32-2272. Veterinary premises license; application; nontransferability; expiration; renewal; civil penalty

A. Any person who desires to establish premises at or from which veterinary services are offered to the public shall file with the board an application for a veterinary premises license accompanied by the license fee.

B. The application shall be on a form prescribed and furnished by the board and shall contain:

1. The name and location of the premises.

2. The name of the person owning the premises and the name and signature of the veterinarian responsible to the board for the operation of the premises. The responsible veterinarian shall be a veterinarian who is licensed in this state and who resides in this state or who holds a special permit under section 32-2217.01, except that a veterinarian who only provides services at a temporary site in the state does not have to reside in this state.

3. A description of the services provided at or from the premises.

C. A license is valid only for the responsible veterinarian to whom it is issued. A license is not subject to sale, assignment or transfer, voluntary or involuntary. A license is not valid for any premises other than those for which issued. If there have been major changes in the scope of veterinary services offered, the premises are subject to reinspection.

D. A change of responsible veterinarian or owner shall cancel a premises license. The responsible veterinarian or owner shall surrender the premises license to the board within twenty days of the change in responsible veterinarian or owner. The failure of the responsible veterinarian or owner to notify the board in writing within twenty days of a change in responsible veterinarian or owner is grounds for disciplinary action.

E. Except as provided in section 32-4301, a license expires on December 31 of every even-numbered year unless suspended or revoked. A license is renewable for two years upon payment of the renewal fee. If the renewal fee is not paid before February 1 following the expiration of the license, a penalty fee of one hundred dollars shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee before the premises may be relicensed.

F. Within ninety days of receipt of an initial application and fee, the board shall issue a license if the application demonstrates compliance with this article or shall notify the applicant at his last address of record if the application is not in conformance with this article. Veterinary medical services may be performed at any premises for which an application fee is submitted pending issuance of the license or notification of a deficiency in the application.

G. If a veterinary premises ceases to operate and the premises owner is subject to this chapter, the premises owner must continue to comply with the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted by the board. The premises owner is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation of the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted by the board. The total penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars.

H. If the responsible veterinarian is only an employee, the premises owner is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation of this article. The total penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars.