14.1 Authority

1. A. These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred under R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-25-6 and 4-9.1-8 and are established for the purpose of adopting prevailing standards for the licensure of veterinarians in this state.

14.2 Incorporation by Reference

1. A. This Part hereby adopts and incorporates the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) “Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA” (2024) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this Part.

14.3 Definitions

1. A. Wherever used in this Part, the terms listed below shall be construed as follows:

   1. 1. "Act" means R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-25, entitled, "Veterinary Practice Act."
   2. 2. "Animal" means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-2(1).
   3. 3. “Animal rescue” means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-1(1).
   4. 4. "Board" means the Board of Veterinary Medicine established under the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-1.
   5. 5. “Client” means, for the purposes of this Part, the same as ‘owner,’ and ‘owner’ means the same as ‘client.’
   6. 6. “Department” means the Rhode Island Department of Health.
   7. 7. "Director" means the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health or their designee.
   8. 8. “Donated drug” means a drug that was originally prescribed and dispensed for an animal, then subsequently donated to a licensed veterinarian or a facility in which veterinary medicine is practiced.
   9. 9. “Drug” means a regulated substance used for the purpose of treating animals.
   10. 10. “Medication” means, for the purposes of this Part, the same as ‘drug,’ and ‘drug’ means the same as ‘medication.’
   11. 11. “Must” means, for the purposes of this Part, the same as ‘shall,’ and ‘shall’ means the same as ‘must.’
   12. 12. “Non-contact hours” means Internet courses, correspondence courses, tapes, or other continuing education programs that do not provide for direct interaction between faculty and the participant.
   13. 13. “Nonprofit corporation” means as defined by R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-1(3).
   14. 14. “Patient” means, for the purposes of this Part, the same as ‘animal,’ and ‘animal’ means the same as ‘patient.’
   15. 15. "Practice of veterinary medicine" means any person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry within the meaning of the Act who, either directly or indirectly, conducts those activities stated in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-7(a). The term "practicing veterinary medicine" does not include those exceptions stated in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-7(b).
   16. 16. "Prescription" means an order from a veterinarian to a pharmacist authorizing the dispensing of a prescription veterinary drug to a client for use on or in a patient.
   17. 17. "Veterinarian" means a person who practices veterinary medicine and is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-25.
   18. 18. “Veterinarian/client/patient relationship” or “VCPR” means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-1(5).
   19. 19. “Veterinary clinic” means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-1(6).
   20. 20. “Veterinary dentistry” means as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-2(7).

14.4 License Requirements

1. A. The unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine is prohibited and is subject to the penalties set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-8.

   1. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 14.4(A) of this Part, excluded from the application of the term "practice of veterinary medicine" are those individuals who under given circumstances are excluded from the provisions of the Act as set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-7(b), and consequently excluded from the licensure requirements of this Part.

14.5 Qualifications for Licensure

1. A. An applicant seeking licensure to practice veterinary medicine in this state must meet the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-10.

2. B. In addition to the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-10, the applicant must:

   1. 1. Conduct themselves in accordance with the “Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA” incorporated by reference in § 14.2(A) of this Part.

   2. 2. Have satisfactorily completed a national veterinary board licensing examination as approved by the Board and as follows:

      1. a. Prior to May 1, 1979, an applicant shall have successfully completed the National Board Examination (NBE) for Veterinary Medicine;

      2. b. Between May 1, 1979 and April 30, 2000, an applicant shall have successfully completed the NBE and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT);

         1. (1) The passing score for the National Board Examination (NBE) for Veterinary Medicine and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT) shall be minus one (-1.0) Standard Deviation of the median score as determined by the testing service for all applicants who were administered the NBE and the CCT prior to December 1, 1992. For applicants administered the NBE and the CCT on and after December 1, 1992, the passing score shall be the criterion referenced passing score, as recommended by the National Board Examination Committee, Standard Setting Committee.
      3. c. After April 30, 2000, an applicant shall have successfully completed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE); The passing score shall be the criterion referenced passing score, as recommended by the National Board Examination Committee, Standard Setting Committee.

