Virginia Administrative Code › Title 18 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING › Agency 150 - BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE › Chapter 20 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE › Part III - Unprofessional Conduct › Section 18VAC150-20-140 - Unprofessional conduct

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
Unprofessional conduct as referenced in subdivision 5 of
					 §
										54.1-3807 of the Code of
					 Virginia shall include the following:
1. Representing conflicting interests except
				  by express consent of all concerned given after a full disclosure of the facts.
				  Acceptance of a fee from both the buyer and the seller is prima facie evidence
				  of a conflict of interest.
2.
				  Practicing veterinary medicine or equine dentistry where an unlicensed person
				  has the authority to control the professional judgment of the licensed
				  veterinarian or the equine dental technician.
3. Issuing a certificate of health unless he
				  shall know of his own knowledge by actual inspection and appropriate tests of
				  the animals that the animals meet the requirements for the issuance of such
				  certificate on the day issued.
4.
				  Revealing confidences gained in the course of providing veterinary services to
				  a client, unless required by law or necessary to protect the health, safety, or
				  welfare of other persons or animals.
5. Advertising in a manner that is false,
				  deceptive, or misleading or that makes subjective claims of
				  superiority.
6. Violating any state
				  law, federal law, or board regulation pertaining to the practice of veterinary
				  medicine, veterinary technology or equine dentistry.
7. Practicing veterinary medicine or as an
				  equine dental technician in such a manner as to endanger the health and welfare
				  of his patients or the public, or being unable to practice veterinary medicine
				  or as an equine dental technician with reasonable skill and safety.
8. Performing surgery on animals in an
				  unregistered veterinary establishment or not in accordance with the
				  establishment registration or with accepted standards of practice.
9. Refusing the board or its agent the right
				  to inspect an establishment at reasonable hours.
10. Allowing unlicensed persons to perform
				  acts restricted to the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology,
				  or an equine dental technician including any invasive procedure on a patient or
				  delegation of tasks to persons who are not properly trained or authorized to
				  perform such tasks.
11. Failing to
				  provide immediate supervision to a licensed veterinary technician or an
				  assistant in his employ.
12.
				  Refusing to release a copy of a valid prescription upon request from an owner,
				  unless there are medical reasons documented in the patient record and the
				  veterinarian would not dispense the medication from his own practice.
13. Misrepresenting or falsifying information
				  on an application or renewal form.
14. Failing to report suspected animal
				  cruelty to the appropriate authorities.
15. Failing to release a copy of patient
				  records when requested by the owner; a law-enforcement entity; or a federal,
				  state, or local health regulatory agency.
16. Committing an act constituting fraud,
				  deceit, or misrepresentation in dealing with the board or in the
				  veterinarian-owner-patient relationship, or with the public.
17. Representing oneself as a "specialist"
				  without meeting the definition set forth in
				  18VAC150-20-10 or using the words
				  "specialist" or "specialty" in the name of a veterinary establishment unless
				  there is a veterinarian on staff who meets the definition of a
				  "specialist."
18. Failure to submit
				  evidence of correction resulting from a violation noted in an inspection or
				  reported by another agency within 14 days, unless an extension is granted by
				  the board.
Statutory Authority: §
												54.1-2400 of the Code of
						Virginia.