Arizona Veterinary Board Appeals | Board License Defense for an Arizona Veterinarian

It’s always disappointing when a veterinarian receives an unfavorable decision from the Arizona Veterinary Board (“AVB“). However, veterinarians in Arizona can benefit from understanding the process that goes along with Arizona Veterinary Board appeals and hearings after a case is heard by the Board. If you are facing an unfavorable outcome due to an offered disciplinary action, consent agreement or order, you can always appeal the decision and request an administrative hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Filing an Appeal after a Veterinary Board Meeting

The investigatory process and the appeal process work like this:  Once the Board receives a complaint or self-report they will then initiate an investigation into the Arizona veterinary license. The purpose of this investigation is to give the AVB evidence to make a decision on whether or not a veterinarian should face disciplinary action. If the veterinarian receives an unfavorable formal disciplinary decision, it is at this point, they can then file an appeal and request a hearing with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearing. An Administrative Law Judge will then oversee the appeal and the veterinarian may need to attend a hearing. However, sometimes the investigation is automatically sent to a hearing or an informal settlement conference can be held (if requested).

Arizona Administrative Appeal and Hearing

Any veterinarian licensee may request a legal appeal of the Board’s Discipline to an administrative law judge with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) which is located in Phoenix. In some instances, a case is sent automatically to OAH. Arizona’s OAH hearing is conducted before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  The administrative process is not as formal as a trial but is similar. Each party presents evidence using documents or sworn testimony. Each party also gives an opening and closing argument which should explain why the judge should rule one way or the other. A veterinarian’s attorney can cross-examine witnesses and testify on his or her behalf. After it is completed, the ALJ reviews the transcripts, and evidence and makes a recommendation. However, the Board makes the decision to either accept, reject or modify the ALJ’s decision.  If an individuals feels there has been a mistake they can request a rehearing by appealing the decision.

Criminal Reporting Requirements for a AZ Veterinarian

A.R.S. 32-3208 requires that veterinarian licensees and applicants for a veterinarian license must report misdemeanor criminal charges involving conduct that may affect patient safety or a felony to the Arizona Veterinary Board within 10 working days after the charge is filed.  A working day would be considered Monday through Friday. Failure to report a reportable criminal charge within 10 business days is a violation of the Arizona statutes.

What Current and Past Crimes Must Be Reported?

Arizona Veterinary Board Criminal Reporting rules hold that a felony must be reported within 10 days of being charged. The following types of misdemeanor or other criminal histories are crimes that have been determined by the Board to be reportable pursuant to the chapter in A.RS § 32-3208: 

• Assault and Related Offenses
• Theft and Related Offenses
• Fraud, Deceit and Related Offenses
• Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation of a Child or Vulnerable Adult and Related Offenses
• Sexual and Related Offenses
• Drug and/or Alcohol Related Offenses
• Arson and Related Offenses
• Animal Abuse, Cruelty and Related Offenses

Failure to report a reportable criminal charge within 10 business days is a violation of the Arizona Practice Act and could result in disciplinary action which could result in Arizona Veterinary Board’s Probation.

DUI Criminal History

Veterinarians, who contact our office frequently ask our attorneys if state law allows a veterinarian with a DUI crime or conviction to get a license with the Arizona State Veterinary Board? The short answer is yes. An Arizona Veterinary DUI will not necessarily prevent a vet from obtaining a license or a career in the health field. However, the Board (which handles all complaints) has a public policy (updated as of September 2020) on their website which covers the details of what circumstances veterinarians with a case that resulted in a felony DUI criminal conviction can get licensed.

Professional License Criminal Consequences

This specific policy does not apply to criminal conduct involving misdemeanor DUI charges or convictions. Once a veterinarian professional applies for a license to practice to the Arizona Veterinary Board, they need to disclose any felony DUI criminal court convictions (from previous years) on their application. A veterinarian must report a felony DUI no matter how much time or how many years have passed since the time of the conviction or case.  The AZ Board may also ask about past DUI misdemeanor criminal charges or cases that resulted in a conviction. This is done to ensure a veterinarian can perform safe animal care and can have safe direct contact with animals or other providers.

Disclosing a Criminal Record for a Professional Applicant

If a veterinarian license applicant is not required to disclose a legal misdemeanor DUI, the AZ Board can still initiate an investigation based on the results of a health care fingerprint background check. The Board will then contact the professional and initiate an investigation in their practice utilizing the law of the AZ Practice Act. This license investigation determines whether the veterinarian is a danger to the public, has any medical or mental health problems and whether the veterinarian has rehabilitated in the time since the criminal misdemeanor DUI or DUI charges occurred. Simply, the Board wants to know whether the applicant can provide safe nursing care with a past criminal case involving alcohol or substance abuse.

Arizona Veterinary Board Attorney | AZ Veterinarians

The Arizona Veterinary Board protects and promotes the welfare of the people of Arizona. They do this by ensuring each person who holds a license as a veterinarian in the State of Arizona is able to practice safely. This means the Arizona Veterinary Board has the authority to discipline the license of any medical doctor. Chelle Law’s Arizona Veterinary Board Attorneys have represented over 1,000 healthcare professionals before Arizona licensing boards. Our attorneys have the experience to help veterinary professionals with Arizona Veterinary Board matters. We assist veterinarian professionals with all Arizona Veterinary Board issues, including those who work as:

• Veterinarian.
• Veterinary Technician.
• Crematory.

Arizona State Veterinary Board Complaint

Who can file a complaint against a veterinarian? Patients, Health Care Facilities, and other professionals, among others. When the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board receives a complaint, the Board will initiate an investigation into the complaint (if the Board has jurisdiction and the Complaint isn’t dismissed).  After this happens, the veterinarian will receive a notice and the board assigns an investigator to the case. Please note, having an attorney during this step can be crucial for veterinarians as they must submit a response, and interview with the investigator while also possibly appearing at an Arizona Veterinary Board.

Responding to Practice Complaints and Investigations

After receiving an Arizona Veterinary Board Complaint or self-report, a veterinarian receives a notice from the Board requesting additional information as well as a response to allegations found in the complaint. From here, the Arizona Veterinary Board assigns an investigator to the complaint and they begin to collect evidence. The documents and evidence collected includes:

• Patient medical records
• Employment files from the veterinarian’s employer and business
• Criminal records
• Interviews of people associated with the Board Complaint (These interviewees can include the owner, medical director, colleagues, etc.)

Veterinarian Application Denial Assistance

Applicants to the Arizona Veterinary Board who have a criminal history or previous discipline by the Arizona Veterinary Board (or any other Board) may be subject to denial of their application for licensure. Thus, those with a criminal or disciplinary history from other licensing boards will be investigated by the Board.

Arizona Veterinarians’ Disciplinary Actions

Arizona Veterinary Board disciplinary actions are given to veterinarians with a license or certification in Arizona.  If the Board determines formal disciplinary action is necessary it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of the Board to review any complaint alleging a violation of the Arizona laws and regulations.  Thus, at a Board Meeting the Board will vote to determine the outcome of each investigation.  The Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the veterinarian formal discipline.  Disciplinary actions can include:

• Dismissal.
• Letter of concern.
• Decree of censure.
• Civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.
• Probation.
• Non-disciplinary order for continuing education.
• License restriction.
• Suspension.
• Revocation.

Consultation with Chelle Law

The attorneys at Chelle Law assist vets with interpreting Board policy (which is generally on the Board website). Our attorneys help the veterinarians with their application to show the Board the professional isn’t a danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the public and is able to provide safe animal care.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Veterinary Board Attorney services and how to protect your license, set up a consultation with Chelle Law today.