In order to comply with the mission of the Board, the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) shall administer and enforce the provisions of
KRS Chapter 321 and shall have the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications of applicants for licensure and certification. The Board may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with
KRS Chapter 13A and Chapter 321 to carry out their responsibilities.
The Board may conduct hearings and keep records and minutes; may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, pay appropriate witness fees, administer oaths, and investigate allegations of practices violating the provisions of
KRS Chapter 321; may suspend, or revoke licenses or certifications, or impose supervisory or probationary conditions upon licensees or certificate holders, or impose administrative disciplinary fines, issue written reprimands, or any combination thereof; and may seek injunctive relief in Franklin Circuit Court to stop the unlawful practice of veterinary medicine by unlicensed persons.
The KBVE issues licenses, permits, certificates, and registrations for practice and operations in Kentucky:
- Veterinarian - KRS 321.181(67), (50), 321.190 - License to practice veterinary medicine.
- Special Permit - KRS 321.201 - Special permission for graduated Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) to work temporarily in Kentucky while they study for the national board exam or a foreign equivalency program.
- Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) - KRS 321.181(74), (51), 321.190 - License to practice veterinary technology under veterinarian supervision.
- Registered Veterinary Facility - KRS 321.181(71), 321.203, 321.236 - Registration is required for premises, both fixed and mobile, where the practice of veterinary medicine occurs.
- Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Provider - KRS 321.181(1) - Only specific areas of practice on animals is allowable by non-veterinarians. Currently, only Animal Chiropractic Providers (ACPs), KRS 321.181(6) are authorized to apply for an AAHP permit.
- Registered AAHP Facility - KRS 321.181(2), 321.203, 321.236 - Registration is required for premises, both fixed and mobile, where the practice of an AAHP provider occurs.
- Animal Euthanasia Specialist (AES) - KRS 321.207 - Certificate to practice animal euthanasia while employed by a KBVE-certified animal control agency.
- Restricted Controlled Substance Registration Authorization Certificate / Animal Control Agency (ACA) - KRS 321.207 - Certificate authorizing ACAs to apply to DEA for a Controlled Substance Registration.
NOTE: The KBVE is not authorized to license or certify animal control agencies for operation, and does not inspect animal control agencies for compliance with standards of care, nor the animals under the care of the animal control agency. While such standards do exist in KRS 258.119(3)(b), this mandate is outside the KBVE's scope of authority.
The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners is self-supporting and receives no general fund tax appropriation. The KBVE is funded solely through fees associated with the licensing and registration of its professionals and the services the board provides to constituents.