      4. d. Applicants may complete other national veterinary board examination(s), including a Clinical Competency Test, as may be approved by the Board. The passing score shall be the criterion referenced passing score, as determined by the national veterinary board administering the examination.

         14.5.2 Licensure by Endorsement

3. A. A license to practice veterinary medicine may be issued without examination to an applicant who has been duly licensed by examination as a veterinarian under the laws of another state or territory or District of Columbia, provided:

   1. 1. The board of veterinary medicine in each state or territory or District of Columbia, in which the applicant has held or holds licensure submits directly to the Board of this state, a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the applicant held licensure in said state or territory or District of Columbia;
   2. 2. The applicant meets the qualifications to practice veterinary medicine in this state in accordance with § 14.5 of this Part; and

   3. 3. The applicant submits the licensure application form with supporting certified documentation of credentials in accordance with § 14.6 of this Part.

      14.5.3 Graduates of Foreign Veterinary Medical Schools

4. A. An applicant seeking licensure to practice veterinary medicine in this state and who is a graduate of a foreign veterinary medical school must meet the qualifications of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-10. In addition to these qualifications, the applicant must:

   1. 1. Conduct themselves in accordance with the “Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA” incorporated by reference in § 14.2(A) of this Part; and,
   2. 2. Have satisfactorily passed the National Board Examination for Veterinary Medicine and the Clinical Competency Test approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or other Board-approved examination as indicated in § 14.5.1(B)(2) of this Part.
5. B. It is within the Department’s discretion to accept a Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) in satisfaction of a certification by the Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) as set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-10(1).

14.5.1 Graduates of Schools Located in the U.S.A. and Canada

14.6 Application for License and Fees

1. A. Application for licensure shall be made on forms provided by the Department and shall be completed and submitted to the Board sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled date of the Board meeting by applicants seeking licensure.

2. B. Such application shall be accompanied by the following documents and fee (non-refundable and non-returnable):

   1. 1. Photographs: a recent identification photograph of the applicant, head and shoulder front view approximately two inches by three inches (2” x 3”) in size;
   2. 2. Verification: the Board of Veterinary Medicine in each state or territory or District of Columbia, in which the applicant has held or holds licensure submitted directly to the Board of this state, a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the applicant held licensure in said state or territory or District of Columbia;

   3. 3. Transcripts

      1. a. For graduates of accredited schools in the U.S. and Canada: supporting certified transcript of education credentials as required in the appropriate section of § 14.5 of this Part, signed by the Dean or Registrar of the school of veterinary medicine, verifying the dates of attendance and completion of the veterinary program. Such documentation must consist of original statements and/or photocopies bearing the signature of the Dean or Registrar and the imprint of the school seal;
      2. b. For graduates of foreign "listed or approved" schools: a letter from the ECFVG attesting to the satisfactory completion of evaluation of credentials and veterinary knowledge.
      3. c. The results of the national veterinary board examination as required by § 14.5.1(B)(2) of this Part must be submitted directly to the Board.
   4. 4. Fees: the application fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) (non-returnable nor non-refundable);
   5. 5. Initial Licensure Fee: the initial licensure fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) made payable to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island; and,
   6. 6. Other: such other information as may be deemed necessary and appropriate by the Board.

14.7 Issuance and Renewal of License and Fee

1. A. Upon completion of the aforementioned requirements and at the recommendation of the Board, qualified applicants which the Department may accept or reject, the Department may issue an initial license to those applicants found to have satisfactorily met all the requirements of this Part and upon submission of an initial licensure fee as set forth in § 14.6(B)(5) of this Part.
2. B. The license issuing and renewal procedures shall be pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-12.

14.8 Continuing Education

1. A. Continuing education requirements for veterinary medicine practice are pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-12(e).
2. B. Veterinarians initially licensed after the first (1st) day of May shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements stated in this Part until the date of the next renewal cycle (i.e., the thirtieth (30th) day of April of the next even numbered year).
3. C. All veterinarians licensed to practice in this state shall maintain evidence that in the preceding two (2) years, they have satisfactorily completed at least twenty-four (24) hours of continuing veterinary medical education courses offered or sponsored by organizations approved by the Board.

