§ 40-69-270 — Licensing requirement; exceptions.

(A) A person may not engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in this State without a current and valid license issued by the board pursuant to this chapter. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit: (1) a person who is a regular student, technician, or instructor in a legally chartered educational institution from the performance of those duties and actions conducted as a responsibility in teaching and research or a veterinary student preceptee working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian during a school vacation period or in a preceptorship program; (2) a veterinarian holding a current and valid license in another state from acting as a consultant with a licensed veterinarian of this State; (3) a veterinarian who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or who is an employee of the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Public Health Service, or other federal agencies or the State of South Carolina or political subdivisions of this State from performing official duties in accordance with employment; (4) a person or a regular employee from administering to the person's own animals, except when the ownership is so vested for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this chapter or except when the employee is so employed for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this chapter; however, the administration to the animals must be in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws; (5) state or federal agencies, accredited schools, research institutions, foundations, corporations, or employees of these, which or who conduct experiments and scientific research using animals, if the research or testing is performed in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws; (6) a person from performing artificial insemination to animals; (7) initiation of prescribed emergency procedures in life threatening situations by a veterinary technician employed by a licensed veterinarian; (8) a merchant from selling, at a regular place of business, medicines, feed, appliances, or other animal health products if all sales are done in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board. (B) Nothing in this chapter limits or affects the practice of a person who is licensed in this State and who is acting within the scope of another licensed practice or profession. (C) Nothing in this chapter affects the practice of qualified persons to whom a licensed veterinarian has delegated the performance of procedures, therapeutic options, and alternate therapies. The delegating veterinarian must verify the qualifications of these persons and their competencies before delegation. The delegating veterinarian remains responsible for the general care of the patient.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 294, SECTION 1. Editor's Note Prior Laws:1920 (31) 905; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 2472; 1932 Code SECTION 5251; 1942 Code SECTION 5251; 1952 Code SECTION 56-1552; 1962 Code SECTION 56-1558; 1974 (58) 2769; 1981 Act No. 174, SECTION 4; 1984 Act No. 457; 1994 Act No. 306, SECTION 2; 1976 Code SECTION 40-69-80.