340.238.  Licensure by reciprocity, requirements — additional requirements — negotiation of compacts — fee — notification of failure to qualify, filing of complaint. — 1.  The board may issue a license to practice veterinary medicine to an applicant, without examination, if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board of the following requirements for licensure by reciprocity:

  (1)  The applicant has been actively engaged in the profession in another state, territory, district or province of the United States or Canada for a period of at least five consecutive years immediately prior to making application in Missouri and provides the board with a complete listing of all locations of all previous places of practice and licensure in chronological order;

  (2)  A certificate from the proper licensing authority of the other state, territory, district or province of the United States or Canada certifying that the applicant is duly licensed, that the applicant's license has never been suspended, revoked, surrendered, or placed on probation, whether voluntarily or not, and that, insofar as the records of that authority are concerned, the applicant is entitled to its endorsement;

  (3)  The standards for admission to practice veterinary medicine of the state, territory, district or province of the United States or Canada in which the applicant is currently licensed were equal to or more stringent than the requirements for initial registration in Missouri at the time of the applicant's initial registration.

  2.  Even if the applicant has submitted proof of the qualifications in subsection 1 of this section, the board may by rule require any applicant under this section to take any examination, oral or written, or practical examination if such examination is required for an applicant seeking licensure by examination pursuant to the provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330.

  3.  The board may negotiate reciprocal compacts with licensing boards of other states, territories, districts or provinces of the United States or Canada for admission to the practice of veterinary medicine.

  4.  To determine the admission standards of other states, territories, districts or provinces of the United States or Canada, the executive director shall gather information as directed by the board pertaining to such standards.  The board may contract with persons to assist the board in obtaining and evaluating such information and material.

  5.  The board may issue a license upon payment of a fee for licensure by reciprocity, if the applicant meets the requirements of this section and other provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330.

  6.  If the board determines that an applicant is not qualified to be licensed under this section, the executive director shall immediately notify the applicant in writing.  The notification shall include specific findings of the board as to the applicant's failure to qualify under this section, that the applicant may request a hearing before the board on the question of the applicant's qualifications, that the applicant may otherwise be considered for licensure after examination as provided in section 340.240^* and of the applicant's right pursuant to section 621.120 to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission.