Section 1730-01-.04 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURETo be eligible for licensure as a veterinarian, an applicant must meet all of the following qualifications and follow the procedures listed in Rule 1730-01-.05.
(1) Veterinarian by Examination (a) Submit a written application in the form determined by the Board.(b) Graduate and receive a doctorate degree from a school or college of veterinary medicine approved by the Board.(c) Pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) within the past five (5) years preceding application.(d) Provide proof of good moral character. Proof of good moral character will be determined by the Board and the Board's administrative staff through review of the application documents and background check. The Board may require an applicant to appear before the Board to answer questions or provide additional information regarding the applicant's character.(e) Pay the required fees set forth in Rule 1730-01-.06.(2) Veterinarian by Reciprocity (a) Submit a written application in the form determined by the Board.(b) Provide proof of good moral character. Proof of good moral character will be determined by the Board and the Board's administrative staff through review of the application documents and background check. The Board may require an applicant to appear before the Board to answer questions or provide additional information regarding the applicant's character.(c) Provide proof of initial licensure by examination and proof that such license is in good standing.(d) Provide proof that any other veterinary licenses granted by any other states, privileges or certifications have not been disciplined or restricted for any reason. The Board shall have the discretion to assess the magnitude of any disciplinary action to determine the licensure eligibility of the applicant.(e) Provide proof of having engaged in active veterinary practice for three (3) of the five (5) years preceding application. "Active veterinary practice", for the purpose of this section is defined as practice in the area of veterinary medicine as defined in T.C.A. § 63-12-103(10) for an average of twenty-five (25) hours per week in another state or jurisdiction. The Board may consider a waiver upon request. 1. The Board may grant a waiver pertaining to the number of years and average weekly hours of active practice.2. Waivers will be considered only on an individual basis and may be requested by submitting a written request to the Board's administrative office.(f) Provide proof of completion of a minimum of sixty (60) hours of continuing education in the five (5) years preceding application. Forty-five (45) hours must pertain to the medical and surgical care of animals. Fifteen (15) hours may pertain to a special interest in veterinary medicine in fields other than the medical and surgical care of animals, including but not limited to practice management and state and federal regulatory programs. A maximum of thirty (30) hours may be obtained in a multi-media format as set forth in Rule 1730-01-.12(3)(d)(2). 1. The Board may grant a waiver of the need to attend and complete the required hours of continuing education.2. Waivers will be considered only on an individual basis and may be requested by submitting a written request to the Board's administrative office.(g) Pay the required fees set forth in Rule 1730-01-.06.(3) Foreign Graduates. In addition to meeting the prerequisites outlined in Rule 1730-01-.04(1) or (2) graduates from a Foreign Veterinary Medical School must: (a) Be certified by 1. the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), which is a committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association; or2. the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE), which is a program of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards; or3. a certification agency deemed by the Board to be equivalent to ECFVG or PAVE; and(b) Be a graduate from a veterinary school approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association or the Board; and(c) Provide an official copy of grades and curriculum, translated if not in English. The original document and the translation must be certified as authentic by the issuing source.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1730-01-.04
Original rule filed April 28, 1995; effective July 12, 1995. Amendment filed November 12, 1999; effective January 26, 2000. Amendment filed September 29, 2000; effective December 13, 2000. Amendment filed May 26, 2004; effective August 9, 2004. Amendment filed November 2, 2005; effective January 16, 2006. Amendments filed September 10, 2009; effective December 9, 2009. Amendment filed May 23, 2014; effective 8/21/2014.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-12-106, 63-12-107, 63-12-112, 63-12-114, 63-12-115, 63-12-116, and 63-12-117.