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North Carolina Veterinarian License Defense Lawyer

North State Law helps North Carolina Veterinarians when facing licensing issues such as revocation, suspension, or disciplinary action from the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board.

The state of North Carolina is very agriculturally rich, so the practice of overseeing the health of animals and livestock is essential.

If you’re a Licensed North Carolina Veterinarian and you’re facing licensing troubles such as revocation, suspension, or disciplinary action, Nick Dowgul of North State Law Firm can help you protect your license.

Nick Dowgul has focused his career on helping licensed North Carolina professionals, including Veterinarians, when facing issues that may jeopardize their good standing.

Dowgul holds a professional license himself, so he understands that a valid professional license means being able to provide for those you love and continuing in a career you worked so hard to obtain.

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board

In North Carolina, General Statute Chapter 90 Article 11 is the legislative document that guides the licensing of Veterinarians in the state. In 1973, this document was named the “North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act” and holds that name today.

The North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act establishes the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board as the entity that regulates licensing and practice.

The Board consists of eight members. Five of the members are appointed by the Governor. Four Governor selected members must be Licensed North Carolina Veterinarians and state residents. The fifth Governor appointed member is not licensed and represents the public’s interest.

Of the three remaining members, the General Assembly appoints two by recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the NC Senate and the NC Speaker of the House of Representatives. Those recommended must also hold a Veterinarian’s License in the state.

The Commissioner of Agriculture appoints the final member of the Board with the requirement of holding an NC Veterinarian’s License.

All members who are required to have a Veterinarian’s License must have been a resident of North Carolina and held the license for not less than five years.

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board’s powers include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Examing and determining the fitness and qualifications of license applicants
  • Issuing, renewing, denying, suspending, or disciplining any type of veterinarian license holder within the state
  • Conduct Investigations to discover violations of the North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act
  • Inspection of any hospitals, clinics, mobile units, or other facilities used by licensed veterinarians

For a complete list of powers granted to the North Carolina Veterinarian Medical Board, view NC GS 90-185 General Powers of the Board and NC GS 90-186 Special Powers of the Board.

Additionally, Title 21, Chapter 66 of the North Carolina Administrative Code addresses the rules and ethics that Licensed Veterinarians must follow to stay in good standing.

What Actions Taken By A Licensed NC Veterinarian Will Result in Disciplinary Action, License Suspension, License Revocation, or Civil Penalty?

NC GS 90-187.8 (b) (Discipline of Licensees) and Title 21 NCAC 66 .0205 (Mandatory Standards of Conduct) address actions that will result in the discipline of licensed veterinarians in the state.

Additionally, Title 21, NCAC 66 .0207 covers Minimum Facility and Practice Standards.

While the following is not an exhaustive list, these are generally the most common reasons for discipline.

  • Conviction of a Felony or other public offense involving moral turpitude
  • Lack of Meeting Sanitary Requirements
  • Unprofessional Conduct
  • Fraud, dishonesty, or misrepresentation
  • Compliance in regards to prescription medicines, controlled substances, etc.
  • Incompetence or gross negligence in the practice of veterinary medicine

What type of Civil Penalties can be imposed on a Licensed NC Veterinarian for violating the rules established by the North Carolina Veterinarian Medical Board?

The North Carolina Veterinarian Medical Board can impose and collect a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation of the North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act.

There are six factors the board utilizes to determine the penalty for each violation. They include:

  • The degree and extent of harm to the public health or to the health of the animal under the licensee’s care.
  • The duration and gravity of the violation.
  • Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally or reflects a continuing pattern.
  • Whether the violation involved elements of fraud or deception either to the client or to the Board, or both.
  • The prior disciplinary record with the Board of the licensee.
  • Whether and the extent to which the licensee profited by the violation.

After The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board receives a complaint, what is the process?

This process is covered in Title 21, NCAC 66 .0601.

When the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board receives a complaint, the Executive Director informs the accused of the allegations.

The accused party must respond to these allegations in writing within 20 days.

The accused party’s answer is then provided to the person making the allegation, and that person has 20 days to respond to the accused individual’s response.

These communications may be referred to the Committee on Investigations, which is comprised of 3 members of the Board.

The Committee will investigate the matter, and as part of the investigation, they may:

  1. Assign the complaint to the Board’s investigator who shall submit a written report to the Committee.
  2. Invite the complaining party and the accused party before the Committee to receive their oral statements, but neither party shall be compelled to attend.
  3. Conduct any other type of investigation as is deemed appropriate by the Committee

Upon the completion of the investigation, the Committee may file a Notice of Hearing for disciplinary issues, issue a reprimand, dismiss the charges, or issue a letter of caution.

After The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board receives a complaint, what is the process?

At North State Law, first and foremost, we are honest with you about your situation. With your livelihood on the line, we must get down to brass tacks about the facts of the case.

After an honest outlook on your situation, we begin to investigate the accusations and complaints. We do this to build a defense for you.

If our law firm is hired early enough in the process, we will help respond to complaints.

In many situations where a professional’s ethics or actions are questioned, there may come a time when you will need to speak with investigators from the licensing board.

We can help you prepare for meetings with these investigators.

If you were to speak with an investigator unprepared without counsel, you might say something that you think “isn’t a big deal” but, in the long run, may wreck your defense. If that were to happen and you hired an attorney to defend you, the unprepared gaffe may be insurmountable.

Obtaining a lawyer to help defend your NC Veterinarian License is not required or mandatory. It’s a voluntary act.

When you hire an experienced professional license defense lawyer, you’re bringing someone into the landscape who knows the process. They have time in front of Licensing Boards. They have an understanding of what investigations will be seeking to uncover. They may be able to anticipate lines of questioning and prepare you for it.

Since hiring a lawyer is a voluntary action, you must ask yourself if you think doing so will put you in a better position to protect your license.

Contact North State Law

If you are a North Carolina Veterinarian facing allegations of wrongdoing and your license to practice is in jeopardy, contact Nick Dowgul of North State Law to discuss your specific situation.

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1611 Jones Franklin Rd, Ste 106
Raleigh, NC 27606

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