§ 31.11. Application for licensure.

 (a)  Application forms. Application forms for original or reciprocal licensure may be obtained from the Administrative Office of the Board by contacting the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, Post Office Box 2649, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2649, veterina@pados.dos.state.pa.us, or by accessing the Board’s web page at www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/vetbd/mainpage.htm. Application forms shall be returned to the Board at least 60 days prior to the first day of the NAVLE testing period.

 (b)  Original licensure. As a prerequisite to original licensure as a veterinarian, an applicant shall submit the following documentation to the Board:

   (1)  Evidence of graduation from an approved school or college of veterinary medicine. The applicant’s official transcript provided by the degree-granting institution or a verification of graduation from the degree-granting institution shall be evidence of graduation from an approved college of veterinary medicine. A graduate of a school or college of veterinary medicine outside of the United States and Canada shall submit certification by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates or another program which may subsequently be approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association as proof of graduation from an approved school or college of veterinary medicine.

   (2)  North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) results as furnished through a National examination grade reporting service. The Board will accept an applicant’s grades from the National Board Examination (NBE) and Clinical Competency Test (CCT) examinations if taken within the last 5 years as furnished through a National examination grade reporting service in lieu of the NAVLE, if the applicant passed these examinations with a score equivalent to or higher than the passing score then prevailing in this Commonwealth.

   (3)  A letter of good standing from the licensure board of each state where the applicant has held a license to practice veterinary medicine, reporting the outcome of disciplinary actions taken against the applicant, if any, in that state.

   (4)  A statement from the applicant that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P. S. § §  780-101—780-144), or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless the following apply:

     (i)   At least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction.

     (ii)   The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction so that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations.

     (iii)   The applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in the act.

 (c)  Reciprocal licensure. An applicant for licensure by reciprocity who has held a valid license from another state and has been actively engaged in clinical practice in that state for 5 years immediately preceding application for licensure in this Commonwealth, may be granted a license to practice veterinary medicine in this Commonwealth after having paid the fee required by §  31.41 (relating to schedule of fees), and submitted the following documentation to the Board:

   (1)  An application form under subsection (a).

   (2)  A verification of clinical practice, completed by the applicant, describing in detail the applicant’s clinical practice during the immediately preceding 5 years.

   (3)  A letter from the licensure board of the state wherein the applicant has been actively engaged in clinical practice during the immediately preceding 5 years, certifying 5 years of continued licensure in that state.

   (4)  Two certificates of recommendation from licensed veterinarians regarding the applicant’s character and competence and attesting to the fact that the applicant has been in active clinical practice during the immediately preceding 5 years.

   (5)  A letter of good standing from each board office in which the applicant has held a license to practice veterinary medicine, reporting the outcome of disciplinary actions taken against the applicant, if any, in that state.

   The provisions of this §  31.11 amended under section 812.1 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. §  279.3a); and sections 5(7), 9 and 11 of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act (63 P. S. § §  485.5(7), 485.9 and 485.11).

   The provisions of this §  31.11 adopted October 29, 1969; amended January 12, 1979, effective January 13, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 154; amended January 20, 1989, effective January 21, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 237; amended June 14, 1996, effective June 15, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 2785; amended May 26, 2000, effective immediately, and apply to examinations administered after April 12, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 2583; amended April 12, 2002, effective April 13, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 1861. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (267142) to (267144).