32-2207. Veterinary board; powers and duties

The primary duty of the board is to protect the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified, impaired or unprofessional practitioners of veterinary medicine through licensure and regulation of the profession in this state. The powers and duties of the board include:

1. Administering and enforcing this chapter and board rules.

2. Regulating disciplinary actions, the granting, denial, revocation, renewal and suspension of licenses and certificates and the rehabilitation of licensees and certificate holders pursuant to this chapter and board rules.

3. Prescribing the forms, content and manner of application for licensure and certification and renewal of licensure and certification and setting deadlines for the receipt of materials required by the board.

4. Keeping a record of all licensees and certificate holders, board actions taken concerning all applicants, licensees and certificate holders and the receipt and disbursal of monies.

5. Adopting an official seal for attestation of licenses, certificates and other official papers and documents.

6. Investigating charges of violations of this chapter and board rules and orders.

7. Subject to title 41, chapter 4, article 4, employing an executive director who serves at the pleasure of the board.

8. Adopting rules pursuant to title 41, chapter 6 that relate to the qualifications and regulation of doctors of veterinary medicine, certified veterinary technicians, veterinary premises, mobile veterinary clinics and crematories and other rules that the board deems necessary for the administration of this chapter. The rules may include continuing education requirements for licensees and certificate holders and shall include:

(a) Minimum standards of veterinary practice.

(b) Provisions to ensure that the public has reasonable access to nonconfidential information about the licensing or certification status of persons regulated under this chapter and about resolved complaints against licensees and certificate holders.

(c) Provisions to ensure that members of the public have an opportunity to evaluate the services that the board provides to the public.

(d) A provision that licensed veterinary faculty members are not subject to continuing education requirements.

9. Establishing by rule fees and penalties as provided in this chapter, including fees for the following:

(a) Reproduction of documents.

(b) Verification of information about a licensed veterinarian at the request of a veterinary licensing board in another jurisdiction.

(c) Return of checks due to insufficient funds, an order to stop payment or a closed account.

(d) Provision of a list of the names of veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians or veterinary premises licensed or certified by the board.

10. Adopting rules that require the board to inform members of the public about the existence of the office of the ombudsdman-citizens aide established by section 41-1375.