(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) "Board" means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
(c) "Direct supervision" means that a veterinarian licensed and
registered in the State is in the immediate vicinity where veterinary
medicine is being performed and is actively engaged in the supervision
of the practice of veterinary medicine.
(d) "License" means a license to practice veterinary medicine in the
State.
(e) "Member" means a member of the State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners.
(f) "Practice of veterinary medicine" includes, but is not limited to,
the practice by any person who:
(1) Diagnoses, advises, prescribes, or administers a drug, medicine,
biological product, appliance, application, or treatment of any nature,
for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily
injury, or disease of an animal;
(2) Performs a surgical operation, including cosmetic surgery, upon any
animal;
(3) Performs dentistry on any animal;
(4) Performs any manual procedure upon an animal for the diagnosis or
treatment of sterility or infertility of the animal;
(5) Represents himself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine;
(6) Offers, undertakes, or holds himself out as being able to diagnose,
treat, operate, vaccinate, or prescribe for any animal disease, pain,
injury, deformity, or physical condition; or
(7) Uses any words, letters, or titles in connection or under circumstances
as to induce the belief that the person using them is engaged in the
practice of veterinary medicine. This use is prima facie evidence of
the intention to represent himself as engaged in the practice of
veterinary medicine.
(g) The term "practice of veterinary medicine" does not include or
apply to:
(1) Any person practicing veterinary medicine in the performance of civil
or military official duties in the service of the United States or of
the State;
(2) Experimentation and scientific research of biological chemists or
technicians engaged in the study and development of methods and
techniques, directly or indirectly related or applicable to the
problems of the practice of veterinary medicine;
(3) A person who advises with respect to or performs acts which the Board,
by rule or regulation, has prescribed as accepted management practices
in connection with livestock production;
(4) A physician licensed to practice medicine in the State or to his
assistant while engaged in educational research;
(5) A person administering to the ills and injuries of his own animals if
they otherwise comply with all laws, rules and regulations relative to
the use of medicines and biologics;
(6) A farrier or a person actively engaged in the art or profession of
horseshoeing as long as his actions are limited to the art of
horseshoeing only;
(7) Any nurse, attendant, technician, intern, or other employee of a
licensed and registered veterinarian when administering medication or
rendering auxiliary or supporting assistance under the responsible
direct supervision of a licensed and registered veterinarian;
(8) A person who floats (files) equine teeth or removes caps;
(9) A person who scales or cleans animal teeth;
(10) Except as otherwise provided by regulations adopted by the Board, a
veterinary technician when performing the following procedures under
the responsible direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner:
(i) Anesthesia induction by inhalation or intravenous injection if the
veterinary practitioner is able to maintain direct visual contact of
the veterinary technician's performance of the procedure;
(ii) Anesthesia induction by intramuscular injection;
(iii) Application of casts and splints;
(iv) Dental extractions; and
(v) Suturing of existing surgical skin incisions;
(11) A person practicing acupuncture in accordance with the principles of
oriental medical theories if the person:
(i) Is licensed under Title 1A of the Health Occupations Article;
(ii) Is certified as an animal acupuncturist by the Board of Acupuncture;
(iii) Practices only acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion;
(iv) Cooperates and consults with a veterinary practitioner by:
1. Beginning acupuncture treatment on an animal only if the animal has
been seen by a veterinary practitioner within the previous 14 days;
2. Adhering to the terms and conditions of treatment decided by the
veterinary practitioner, including the degree of communication and
collaboration between the veterinary practitioner and the person
practicing acupuncture;
3. Reporting to the veterinary practitioner at the end of treatment or at
monthly intervals, at the discretion of the veterinary practitioner;
and
4. Not working on an animal for which the person has not been
appropriately trained, in accordance with regulations adopted by the
Board of Acupuncture; and
(v) Has successfully completed a specialty training program in animal
acupuncture that:
1. Is approved by the Board of Acupuncture;
2. Is offered by a school holding nationally recognized accreditation;
3. Consists of at least 135 hours; and
4. Enables the person to:
A. Design effective treatments of animals based on traditional acupuncture
theories and principles, including appropriate knowledge of functional
animal anatomy and physiology;
B. Handle and restrain animals to the extent appropriate in the practice
of acupuncture;
C. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of animal diseases and zoonoses that
would require the immediate attention of a veterinary practitioner; and
D. Communicate effectively with a veterinary practitioner; or
(12) A veterinarian licensed in another jurisdiction while consulting with a
veterinary practitioner in this State.
(h) "Veterinarian" means any person who is a graduate of a college of
veterinary medicine.
(i) "Veterinary practitioner" means a licensed and registered
veterinarian engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine.
(j) "Veterinary technician" means a person who is registered with the
Board as a veterinary technician.
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