4. D. Continuing education programs approved by the Board include those offered or approved by:

   1. 1. Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association or other state veterinary medical association;
   2. 2. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA);
   3. 3. Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE);
   4. 4. American Animal Hospital Association;
   5. 5. Boards of licensure of veterinary medicine in other states; and,
   6. 6. Academic coursework or continuing education programs offered by an approved school of veterinary medicine.
5. E. A maximum of eight (8) hours of the required twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education in a two (2) year period may be non-contact hours (e.g., online courses) or articles such as those in the Veterinary Learning Systems Compendium for continuing education. Contact hours may be earned via in-person programs or live online streamed programs which allow for the audience to participate and ask questions to the presenter(s).
6. F. A maximum of four (4) hours of the required twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education in a two (2) year period may be related to business management. The remaining twenty (20) hours of continuing education in a two (2) year period shall be related to the professional practice of veterinary medicine.
7. G. It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual veterinarian to obtain documentation from the recognized sponsoring or co-sponsoring organizations, agencies or other, of their participation in the learning experience and the number of dated credits earned. Furthermore, it shall be the sole responsibility of the individual to safeguard the documents for review by the Board, if required. These documents shall be retained by each licensee for no less than four (4) years and are subject to random audit by the Department.
8. H. The Department may extend for any one six (6) month period these educational requirements if the Department is satisfied that the applicant has suffered hardship which prevented them from meeting the educational requirements stipulated in this Part.
9. I. Failure to produce satisfactory documentation of completion of the continuing education requirements of this Section, upon request by the Board, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under the provisions of the Act and this Part.

14.9 Denial, Suspension, Revocation of License

1. A. The Department is authorized to deny, revoke or suspend any license issued under the statutory and regulatory provisions of this Part or otherwise discipline a licensee upon proof of the actions stipulated by R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-14.

14.10 Veterinary Practice

1. A. When a practicing veterinarian is not available, they shall provide for referral for emergency veterinary services. Such referral must fulfill the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-13.

   14.10.2 Record of Animals Receiving Veterinary Services

2. A. A veterinarian subject to the provisions of the Act and this Part shall keep a written record in accordance with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-7.1

3. B. In addition to the record keeping requirements set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-7.1, the minimum amount of information which shall be included in written or computerized records and summaries shall include no less than the following:

   1. 1. Client’s name;
   2. 2. Patient’s name;
   3. 3. Patient’s species and breed;
   4. 4. Patient’s age or date of birth;
   5. 5. Patient’s gender and reproductive status;
   6. 6. Patient’s color and/or markings;
   7. 7. Dates(s) of treatment;
   8. 8. Presenting problem;
   9. 9. Pertinent history;
   10. 10. Examination findings;
   11. 11. Assessment; and,
   12. 12. Plan for treatment/care.
4. C. The minimum duration of time for which a licensed veterinarian or their designee shall retain the written or computerized record, including imaging studies regardless of format, shall be no less than five (5) years from the date of the last patient visit or, for deceased patients, no less than three (3) years from the date of death.
5. D. An imaging study, regardless of format, is the property of the veterinary practice in which the veterinarian associated with that practice originally ordered it to be prepared, and it shall be released upon the written request of another veterinarian who has the authorization of the owner of the animal to whom it pertains and such imaging study, regardless of format, shall be returned to the original veterinary practice within a reasonable time.

6. E. When an owner requests in writing that their animal(s)’ records and/or imaging studies, regardless of format, be transferred to another veterinarian, the original veterinarian shall promptly honor such request.

   1. 1. The fee charged for the transfer shall not exceed the direct expense incurred to make copies of such veterinary records and/or imaging study(ies), regardless of format.
7. F. Any veterinarian licensed in the State of Rhode Island who writes a prescription for a patient shall provide a copy of that prescription to the owner of the patient, upon request of the owner, for the purpose of filling the prescription with a licensed pharmacy. Said prescription shall be written in accordance with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 21-31.1 ("Veterinary Drugs").

8. G. Veterinary drugs dispensed by a veterinarian shall comply with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-31.1-8, except for the prescription number.

