● Department : The Department of Business and Professional Regulation. ● Immediate supervision or words of similar purport : A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine is on the premises whenever veterinary services are being provided. ● Limited-service veterinary medical practice : Offering or providing veterinary services at any location that has a primary purpose other than that of providing veterinary medical service at a permanent or mobile establishment permitted by the board; provides veterinary medical services for privately owned animals that do not reside at that location; operates for a limited time; and provides limited types of veterinary medical services, including vaccinations or immunizations against disease, preventative procedures for parasitic control, and microchipping. ● Mobile veterinary establishment and mobile clinic : A mobile unit which contains the same treatment facilities as are required of a permanent veterinary establishment or which has entered into a written agreement with another veterinary establishment to provide any required facilities not available in the mobile unit. The terms do not refer to the use of a car, truck, or other motor vehicle by a veterinarian making a house call. ● Patient : Any animal for which the veterinarian practices veterinary medicine. ● Practice of veterinary medicine : Diagnosing the medical condition of animals and prescribing, dispensing, or administering drugs, medicine, appliances, applications, or treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease thereof; performing any manual procedure for the diagnosis of or treatment for pregnancy or fertility or infertility of animals; or representing oneself by the use of titles or words, or undertaking, offering, or holding oneself out, as performing any of these functions. The term includes the determination of the health, fitness, or soundness of an animal. ● Responsible supervision or words of similar purport : The control, direction, and regulation by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine of the duties involving veterinary services which she or he delegates to unlicensed personnel. ● Veterinarian : A health care practitioner who is licensed to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in Florida. ● Veterinarian/client/patient relationship : A relationship where the veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and its need for medical treatment. ● Veterinary medicine : Includes, with respect to animals, surgery, acupuncture, obstetrics, dentistry, physical therapy, radiology, theriogenology, and other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine. Some licensees may be exempt from applying this chapter to their profession. Chapter 474.203 lists 10 categories of licensees who are exempt from Chapter 474. They are primarily faculty, students, and interns practicing or studying in schools. An individual employed by the state or federal government, or hired on a part-time basis, or as a veterinary aide, may be exempt, also. A paramedic or emergency medical technician may provide medical care on an emergency basis to a police canine injured in the line of duty. People and their employees may perform functions such as castrating and dehorning their own herd animals, although they may not immunize or treat their animals for diseases that are communicable to humans or that could
be a public health threat. For details on exemptions, please consult the statute. Prohibitions; Penalties. (s. 474.213) To protect Floridians from fraudulent and deceptive practices, this chapter lists violations and penalties for prohibited acts which are of vital concern to the board. No person shall: (a) Lead the public to believe that such person is licensed as a veterinarian, or is engaged in the licensed practice of veterinary medicine, without such person holding a valid, active license. (b) Use the name or title “veterinarian” when the person has not been licensed. (c) Present as her or his own the license of another. (d) Give false or forged evidence to the board or a member thereof for the purpose of obtaining a license. (e) Use or attempt to use a veterinarian’s license which has been suspended or revoked. (f) Knowingly employ unlicensed persons in the practice of veterinary medicine. (g) Knowingly conceal information relative to violations. (h) Obtain or attempt to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine by fraudulent representation. (i) Practice veterinary medicine in this state, unless the person holds a valid, active license to practice veterinary medicine. (j) Sell or offer to sell a diploma conferring a degree from a veterinary school or college, or a license issued pursuant to this chapter, or procure such diploma or license with the intent that it shall be used as evidence of that which the document stands for by a person other than the one upon whom it was conferred or to whom it was granted. (k) Knowingly operate a veterinary establishment or premises without having a premises permit. A person who violates any provision of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Disciplinary Proceedings (s. 474.214) The disciplinary statutes have not changed since 2000. In addition to the previous prohibited acts mentioned, there are a number of prohibited dealings that impose some type of disciplinary action. For the complete list of disciplinary proceedings, please consult the statute. Several activities warranting disciplinary measures are as follows: ● Attempting to procure a license to practice veterinary medicine by bribery, by fraudulent representations, or through an error of the department or the board. ● Having a license or the authority to practice veterinary medicine revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure. ● Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of veterinary medicine or the ability to practice veterinary medicine. Any crime which demonstrates a lack of regard for animal life relates to the ability to practice veterinary medicine. In addition, crimes relating to the ability to practice veterinary medicine shall include, but not be limited to, crimes involving any violation of state or federal drug laws. ● Failing to maintain accurate records or reports as required. ● Making or filing a report or record which the licensee knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a report or record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding or obstructing such filing, or inducing another person to impede or obstruct such filing.
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