The "Frequently Asked Questions" page was designed to give information "at a glance". The laws (Veterinary Licensing Act) and rules are very specific and should also be consulted. The Board and the State of Texas make no warranty as to the completeness, reliability or fitness for a particular use of the information on this web site. The user assumes all liability and waives any and all claims or causes of action against the Board and the State of Texas for all uses of, and any reliance on, this information. This paragraph shall accompany all distributions of this information and is incorporated into this information for all purposes.
- Can I hold an animal if the owner has not paid the bill?
- Do you have to be a veterinarian to put a microchip in an animal?
- Cost of medication - is there a markup limit?
- Can a veterinarian refuse to write a prescription for a client/patient?
- What type of national examinations does Texas require?
- I have to make out a check for a board order, to whom is it payable?
- Can I use my credit card to pay for my administrative penalty?
- Are animal clinics or veterinary hospitals required to be licensed?
- How do I properly dispose of chemicals, animal remains, etc…?
- Do I need a permit to utilize controlled substances?
- How do I dispose of expired/outdated controlled substances?
- Does a veterinarian need to display his/her DEA or DPS controlled substances registration certificate?
- Is the use of a signature stamp still acceptable on the rabies vaccination certificate?
- Does Texas offer a temporary license?
- What is the time period during which I have to earn my continuing education (CE) credits?
- How many hours of Continuing Education do I need each year?
- Continuing Education requirements at a glance.
- I am currently leaving my position and going to a new practice, how do I notify the board of this change?
- When is the licensing verification database on the web site updated?
- For how many years do I need to keep patient records?
- What is the length of time for maintaining rabies vaccination records?
- I am USDA accredited in another state. Whom do I contact to get my USDA accreditation transferred?
- Can I fax or mail in my complaint?
- How do I get a copy of my license or annual renewal certificate?
- What are the different license statuses and what do they mean?
- When is my renewal due?
- Is there a grace period during which I can practice without a license in this State?
- Does a veterinarian need to display his/her original license and current year renewal certificate?
- How do I change my address?
- Vaccinations Clinic Notification
- Name Changes
- What is the amount I have to pay for my annual license renewal?
- It is time to renew my license and I also owe an administrative penalty. What do I pay first?
- How do I obtain a Texas Veterinary Medical License?
Answers:
- Can I hold an animal if the owner has not paid the bill?
(Small/Household Animals)
The Attorney General states in Opinion JC 0421 page 3 bottom paragraph: "...a veterinarian, in the usual circumstances, at most holds an equitable lien on the animal for those services. Because an equitable lien is not possessory, a veterinarian may not refuse to return the animal to the owner merely because the owner is unwilling or unable to pay for the medical services rendered. ..."
Please select the link to the Attorney General's Opinion for further details.
(Large Animals)
Senate Bill 1806 (SB1806) which was passed during the 81st Legislative Session amended the Property Code by providing for a lien on a large animal for veterinary care charges. A licensed veterinarian has a lien on a large animal and the proceeds from the disposition of the large animal to secure the cost of veterinary care the veterinarian provided to the large animal. A lien provided for under the Property Code, Chapter 70, Subchapter A, Section 70.010 attaches on the 20th day after the date care is first provided to the large animal regardless of whether the veterinarian retains possession of the large animal or not.
Please select the link to SB1806 for further details. - Do you have to be a veterinarian to put a microchip in an animal?
Microchipping an animal is not considered the practice of veterinary medicine, therefore you do not have to be a veterinarian to microchip an animal.
- Cost of medication - is there a markup limit?
Cost is not regulated in the State of Texas.
- Can a veterinarian refuse to write a prescription for a client/patient?
There is no requirement in Texas law for a veterinarian to write prescriptions. Veterinarians are among the few professionals that maintain their own drug and medication inventories. This does give some clients concern, but we do not have the authority to change the practice. We are aware of the AVMA's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics that encourages the writing of prescriptions upon request, but these are guidelines only and the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners cannot enforce them. Some veterinarians are willing to negotiate prices for medications to compete with lower cost pharmacies.
- What type of national examinations does Texas require?
In order to meet Texas' prerequisites to be eligible to apply for any Texas veterinary medical license, you must have taken and passed BOTH "old" national examinations, the NBE and CCT, OR the new national examination, the NAVLE. Please note that Texas supports the NBVME (National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners) policy to limit retakes. For details on the policy, visit www.nbvme.org.