   14.10.3 Immunity from Liability

9. A. Immunity from liability is in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-17.

   14.10.4 Donation of Veterinary Medications for Use by Nonprofit, State, and Local Facilities

10. A. Pursuant to statutory provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 4-9.1 veterinary medications may be donated to a licensed veterinarian or a facility in which veterinary medicine is practiced if the licensed veterinarian or facility chooses to accept the medication for the purpose of re-dispensing the medication.
11. B. A Rhode Island licensed veterinarian may re-dispense drugs not otherwise prohibited in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-3, upon meeting the conditions stated in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-2(b).

12. C. Drugs that meet the criteria for donation can be re-dispensed under the conditions in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 4-9.1-4(a) and (b). In addition to these conditions, the following conditions must also be met:

    1. 1. A licensed veterinarian shall label the re-dispensed drug in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-19.1-18 and Pharmacists, Pharmacies, and Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Distributors § 15-1.5.17 of this Chapter.
    2. 2. The medication shall be re-dispensed at no charge and the licensed veterinarian or facility shall not sell or resell donated medication pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-6.

13. D. Receipt, Storage, and Record Keeping for Donated Medications

    1. 1. The licensed veterinarian or facility receiving donated medications shall comply with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-7. In addition to the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-7, the licensed veterinarian or facility shall:

       1. a. Inspect and deem that the donated medication has not been tampered with and is properly labeled upon arrival at the practice, clinic, or facility and sign a record of this inspection;
       2. b. Ensure adequate measures are in place to prevent diversion of the donated medication;
       3. c. Maintain a record of the name, strength, and quantity of the donated medication received;
       4. d. Store the donated medication(s) according to manufacturer or USP storage requirements;
       5. e Confirm the donated medication does not have any signs of tampering, misbranding, deterioration, compromised integrity, or adulteration;
       6. f. Receive only donated medications delivered personally to a licensed veterinarian and not delivered in a drop-box;
       7. g. Be responsible for medication recalls for donated medications that were re-dispensed and shall have an established mechanism to notify recipients in the event of a medication recall; and,
       8. h. Have a quarantine area for donated medications that are expired, adulterated, recalled, misbranded, or deteriorated such that these medications are separated from medications to be re-dispensed and shall be destroyed pursuant to Part of this Title, Disposal of Drugs.
    2. 2. If any one of the conditions contained in this Part are not satisfied, the donated medications shall not be re-dispensed and shall be destroyed pursuant to Part of this Title, Disposal of Drugs.
    3. 3. All records in this Section must be maintained for not less than two (2) years and readily retrievable for state and federal inspectors.
14. E. When re-donating any donated drugs, an inventory of all re-donated drugs must be prepared by the donor and acknowledged by the recipient. A copy of the inventory of all drugs being re-donated must accompany the transfer of said drugs. The recipient of the drugs must verify that the received drugs match the inventory. A copy of the inventory must be maintained by both the donor and recipient.
15. F. Donations shall be in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-2(a).
16. G. Any entity receiving donated medications pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 4-9.1, that receives an initial donation of medications may only ‘re-donate’ them to entities described in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-9.1-2(b)(2) in conformity with § 4-9.1-7(b). Any such ‘re-donated’ medications must also comply with requirements set forth in §§ 14.10.4(C) and (D) of this Part.

14.10.1 Emergency Services

14.11 Violations/Sanctions/Practices and Procedures

1. A. Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the Department is authorized to deny, revoke or suspend licenses to any person found to have violated any provisions of this Part, and to impose such other sanction pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-8. The procedure for the discipline of veterinarians shall be in accordance with the provisions set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-15.

   14.11.2 Rules and Regulations Governing Practices and Procedures

2. A. All hearings and reviews required under the provisions of the Act and this Part, shall be held in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-15 and Practices and Procedures Before the Department of Health (Part 10-05-4 of this Title) and Access to Public Records (Part 10-05-1 of this Title).

14.11.1 Violations and Sanctions

14.12 Severability

1. A. If any provision of this Part or the application thereof to any facility or provider or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the provisions or application of this Part which can be given effect, and to this end the provisions of this Part are declared to be severable.