Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 71-A: MAINE VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT OF 1975
32 §4861. Application for license; qualifications and examination; endorsement

§4861. Application for license; qualifications and examination; endorsement
A person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this State must make written application and pay the license fee as set under section 4863‑A. The application must show that the applicant holds a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from an approved veterinary medicine program that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and by the board, and is trustworthy and competent and provide such other information and proof as the board may establish by rule. The board may adopt rules applicable to graduates of approved veterinary medicine programs by the Commissioner of Education and rules applicable to foreign educated graduates who can demonstrate equivalent education and training. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. [PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (AMD).]
1. Examinations.
[PL 2003, c. 251, §2 (RP).]
1-A. Examinations. The board may test an applicant's knowledge of the laws and rules relating to the practice of veterinary medicine. The board may require successful completion of an equivalency examination or assessment mechanism for foreign educated and trained applicants that is designed to evaluate educational equivalence, including clinical competencies and a command of the English language.
The board may employ and cooperate and contract with an organization or consultant in the preparation, administration and grading of an examination, but retains sole discretion and responsibility for determining which applicants have successfully passed the examination. The applicant shall pay the examination fee as set under section 4863‑A.
[PL 2015, c. 209, §14 (AMD).]
2. Oral or practical examination.
[PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (RP).]
3. Temporary permit.
[PL 2015, c. 209, §14 (RP).]
4. Permit for performance of relief veterinary service. The board may issue without examination a permit to perform relief veterinary service in this State to a qualified person who holds a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from an approved veterinary medicine program that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and by the board or by rules of the board applicable to foreign educated graduates, and who holds a current license for the practice of veterinary medicine issued by another state, United States territory, province of Canada or other jurisdiction. The board may establish, by rule, the application process. The initial term of a permit issued under this subsection may not exceed 30 days. Extensions may be granted in the discretion of the board. The applicant shall pay the relief permit fee as set under section 4863‑A.
[PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (AMD).]
4-A. Request by state veterinarian. Upon the request by the state veterinarian to the board for emergency situations as determined by the state veterinarian, a veterinarian licensed in another state may practice in the State for a period not to exceed 30 days without a state license or permit.
[PL 2015, c. 209, §14 (NEW).]
5. License from another jurisdiction. The board shall grant a license to a veterinarian who:
A. Has submitted a complete application; [PL 1997, c. 246, §18 (NEW).]
B. Has paid the examination and license fee as set under section 4863‑A; [PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (AMD).]
C. Holds a valid license issued by another state, United States territory, province of Canada or other jurisdiction; [PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (AMD).]
D. [PL 2003, c. 251, §2 (RP).]
D-1. Has successfully passed an examination pursuant to subsection 1‑A pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine as determined by board rule. The board may require the applicant to submit to an examination covering the laws and rules pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine in this State; and [PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (AMD).]
E. Has actively practiced clinical veterinary medicine for 3,000 hours during the 3 years preceding application. [PL 2003, c. 251, §2 (AMD).]
F. [PL 2003, c. 251, §2 (RP).]
Notwithstanding this subsection, the board shall waive the requirement that a veterinarian pass an examination for veterinarians who have, during the 6 years preceding the application, actively practiced clinical veterinary medicine for at least 6,000 hours without disciplinary action relating to the practice of veterinary medicine by another state, United States territory or province of Canada.
[PL 2021, c. 642, §22 (AMD).]
6. Licensure by endorsement. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the board, in accordance with Title 10, section 8003‑H and any applicable rules adopted pursuant to that section, shall establish a process to issue a license by endorsement for each license authorized under this chapter that the board determines is appropriate for licensure by endorsement. An applicant may submit an application under the process established under this subsection or any other licensure process authorized in this chapter.
[PL 2021, c. 642, §23 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1975, c. 477, §4 (NEW). PL 1977, c. 694, §640 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 291, §5 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 48, §§4,5 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 246, §§13-18 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 251, §2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 347, §C1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 189, §1 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 209, §14 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 642, §§21-23 (AMD).