by the Board who must, at or prior to the first instance of consulting, notify the Board, in writing, that he is supervising the consulting veterinarian, give the Board the name, address, and licensure status of the consulting veterinarian, and also verify to the Board that the supervising veterinarian assumes responsibility for the professional acts of the consulting veterinarian; and provided further, that the consultation by the veterinarian in North Carolina does not exceed 10 days or parts thereof per year, and further that all infectious or contagious diseases diagnosed are reported to the State Veterinarian within 48 hours; or
(10)	Any person employed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture as a livestock inspector or by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an animal health technician from performing regular duties assigned to him or her during the course and scope of that person's employment."
Sec. 17.  G.S. 90-187.11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-187.11.  Partnership, corporate, or sole proprietorship practice.
A veterinary medical practice may be conducted as a sole proprietorship, by a partnership, or by a duly registered professional corporation.
Whenever the practice of veterinary medicine is carried on by a partnership, all partners must be licensed.
It shall be unlawful for any corporation to practice or offer to practice veterinary medicine as defined in this Article, except as provided for in Chapter 55B of the General Statutes of North Carolina."
Sec. 18.  Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90-187.14.  Veterinary faculty certificates and zoo veterinary certificates.
(a)	The Board may, upon application, issue veterinary faculty certificates in lieu of a license that otherwise would be required by this Article.
(b)	The Board may, upon application, issue zoo veterinary certificates in lieu of a license that otherwise would be required by this Article, to veterinarians employed by the North Carolina State Zoo.
(c)	The Board shall determine by administrative rule the application procedure, fees, criteria for the issuance, continuing education, renewal, suspension or revocation, and the scope of practice under the veterinary faculty certificate or the zoo veterinary certificate.  There shall be an annual renewal of each certificate and all persons holding these certificates shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Board in all respects under this Article."
Sec. 19.  This act becomes effective October 1, 1993.