Bill Text: GA HB409 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

Georgia House Bill 409 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Veterinarians; application for license; revise provisions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-07-01 - Effective Date [HB409 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB409-Introduced.html

12 LC 36 1829/AP

House Bill 409 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representative Maddox of the 172nd

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 3 of Chapter 50 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensing and registration of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, so as to revise certain provisions as to the application for a license to practice veterinary medicine; to provide for a waiver under certain circumstances; to revise certain provisions as to the scheduling and administration of examinations for veterinary technicians; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 3 of Chapter 50 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensing and registration of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, is amended by revising Code Section 43-50-31, relating to application for license as a veterinarian, qualifications, determination as to admission or nonadmission to examination, and waiver, as follows:

"43-50-31.

(a) Any person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state shall make application to the board. The application shall include evidence, satisfactory to the board, that:

(1) The applicant has attained the age of 18;

(2) The applicant is of good moral character;

(3) The applicant is a graduate of an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine or possesses an ECFVG certificate or its substantial equivalent; provided, however, that a senior veterinary student may, in the discretion of the board, be allowed to sit for the examination during his or her senior year if he or she meets the other qualifications but shall not be issued a license unless and until he or she graduates and;

(4) The applicant has passed a board approved examination; provided, however, that the board may provide by rule or regulation for a waiver of any part of such examination for veterinarians who are licensed as such by another state and who are in good standing therewith; and

(4)(5) The applicant meets such other qualifications or provides such other information as the board may require by rule.

(b) The application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount established by the board.

(c) If the board determines that an applicant possesses the proper qualifications, it shall admit the applicant to the next examination; provided, however, that the board may provide by rule for waiver of any part of such examination for veterinarians who are licensed as such by another state and who are in good standing therewith The division director shall record the new licenses and issue a certificate of registration to the new licensees."

SECTION 2.

Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 43-50-32, relating to frequency of examinations, notification to applicants of results, and admission for reexamination as a veterinarian, as follows:

"43-50-32.

(a) The board shall hold at least one license examination during each year and may hold such additional license examinations as are necessary.

(b) After each examination, the division director shall notify each examinee of the result of his or her examination, and the board shall issue licenses to the persons successfully completing the examination. The division director shall record the new licenses and issue a certificate of registration to the new licensees. If an applicant fails a license examination, the applicant may take a subsequent examination upon payment of the registration and examination fees. No person may take the examination more than three times without review and approval by the board. Approval may be provided under such circumstances as the board deems appropriate."

SECTION 3.

Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 43-50-53, relating to scheduling and administration of examinations, reexaminations, and reactivation, as follows:

"43-50-53.

(a) The board shall hold at least one registration examination for applicants annually or allow applicants to take automated tests at such locations and at such times as determined by the board. The board shall approve an examination to measure the competence of the applicant to engage in the practice as a veterinary technician and shall set by rule or regulation the score needed to pass any such examination.

(b) The board shall establish rules or regulations governing the preparation, administration, and grading of the examination. The board may adopt the National Veterinary Technicians Examination prepared by the Professional Examination Service or any other such examination prepared to the board's standards and satisfaction.

(d)(b) If an applicant fails an examination, the applicant may take a subsequent examination upon payment of the registration and examination fees. No person may take the examination more than three times without review and approval by the board under such circumstances as the board deems appropriate.

(e)(c) Any veterinary technician in this state whose certificate of registration has been on inactive status for at least five consecutive years and who desires to reactivate such registration shall be required to take continuing education, pay all fees, and meet all other requirements and board rules or regulations for registration as a veterinary technician. It shall be the duty of the board to approve study materials that may be used to assist such persons in preparing for any examination."

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.