Qualification Requirements for Temporary Permits

(1) The Board may grant a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine in the Commonwealth for a period of six months. (a) A candidate to whom the Board issues a temporary permit may only practice under the supervision and control of a licensed veterinarian in the Commonwealth as defined in 256 CMR 4.01(1)(b). (b) A "licensed veterinarian" is one who has been licensed for a minimum of four years from the date of the application for a temporary permit and shall be in "good standing" with the Board. Should a pending investigation or disciplinary matter be under review of the Board, the verification of "good standing" shall be determined by the Board on a case by case basis. (c) In the event of a state of emergency as declared by the state or federal government, or an animal health or sheltering crisis which has or will occur due to action by state or federal law enforcement agencies or as declared by the Board, the Board shall waive the requirement to obtain a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine in the Commonwealth to any veterinarian licensed in another recognized jurisdiction and employed by or associated with a charitable organization or a government entity for the sole purpose of responding to the emergency or crisis. The veterinarian described in 256 CMR 4.01(1)(c) shall be subject to all laws and regulations of the Commonwealth, and may not practice veterinary medicine for any other purpose (2) Graduates of Board approved veterinary schools who have not attained a passing score on a Board approved veterinary examination are not eligible for a temporary permit. (3) An international veterinary graduate shall be eligible for a temporary permit if the following requirements are met: (a) the candidate has achieved a passing score in a Board approved veterinary examination; (b) the candidate is within six months of completing a Board approved international veterinary graduate program; (c) the candidate has passed the Massachusetts Jurisprudence Examination; and (d) while practicing under a temporary permit, the candidate does not obtain a passing score in a Board approved international veterinary graduate examination, then the Board shall rescind the temporary permit. (4) A Veterinarian with a Temporary Permit is not allowed to work unsupervised until proof of valid and current Massachusetts licensure is in his or her possession. It is the sole responsibility of the individual holding the Temporary Permit to ensure that all requirements for full licensure are met. Substantiated evidence of any veterinarian on a Temporary Permit working unsupervised may result in discipline against the supervising licensee and denial of licensure for the Temporary Permit holder. (MA REG. # 1339, Dated 5-19-17) 256 CMR: BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN VETERINARY MEDICINE