### Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 《獸醫註冊條例》

5. Functions of the Board
The Board shall—
(a) establish and maintain a register of registered veterinary surgeons;
(b) set and review the qualification standards for registration as a registered veterinary surgeon and related registration matters;
(c) advise the Government on registration matters;
(d) examine and verify the qualifications of persons who apply for registration as registered veterinary surgeons;
(e) receive, examine, accept or reject applications for registration and renewal of registration as a registered veterinary surgeon;
(f) deal with disciplinary offences;
(g) keep proper records of its proceedings;
(h) lodge with the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, qualification standards established from time to time under paragraph (b); and (Amended 78 of 1999 s. 7; L.N. 106 of 2002; L.N. 130 of 2007; L.N. 144 of 2022)
(i) carry out such other functions as this Ordinance may prescribe.

6. Powers of the Board
The Board may—
(a) create, and appoint members of, committees to advise the Board on the carrying out of the powers and functions of the Board;
(b) issue a Code of Practice and make rules for the professional conduct and discipline of registered veterinary surgeons;
(c) make such further rules as may be required by, or by virtue of, this Ordinance.

7. Appointment of Secretary and Legal Adviser
(1) There shall be—
(a) a Secretary; and
(b) a Legal Adviser,

to the Board who shall be appointed by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology. (Amended 78 of 1999 s. 7; L.N. 106 of 2002; L.N. 130 of 2007; L.N. 144 of 2022)
(2) The Secretary shall be responsible for the custody of the register and shall serve as secretary to the registration committee and any inquiry committee as well as the Board.
(3) The Legal Adviser shall advise an inquiry committee on any points of law and procedure that arise before, during or after the inquiry.

8. Form of register
(1) The Secretary shall, in accordance with the directions of the Board, keep a register containing the names, addresses and any other details that the Board may direct of all persons who have been registered and the qualification on which their registration is based.
(2) The register shall be available to any person for inspection free of charge at an office nominated from time to time by the Board at such reasonable times as the Board may direct.
(3) A person whose name is entered in the register shall within 28 days notify the Secretary of any change in the details mentioned in subsection (1).

### Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 《獸醫註冊條例》

9. Qualifications for registration
(1) The Board shall not register a person as a registered veterinary surgeon unless—
(a) he has passed such examinations in veterinary surgery and other related subjects and has received such training and experience as the Board may accept, either generally or in a particular case;
(b) he is not the subject of a disciplinary order under Part 4 which precludes him from being registered under this Ordinance;
(c) he satisfies the Board that he is competent to practise as a veterinary surgeon; and
(d) he is a fit and proper person to be registered.
(2) Without affecting the generality of subsection (1)(d), the Board may refuse to register a person as a registered veterinary surgeon who—
(a) has been convicted in Hong Kong or elsewhere of any offence which may bring the profession into disrepute; or
(b) has committed misconduct or neglect in a professional respect.
(3) Where the Board registers a person as a registered veterinary surgeon and the Board later has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is not competent to practise veterinary surgery, it may refer the matter to an inquiry committee which must deal with it as if it were a complaint under section 18(1A). (Amended 6 of 2015 s. 9)
(Amended E.R. 2 of 2012)

10. Application for registration
(1) A person shall apply for registration as a registered veterinary surgeon in such form and manner as the Board may determine.
(2) An applicant shall pay at the time of lodging his application the prescribed fee for an application for registration.
(3) The Board may require an applicant to undertake an examination under section 9(1)(a) of his knowledge of veterinary surgery and other related subjects.

11. Acceptance or refusal of registration
(1) The Board may accept or reject an application for registration or renewal of registration under this Ordinance.
(2) Where the Board accepts or rejects an application for registration or renewal of registration, the Secretary shall act in accordance with rules made by the Board.
(3) Where the Board rejects an application for registration or renewal of registration, it shall give to the applicant an adequate statement of the reasons for the rejection.

### Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 《獸醫註冊條例》

12. Practising certificates
(1) Subject to the payment of the prescribed fee the Secretary shall, on application made to him in that behalf issue to a registered veterinary surgeon a certificate, in a form determined by the Board, to the effect that he is, subject to any conditions and restrictions specified in the certificate, entitled to practise in Hong Kong.
(2) Where a practising certificate is issued pursuant to an application made during the course of a year in respect of that year, the certificate shall, subject to section 15(5), be in force from the time of its issue until the end of that year.
(3) Where a practising certificate is issued pursuant to an application made during the course of a year in respect of the following year, the certificate shall, subject to section 15(5), be in force for a period of 12 months commencing on 1 January in that following year.
(4) A registered veterinary surgeon shall, not earlier than 3 months prior to the expiry of the current practising certificate, apply to the Secretary for renewal of his practising certificate in a form determined by the Board.
(5) A registered veterinary surgeon shall pay the prescribed fee for an application for renewal of his practising certificate at the time of applying for such renewal.
(6) If a registered veterinary surgeon does not apply for renewal of his practising certificate before the expiry of his current practising certificate the Secretary shall, on the expiry of the current practising certificate, note in the register that the certificate has not been renewed.
(7) Where a registered veterinary surgeon fails to renew his practising certificate within time, the Board may extend the time for renewal if he pays to the Board the prescribed fee for the extension of time.

13. Registration committee
(1) The Board may appoint a registration committee of not less than 3 of its members to consider the qualifications of applicants.
(2) The Secretary may nominate a person who is not a member of the Board to be a member of the registration committee, and, if a person is so nominated, the Board shall appoint him to the committee.
(3) The registration committee shall make recommendations to the Board on the acceptability of the qualifications which require the Board’s acceptance under section 9(1)(a).
(4) The Board shall not be bound by a recommendation of the registration committee under subsection (3).
(5) The Board may delegate any of its functions relating to registration and renewal of registration to the registration committee.

14. Certificate of registration
The Secretary may, on payment by a registered veterinary surgeon of the prescribed fee, issue to him a certificate of registration in a form determined by the Board.