Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §4859, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 246, §11, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §4861, as amended by PL 1997, c. 246, §§13 to 18, is further amended to read:

§4861. Application for license; qualifications and

examination

Any A person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this State shall make written application to the board and pay the required licensure fee set under section 4863- A. The application must show that the applicant holds a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from an approved veterinary medicine program that is a graduate of a veterinary school recognized and approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association United States Department of Education and by the board, and is a person of good moral character and provide such other information and proof as the board may require establish by rule. The application must be accompanied by a fee not to exceed $50 established by the board. The board may adopt rules applicable to graduates of approved veterinary medicine programs by the Commissioner of Education and rules applicable to foreign educated graduates who can demonstrate equivalent education and training.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2- A.

An applicant who is not a graduate of a school of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association must possess a certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates or a Certificate of Qualification issued by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, unless the applicant is applying for licensure by endorsement and at the time the applicant became licensed in the state, province or territory from which the applicant is applying, an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certificate was not required by this State.

If the board determines that the applicant possesses the proper qualifications, it shall admit the applicant to the next examination. If an applicant is found not qualified to take the examination, the secretary of the board shall immediately notify the applicant in writing of such a finding and the grounds therefor. An applicant found unqualified may request a hearing on the question of the applicant's qualifications under the procedure set forth in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter IV.