Licensing Requirement
- No person shall practice veterinary medicine and surgery without a valid and existing license.
Definition of Practice
- A person is practicing veterinary medicine if he/she:
- Uses titles/initials such as V.S., D.V.M., V.M.D., M.D.C., or D.V.S., or terms implying veterinary qualifications.
- Treats, operates, or prescribes for domestic animals for compensation.
- The Act does not apply to commissioned veterinarians in the U.S. or Philippine Army.
Accredited Veterinary Schools
- Must be approved by the Department of Education.
- Requires admission of students with a four-year high school education from accredited institutions.
- Requires a five-year veterinary medicine curriculum covering key veterinary subjects such as anatomy, pathology, bacteriology, parasitology, therapeutics, surgery, and others.
Qualifications for License
- Applicants must be:
- At least 21 years old.
- Of good moral character and temperate habits.
- Graduated from an accredited high school.
- Graduated from an accredited veterinary college.
- Passed the Veterinary Examining Board examination.
- A Philippine citizen or declared intention to become one, with filed petition for naturalization.
Application Procedure
- Applications must be filed with the Veterinary Examining Board.
- Must include sworn proof of qualifications and examination fee.
Veterinary Examining Board Composition
- Composed of three reputable veterinarians appointed by the President upon the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ recommendation.
Board Duties and Powers
- Verify authenticity of applications and diplomas.
- Conduct examinations and issue licenses to successful applicants.
- May refuse, suspend, or revoke licenses for causes such as fraud, criminal conviction involving moral turpitude, substance abuse, association with illegal practitioners, violation of the Act, fraud in testing, false advertising, or failure to report contagious diseases.
Board Term and Vacancy
- Members serve three years with staggered terms.
- Vacancies filled by ad interim appointments for remaining terms.
Removal of Board Members
- The President can dismiss members for unprofessional conduct, inefficiency, dereliction of duty, or just cause.
Board Officers and Compensation
- Officers (President and Secretary) elected annually among members.
- Members receive ten pesos per examinee.
Record-keeping
- Secretary maintains minutes and registration book showing licensure details.
- Copies of records furnished to Bureau of Civil Service.
Examination Schedule and Subjects
- Held at least once a year, if there is a candidate.
- Subjects include anatomy, physiology, pathology, parasitology, materia medica, therapeutics, bacteriology, medicine, surgery, and zootechnics.
- Examination details published in newspapers at least one week prior.
Fees
- Examination: 30 pesos
- License: 10 pesos
- Certified statement of licensure: 10 pesos
- Duplicate license: 10 pesos
- No fee for second examination within 12 months if first failed.
- Examination fee returned if withdrawn before exam starts.
Reciprocity with Other Countries
- Licenses may be recognized or exchanged on an equal standard that meets or exceeds this Act’s requirement.
Penalties
- Practicing without license or violating the Act is a misdemeanor.
- Punishable by a fine of 100 to 200 pesos, or imprisonment of 30 days to 6 months, or both per offense.
- Provincial or City Fiscals must prosecute offenses upon proper complaint.
- Fines collected are paid to the local treasury.
Forgery of Educational Credentials
- Filing or attempting to file forged or another person’s diploma is punishable under forgery laws.
Supremacy Clause
- This Act takes precedence over all prior laws and regulations relating to veterinary practice.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect upon its approval on June 18, 1949.