To define the term "veterinary specialist" and prohibit its use unless the veterinarian is certified by an American Veterinary Medical Association-recognized specialty organization or an organization recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialists or any other Board-approved organization.

The petition will be published on December 29, 2014 in the Register of Regulations and also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment ending January 28, 2015.

 Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language.  This matter will be on the Board’s agenda for its first meeting after the comment period, which is scheduled for February 19, 2015.

The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine accepted the petition for rule-making with publication of a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) to amend section 140 on unprofessional conduct relating to advertising or representing oneself as a specialist with the required credential.