1. An individual desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state must meet the following requirements:

a. The individual must be a graduate of an approved college of veterinary medicine or fulfill the requirements as set forth in section 87-01.1-01-04 for a graduate of a college that is not an approved college of veterinary medicine. An approved college of veterinary medicine must be accredited by the American veterinary medical association council on education;

b. The individual shall pass the national board examination and the clinical competency test or the North American veterinary licensing examination. The board adopts the passing score on the national examination recommended by the international council for veterinary assessment. Applicants shall request that their examination scores be sent to the board. North Dakota candidates may apply for and take the North American veterinary licensing examination according to eligibility criteria, deadlines, and fees specified in the annual agreement between the board and the international council for veterinary assessment. An individual who fails the North American veterinary licensing examination may retake the examination in keeping with the retake policy of the international council for veterinary assessment;

c. The individual shall:

(1) Complete the application form provided by the board; (2) Pay the nonrefundable application fee of eighty dollars; (3) Pay the initial license fee of one hundred ten dollars; (4) Provide a copy of the individual's diploma or other official proof of graduation; (5) Provide verification of any license to practice veterinary medicine issued by a another jurisdiction; and

(6) Sign a statement attesting the applicant has read, understands, and shall abide by the statutes and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in this state; and

d. The individual shall receive a passing score of eighty percent on the state board examination. The individual must be approved to take the state board examination upon submission of a completed application and all necessary documents. The state board examination is a jurisprudence examination that may be administered by written or electronic methods. An individual who fails the state board examination may be allowed to retake the examination after a period of thirty days upon repayment of the application fee. An individual who fails the state board examination twice shall have approval by the board to take the state board examination a third time. An individual who fails the state board examination a third time shall petition the board for reconsideration of eligibility to further take the state board examination.

2. The individual may be required to complete an oral interview at the request of the board.

3. The board shall issue a license to each applicant who meets the requirements to practice veterinary medicine in this state. The license may be issued by the executive director and approved by the board at one of its regular meetings if there is no previous discipline, criminal conviction, or other concern related to the individual's ability to practice veterinary medicine.

4. A senior veterinary student may submit an application and take the state board examination if the student has taken and passed the North American veterinary licensing examination and submits a letter from the dean of an approved college of veterinary medicine indicating the student's anticipated graduation date.

5. An applicant found unqualified may request a hearing on the question of the applicant's qualifications.

6. If the application for licensure has not been successfully completed within one year from the date of initial submission, a new application and fee are required.

History: Effective January 1, 1999; amended effective November 1, 2000; June 1, 2002; August 1, 2004; April 1, 2009; January 1, 2014; April 1, 2022; April 1, 2026.

General Authority: NDCC 43-29-03, 43-29-07

Law Implemented: NDCC 43-29-07