The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 26: Professions and Occupations

Chapter 033: Osteopathy

• Subchapter 001: GENERAL PROVISIONS

• § 1750. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Approved hospital” means a hospital approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

  (2) “Approved program” means a one-year internship or postgraduate program approved by the AOA or the ACGME.

  (3) “Accredited school or college of osteopathic medicine” means a school approved by the AOA or by the Board according to its rules.

  (4) “Board” means the Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons created under section 1791 of this title.

  (5) “Disciplinary action” includes any action taken by the Board against a person licensed under this chapter or an applicant premised on a finding that the person has engaged in unprofessional conduct. The term includes all sanctions of any kind, including obtaining injunctions, refusing to grant or renew a license, suspending or revoking a license, and issuing warnings.

  (6) “Medical director” means, for purposes of this chapter, an osteopathic physician who is board-certified or board-eligible in his or her field of specialty, as determined by the AOA or the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and who is charged by a health maintenance organization with responsibility for overseeing all clinical activities of the plan in this State, or his or her designee.

  (7) “Health maintenance organization”, as used in this section, shall have the same meaning as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 9402(9).

  (8) “Member” means any individual who has entered into a contract with a health maintenance organization for the provision of health care services, or on whose behalf such an arrangement has been made, as well as the individual’s dependents covered by the contract.

  (9) “Osteopathic physician” means a person licensed under this chapter to practice osteopathic medicine.

  (10) “Practice of osteopathic medicine” means the diagnosis, treatment, operation, or prescription for any human disease, pain, injury, deformity, or other physical or mental condition, which practice is based in part upon educational standards and requirements that emphasize the importance of the neuromusculoskeletal structure and manipulative treatment in the maintenance and restoration of health. (Added 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. June 13, 2002.)

• § 1751. Application of laws; rights

  Osteopathic physicians and surgeons shall be subject to the provisions of law relating to communicable diseases and to the granting of certificates of births and deaths and the issuance of certificates relating to the commitment of individuals with a mental illness, and such reports and certificates shall be accepted by the office or department to whom the same are made or presented, equally with the reports and certificates of physicians of any other school of medicine; and such physicians shall have the same rights with respect to the rendering of medical services under the provisions of public health, welfare, and assistance laws and rules. (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 176.)

• § 1752. Prohibition; penalty

  (a) A person shall not perform any of the following acts:

  (1) practice or attempt to practice osteopathic medicine or hold himself or herself out as being able to do so in this State without first having obtained a license from the Board;

  (2) use in connection with the person’s name any letters, words, or insignia indicating that the person is an osteopathic physician unless the person is licensed in accordance with this chapter;

  (3) practice or attempt to practice osteopathic medicine during license revocation or suspension.

  (b) A person violating any of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in 3 V.S.A. § 127. (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 29, § 30; 2015, No. 38, § 15, eff. May 28, 2015.)

• § 1753. Exemptions

  (a) The provisions of subdivision 1752(a)(1) of this title, relating to practice, shall not apply to the following persons acting within the scope of their respective practices:

  (1) A person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under chapter 23 of this title.

  (2) A person licensed to practice chiropractic medicine under chapter 10 of this title.

  (3) A physician assistant licensed or registered pursuant to chapter 31 of this title.

  (4) A student who:

  (A) is enrolled in an accredited educational program that leads to the issuance of a degree that would satisfy the educational requirement for a profession licensed under this chapter;

  (B) is engaged in an organized clinical training program;

  (C) engages in acts constituting the practice of medicine while under the supervision of a Vermont-licensed or Vermont-certified health care professional who is qualified to supervise any acts by the student that constitute the practice of medicine; and

  (D) is not a postgraduate trainee who is otherwise required to obtain a training license.

  (b) The provisions of subdivision 1752(a)(1) of this title shall not apply to any person or persons giving aid, assistance, or relief in emergency or accident cases, pending the arrival of a licensed physician or surgeon.

  (c) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

  (1) a commissioned officer of the U.S. Armed Forces or Public Health Service when acting within the scope of his or her official duties;

  (2) a nonresident licensed osteopathic physician or surgeon who is called to treat or to consult on a particular case in this State, provided he or she does not otherwise practice in this State; or

  (3) an osteopathic physician who is duly licensed and in good standing in another state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States or in Canada if the physician is employed as or formally designated as the team physician by an athletic team visiting Vermont for a specific sporting event and the physician limits the practice of medicine in this State to medical treatment of the members, coaches, and staff of the sports team employing or designating the physician. (Added 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 2013, No. 27, § 19; 2015, No. 94 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. May 10, 2016; 2023, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. June 6, 2024.)