- I have to make out a check for a board order, to whom is it payable?
Texas Board Veterinary Medical Examiners
- Can I use my credit card to pay for my administrative penalty?
Checks or money orders made payable to The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners are the only acceptable form of payment for an administrative penalty.
- Are animal clinics or veterinary hospitals required to be licensed?
In Texas, facilities do not need to be licensed.
Only individuals must hold a license to practice veterinary medicine.
- How do I properly dispose of chemicals, animal remains, etc…?
- Do I need a permit to utilize controlled substances?
Yes, you do need a permit to utilize controlled substances. The Board has seen an increasing number of licensees who were unaware that they are required to obtain a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Controlled Substances Registration prior to utilizing controlled substances. Many had confused the requirements with those for a DEA Controlled Substances Registration. These are actually two different registrations and a licensee may be required to have one or both.
- How do I dispose of expired/outdated controlled substances?
Contact DEA (713) 693-3000 and ask for the names of the "Reverse Distributor Registrants".
- Does a veterinarian need to display his/her DEA or DPS controlled substances registration certificate?
A veterinarian does not need to display their DEA or DPS controlled substance registration certificate. But it must be available for inspection or review by The Texas Veterinary Board of Medical Examiners or law enforcement personnel.
- Is the use of a signature stamp still acceptable on the rabies vaccination certificate?
A veterinarian's signature stamp is acceptable when used by a non-licensed person, but ONLY under DIRECT supervision by the vaccinating veterinarian. The veterinarian's license number must be placed on the certificate.
- Does Texas offer a temporary license!
No, but we offer a provisional license which is a temporary situation. You cannot apply for a regular license and then for a provisional license. The provisional license comes first, as you "build" on it. You should only ask for a provisional license if there is no way for you to apply for the regular license and meet all of the deadlines. The provisional license was created to bridge the gap between exams. Once one holds a provisional license, the person is signed up for the next available regular license exam to be determined by staff, and the provisional license holder is required to take said regular license exam. To obtain a provisional license application packet, please contact our office and request this packet. It is not available from our web site.
- What is the time period during which I have to earn my continuing education (CE) credits?
CE must be earned during the calendar year just prior to renewal. Some exceptions exist.
- How many hours of Continuing Education do I need each year?
You need a total of 17 hours of Continuing Education each year. If you attain more than the required 17 hours in a given year, you may carry-over a maximum of 17 hours to be applied toward the following year's requirements. E.g. if you earn 34 hours in calendar year (Jan 1 through Dec 31) 2006. You have enough hours for your 2007 AND your 2008 renewal. However, you must earn 17 hours during 2008 for your 2009 renewal.
- Continuing Education requirements at a glance.
Out of the 17 required hours to be earned annually, at least 7 must be earned via live seminars and actual attendance. Up to 10 hours may be earned on-line, as long as the on-line venue is: interactive, participatory and monitored, and you are issued a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the participation. You may earn up to 5 hours annually in the correspondence category (see rule 573.64 for definition) and up to 3 hours annually in the self-study category (see rule 573.64 for definition).
- I am currently leaving my position and going to a new practice, how do I notify the board of this change?
According to the laws and rules, you must submit a change of address within 60 days of the occurrence. You may submit your address change via mail, e-mail or fax. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners main web page, at the bottom, contains all of the contact information. Changes are not taken over the phone. During the renewal of your license (between January 1 and March 1) you may change your information on-line via the renewal process. After you have renewed your license, you must submit an address change as described above.
- When is the licensing verification database on the web site updated?
The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners web site is updated daily at approximately 6AM, which includes all updates and changes made until the end of the previous business day. If you are trying to verify a licensee's status and it is unclear to you if this person has renewed, please call our main line (512) 305-7555 for a current license verification.
- For how many years do I need to keep patient records?
A veterinarian needs to keep patient records for five (5) years, this includes x-rays. If the patient is deceased, records must be kept for five (5) years after date of death.
Rule 573.52(b) - Patient Record Keeping paragraph section (b)
- What is the length of time for maintaining rabies vaccination records?
5 years. Please be sure to read the rule carefully, as it also addresses copies of those records.
- I am USDA accredited in another state. Whom do I contact to get my USDA accreditation transferred?
Please contact the USDA office in Austin, Texas, (512)383-2425 for details as to the transfer of your accreditation or attaining a new accreditation.
- Can I fax or mail in my complaint?
All complaints must be submitted on the official complaint form. We will accept complaint forms that are:
a. Mailed to: Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
b. Faxed to: (512) 305-7556
c. Emailed to: vet.board@tbvme.state.tx.us - How do I get a copy of my license or annual renewal certificate?
For a duplicate LICENSE: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners does not keep the original or a copy of your license or the renewal certificate. You have the only original, there is no copy on file in this office. If your license was lost or destroyed, you need to submit a signed, notarized statement, giving details with dates. Submit this document with a $40 fee, and we will order a duplicate license from our calligrapher. If you are changing your name and have a legal name change document, i.e. divorce decree, name change through the courts, etc. please submit a copy of this document, RETURN the ORIGINAL license issued in the other name and the $40 fee.
For a duplicate RENEWAL CERTIFICATE: You have the only original. We do not have a copy of your annual renewal certificate. However, you may request a duplicate at no charge. Please fax, e-mail or mail your request, and we will issue a duplicate renewal certificate. We do not automatically issue a duplicate when you change your address. If you would like to receive a duplicate, please submit this request with your address change.
- What are the different license statuses and what do they mean?
There are 3 license status: Active, Inactive and Retired.
- Active license: You pay the active fee (may change annually) and you may practice in Texas. The license must be renewed annually or it is subject to cancellation as required by law.
- Inactive license: You pay the inactive fee, which is a reduced fee. You CANNOT practice with an inactive license, unless it's on your own animals. This license must be renewed annually or it is subject to cancellation as required by law.
- Retired license: You do not have to pay a fee. During the first year of retired status, you have the option to reactivate this license before the end of that year. After that time, it is considered permanently retired and can only be regained by petitioning the board, plus taking and passing licensing examinations, which may include the national examination.
- When is my renewal due?
Renewals are due annually, unless it's in a retired status, between January 1 and March 1. We do encourage on-line renewals. If you do not renew your license before March 1st, YOU MUST CEASE THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Renewals after March 1st will be assessed a statutorily required late fee. Continued practice with a "delinquent" or "expired" license is illegal and action against your license can be taken.
- Is there a grace period during which I can practice without a license in this State?
There is no grace period in which you can practice veterinary medicine without an active license.
- Does a veterinarian need to display his/her original license and current year renewal certificate?
Each veterinarian, including a relief veterinarian, shall post or display at the veterinarian's practice location, whether mobile or fixed, his or her license to practice veterinary medicine and the most recent license renewal certificate. These documents must be displayed where they are visible to the public. A legible photocopy of the original documents is acceptable.
- How do I change my address?
You can use the attached form to submit your change via mail or fax (512) 305-7556 or attach the completed form and email it to: vet.board@tbvme.state.tx.us. Provide your first, middle and last name along with your license number for accurate identification.
- Vaccinations Clinic Notification
Please use the attached form or make your own using the required fields. It MUST be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the start of the vaccination clinic.
- Name Changes
Please use the attached form to make your change. You MUST submit a copy of the legal document which changes your name, i.e. marriage certificate, divorce decree or other legal name change document. This only changes your name on your records with us. You will also need to contact entities with whom you currently associate, including, but not limited to: DEA, DPS, USDA, any associations, veterinary supply companies, etc. to inform them of your new name. As most organizations will call us to check if you are currently licensed, it is a good idea to first change it with us. If you wish to attain a duplicate license with your new name, please refer to the FAQ giving details regarding this particular action.
- What is the amount I have to pay for my annual license renewal?
Please refer to rule 577.15
- It is time to renew my license and I also owe an administrative penalty. What do I pay first?
Please refer to rule 571.57
- How do I obtain a Texas Veterinary Medical License
You must earn a Texas veterinary medical license by taking and passing the State Board Examination. There are no exceptions and YOU CANNOT PRACTICE VETERINARY MEDICINE IN TEXAS WITHOUT A LICENSE. The application packet is available for downloading from our web site at www.tbvme.state.tx.us. On the main page, click on "License Information". On that page, scroll down and click on "State Board Exam". ALL material must be submitted on or before the deadline for the exam of your choice. We only accept applications for the immediate exam. For example: if you wish to take the October exam, you must submit all material by no later than the deadline for the October exam. Should you desire to take a different exam, you must wait until after the deadline for the previous exam, but all material must be submitted by the deadline for the exam of your choice. All material must be mailed and cannot be submitted electronically. Under the "Calendar" tab on our main page, you will find a listing of examination dates and deadlines.