2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 97 - Board of Examiners of Veterinary Medicine (§§ 2951 — 2969) › § 2956 - Board—Powers and duties

The Board shall have the power and duty to:
(a) Examine and evaluate the moral and academic qualifications of each revalidation examination applicant, leading to obtaining a license to practice veterinary medicine in Puerto Rico, including personal interviews with applicants.
(b) Issue, renew, deny, suspend and revoke permanent or provisional licenses for the practice of veterinary medicine in Puerto Rico, as well as taking disciplinary measures with regard to the holders of said licenses that are consistent with this chapter and the regulations promulgated hereunder. It is further provided that, in conjunction with the Subboard, it shall issue licenses for veterinary technologists and technicians.
(c) Hold hearings with regard to any pertinent matter before it; take oaths, receive evidence, make pertinent decisions and issue orders consistent with said decisions. The Board may summon witnesses, require the submission of documentary evidence and authorize the taking of de positions. If a summons issued by the Board is disobeyed, the Board may appear before the Court of First Instance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and plead that the summons be complied with. The Court of First Instance may issue orders making the appearance of witnesses or the filing of documents previously required by the Board compulsory; as the case may be, and shall have the power to punish any disobedience of the orders as contempt of court.
(d) Adopt, amend or revoke such rules, regulations, orders, resolutions or determinations as are necessary to comply with this chapter.
(e) Draft and approve bylaws for its internal operations.
(f) Adopt, possess and use an official seal which it may alter at will and shall stamp on all licenses and certifications it issues as a sign of the authenticity thereof.
(g) Sue and be sued as a juridical person.
(h) Grant and execute all documents that are necessary or convenient in the exercise of its prerogatives and powers.
(i) Investigate and hold hearings related to the illegal practice of Veterinary Medicine by persons without a license. Provided, That, to such effects, the provisions of § 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Procedures Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”, shall govern. The Office for the Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals shall provide the necessary resources to carry out the investigations and hearings to such effect.
(j) Establish by regulations the requirements and procedures for the recertification of the doctors of veterinary medicine every three (3) years, as required in §§ 3001 et seq. of Title 24.
(k) Draft and promulgate regulations to establish mechanisms through which to allow a person who is not a licensed veterinarian to perform consultations or procedures on animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(l) The Board shall comply with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act of Puerto Rico”, when executing its powers and adjudicating matters within its jurisdiction, inherence and concern.
(m) Remit to the Governor, through the Secretary of Health, an annual report of its work in which the number of applicants for the revalidation examination, the number of licenses issued, suspended, or revoked with the reasons for said suspensions and revocations, and on the recertification of the licensed veterinary doctors, among other items, is stated.
(n) To arrange and fix by regulations the amount of the membership fees, tariffs, duties and other items to be received as collected for: applications for the revalidation examination, information handbooks, revalidation examination, re examinations, certifications and re certifications of licenses and other official functions of the Board; Provided, That the Board through regulations may alter or modify said fees to adjust them prudently as may be expedient at the time.
(o) Draft and promulgate regulations on the functions and responsibilities of all support personnel of veterinarians, including but not limited to veterinarian technologists and veterinarian technicians. Provided, That such functions and tasks will not include diagnosis, prognosis, prescription, or surgery.
History —Aug. 4, 1979, No. 194, p. 549, § 6; Dec. 28, 2001, No. 187, § 6; June 22, 2002, No. 91, § 1.