What is the protocol for filing a complaint against a veterinarian and/or practice?
How often does the Board of Veterinary Medicine meet?
Why does it take so long to get an answer about a complaint that I have filed?
How can I find out if there have been any disciplinary actions against a veterinarian?
Can you order a licensed professional to give me my money back?
Who can practice veterinary medicine in New Hampshire?
How will I know if my continuing education meets the requirements for license renewal?
What is the protocol for filing a complaint against a veterinarian and/or practice?
A. A complaint must be made in writing to the NH Board of Veterinary Medicine (332B:15, VI. a and b). The Board strongly recommends using this form for all complaints. Click on "Publications and Forms", Click on "Board of Veterinary Medicine Complaint Form".
B. General instructions: Use a seperate form for each individual veterinarian for whom you have a complaint. A complaint must be made against a specific veterinarian, not a hospital, and include a statement of charges (Vet 201.05 b). Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics are NOT licensed or regulated in the State of New Hampshire. Complaints made against a hospital cannot be investigated.
The statement of charges shall include the following information:
Board of Veterinary Medicine
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03302-2042
OR you may email it to us at: vetboard@agr.nh.gov
How often does the Board of Veterinary Medicne meet?
A. The Board meets every 4-8 weeks for regular meetings. These meetings are announced and posted in accordance with NH RSA 541-A.
A. Yes. There is a public session held at the beginning of each meeting. If you have a specific concern, the Board recommends that you notify them prior to the meeting so that appropriate time can be allowed.
Why does it take so long to get an answer about a complaint that I have filed?
A. After the Board receives a complaint, it will be added to the agenda for the next scheduled meeting.
B. The Board will reveiw the complaint, and if there is any conflict where a Board member has a professional or personal relationship with the complainant or the licensee, that Board member will recuse themselves from the discussion and leave the room. This means that he or she will not be part of deciding if a full investigation will take place, will not receive any furher information besides what is in the original complaint, and will not take part in the investigating or determining the outcome of the case.
C. The non-recused members will determine if the complaint describes a violation of laws, rules, or ethics of veterinary medicine.
D. The complaint will then be assisgned to a member of the Board to conduct an investigation. The Licensee will be notified that an investigation is taking place, provided with a copy of the complaint, and required to submit a response and provide a copy of the complete medical record according to the laws and rules of the jurisdiction.
E. The investigator will review the complaint, letter of response from the licensee, and medical record. The complainant, licensee and any witnesses may be contacted for additional information or clarification.
F. The investigator will write a summary of the complaint and findings for the non-recused Board members to review at a non-public session. The investigator is then recused from further discussion.
G. The remaining non-recused Board members will then discuss the findings and determine the outcome of the complaint. This process may take several months. Possible outcomes may include:
H. The complainant will be notified once the case is completely resolved. Once the Board refers a case to the APU, the Board has no control over the timeline. This process may take over a year for complete resolution.
How can I find out if ther have been any disciplinary actions against a veterinarian?
A. Search by the licensee's name (not business) on the offical State of New Hampshire License Look-up.
B. "Person Search"
C. Choose "Veterinary Medicine" for profession.
D. Choose "Veterinarian" for license.
E. Enter the name of the veterinarian and click search.
F. Click on the appropriate veterinarian to show that licensee's information.
G. Scroll down to "Board Actions" and you will see either "no actions" or a list of links to "Disciplinary Actions." Clicking on the individual link will open the document.
H. Note that only public actions will be listed on the website. Confidential actions cannot be disclosed.
Can you order a licensed professional to give me my money back?
A. The New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine does not have the authority to be involved in fee disputes and does not investigate issues of a monetary nature except where they pertain directly to professional misconduct or malpractice. The Board does not seek remuneration for complainants, and restitution is not an available sanction at this time. You may considier filing a complaint in small claims court or seeking private counsel.
Who can practice veterinary medicine in New Hampshire?
A. Except as provided in RSA 332-B:9, no person may practice veterinary medicine in the state who is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the Board.
B. You may verify your license is current on the official State of New Hampshire License Look up.
How will I know if my continuing education meets the requirments for license renewal?
A. Visit the Licensing page and click on the appropriate document for Approved CE Providers or Veterinary Medicine CE Policy.
B. All CE must be pre-approved.
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
7 Eagle Square | Concord, NH 03301
Main Telephone: (603) 271-2152