• Subchapter 002: BOARD OF OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS

• § 1791. Composition of the Board; qualifications; term of office

  (a) A Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons is created. The Board shall consist of five members. Board members shall be appointed by the Governor pursuant to 3 V.S.A. §§ 129b and 2004.

  (b)(1) Three members of the Board shall be osteopathic physicians licensed and in good standing in this State who are graduates of an accredited school of osteopathic medicine and who reside and have resided and actively practiced osteopathic medicine in this State during the two years immediately preceding their appointments.

  (2) Two members shall be public members. A public member shall not have a financial interest personally or through a spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister in the activities regulated under this chapter, other than as a consumer or possible consumer of osteopathic medical services.

  (c) A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and all action shall be taken upon a majority vote of the members present and voting.

  (d), (e) [Repealed.] (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2005, No. 27, § 48; 2015, No. 38, § 16, eff. May 28, 2015.)

• § 1792. Powers; duties

  (a) In addition to its other powers and duties, the Board shall:

  (1) Provide general information to applicants.

  (2) Explain appeal procedures to licensees and applicants and complaint procedures to the public.

  (3) Adopt rules that establish the activities that must be completed by an applicant in order to fulfill the experience requirements of this chapter. The rules shall require that the applicant’s experience be under the supervision of an osteopathic physician licensed under this chapter. Such activities shall be designed to ensure that all applicants acquire experience in critical areas of osteopathic medicine, but shall not limit admission to licensure unless there is good reason to believe that licensure of a particular applicant would be inconsistent with safeguarding the public welfare.

  (b) The Board may adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties.

  (c) [Repealed.] (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; amended 2015, No. 38, § 17, eff. May 28, 2015.)

• § 1793. Repealed. 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 19.

• § 1794. Fees

  (a) Applicants and persons regulated under this chapter shall pay the following fees:

  (1) Application

  (A) Licensure $450.00

  (B) Limited temporary license $75.00

  (2) Biennial license renewal $350.00

  (3) Annual limited temporary license renewal $145.00

  (b) If at any time an assessment is imposed on the State for its membership in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission pursuant to section 1420m of this title, the Board and the Board of Medical Practice shall assume responsibility for paying the assessment from their respective special funds in proportional amounts based on their numbers of licensees for professions eligible for licensure through the Compact. (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 35; 1993, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 1997, No. 59, § 57, eff. June 30, 1997; 1999, No. 49, § 177; 2001, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. June 13, 2002; 2005, No. 202 (Adj. Sess.), § 16; 2011, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2015, No. 57, § 1; 2017, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 3b, eff. Jan. 1, 2020; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2023, No. 77, § 29, eff. June 20, 2023.)

• Subchapter 003: LICENSES AND EXAMINATION

• § 1830. Repealed. 2015, No. 38, § 18, eff. May 28, 2015.

• § 1831. Qualifications for licensure

  (a) To be eligible for licensure as an osteopathic physician, an applicant shall have attained the age of majority and shall provide evidence, acceptable to the Board, that he or she has satisfactorily completed all of the following:

  (1) A course of study in osteopathic education from an accredited school or college of osteopathic medicine as evidenced by a graduation certificate.

  (2) Documentation of no less than one year of an approved program of postgraduate training.

  (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, an applicant shall pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination — USA (COMLEX) or the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or their successor or equivalent examinations approved by the Board unless the applicant is exempt from all or a part of the examination under the provisions of section 1832 or 1832a of this title.

  (c) In addition to the requirements of this section, an applicant shall present evidence of good character and competence relating to his or her fitness to practice osteopathic medicine from the chief of service and two other active physician staff members at the hospital or institution where the applicant was last affiliated, if the applicant has been affiliated with a hospital or institution. The Board may seek evidence relating to the character and competence of the applicant from other sources. At the discretion of the Board, the applicant may present evidence relating to character and competence from different sources. (Amended 1971, No. 184 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. March 29, 1972; 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 49, 50; 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 16.)

• § 1832. Examination

  The Board or its designee shall administer examinations to applicants for licensure at least twice each year if applications are pending. Examinations shall be designed and implemented to ensure that all applicants are admitted to practice unless there is good reason to believe that practice by a particular applicant would be inconsistent with the public health, safety, and welfare; they shall not be designed for the purpose of limiting the number of licensees. (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 17.)

• § 1832a. Licensure without examination

  (a) A person shall be entitled to licensure without examination if he or she is a diplomate of the National Board of Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.

  (b) A person shall be entitled to licensure without examination if, at the time of application, he or she produces satisfactory evidence of the following and, in the judgment of the Board, he or she is qualified in all respects for a license:

  (1) licensure in another U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this chapter; and

  (2) the person has been granted a diploma by an accredited school or college of osteopathic medicine.

  (c) [Repealed.] (Added 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; amended 2015, No. 38, § 19, eff. May 28, 2015.)

• § 1833. Reexamination

  A person who fails to pass the Vermont examination required under section 1832 of this title may apply for reexamination and may, upon payment of the examination fee, sit for any regularly scheduled examination. If an applicant does not pass the entire examination, the applicant shall not be required to retake any section of an examination that the applicant has previously passed. (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 12.)

• § 1834. Limited temporary license

  (a) An applicant for a limited temporary license shall meet the following requirements:

  (1) have attained the age of majority;

  (2) be a graduate of an accredited school or college of osteopathic medicine;

  (3) be appointed as an intern, resident, fellow, or medical officer in an approved hospital or in a clinic that is affiliated with an approved hospital, or in any hospital or institution maintained by the State, or in any clinic or outpatient clinic affiliated with or maintained by the State; and

  (4) pass Parts 1 and 2 of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination — USA (COMLEX) or Parts 1 and 2 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or their successor or equivalent examinations approved by the Board, unless the applicant is exempt from all or a part of the examination under the provisions of section 1832 or 1832a of this chapter.

  (b) The Board may grant a limited temporary license for a period of one year to an applicant who furnishes satisfactory proof of meeting the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section, and pays the required fee. A temporary license may be renewed or reissued only four times whether or not consecutive.

  (c) A limited temporary license shall entitle the applicant to practice only in the hospital or other institution designated on the applicant’s limited temporary license and in clinics or outpatient clinics operated by or affiliated with such designated hospital or institution and only under the direct supervision and control of an osteopathic or allopathic physician licensed under this chapter or chapter 23 of this title. The supervising physician shall provide the Board with information regarding the names and addresses of the supervising physician and the limited temporary licensee and the name of the hospital or other institution in which the person will practice.

  (d) The supervising physician shall be responsible for negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of the limited temporary licensee.

  (e) The limited temporary licensee shall at all times exercise the same standard of care and skill as an osteopathic physician, practicing in the same specialty, in the State of Vermont.

  (f) A limited temporary license shall expire upon occurrence of any of the following events:

  (1) The death or legal incompetency of the supervising physician.

  (2) Withdrawal of the filing by the supervising physician, provided the supervising physician gives 10 days’ written notice to the licensee and the hospital or institution.

  (g) A limited temporary license granted under this section shall expire immediately upon termination of the licensee’s appointment as intern, resident, fellow, or medical officer of the designated hospital or institution. (Amended 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; 2015, No. 38, § 20, eff. May 28, 2015.)

• § 1835. Repealed. 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 19.

• § 1836. Biennial renewal of license; continuing education

  (a)(1) A license issued under this chapter shall be renewed every two years upon application, payment of the required fee, and proof of completion of required continuing education. Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall result in the suspension of all privileges granted to the licensee, beginning on the expiration date of the license.

  (2) A license that has lapsed shall be renewed upon payment of the biennial renewal fee and the late renewal penalty.

  (b) The Director may adopt rules necessary for the protection of the public to ensure that an applicant whose license has lapsed or who has not worked for more than three years as an osteopathic physician is professionally qualified for license renewal. Conditions imposed under this subsection shall be in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

  (c) As a condition of renewal, a licensee shall complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing medical education, during the preceding two-year period. The 30 hours of continuing medical education shall meet the requirements established by the Board by rule.

  (d) [Repealed.] (Amended 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 51; 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; 2013, No. 27, § 20; 2015, No. 38, § 21, eff. May 28, 2015; 2023, No. 77, § 6, eff. June 20, 2023; 2023, No. 85 (Adj. Sess.), § 331, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 1837. Repealed. 2015, No. 38, § 22, eff. May 28, 2015.

• Subchapter 004: DENIALS; UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

• § 1841. Repealed. 2015, No. 38, § 22, eff. May 28, 2015.

• § 1842. Unprofessional conduct

  (a) A person licensed under this chapter shall not engage in unprofessional conduct. If such conduct is committed by an applicant it shall be grounds for denial of a license.

  (b) Unprofessional conduct means the following conduct and conduct set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129a:

  (1) Inability to practice osteopathic medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness or use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition.

  (2) Misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact in the obtaining of a license to practice osteopathic medicine, or renewal or reinstatement of a license.

  (3) Suspension or revocation of the physician’s license to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery by competent authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.

  (4) Willful disregard of the subpoena or notice of the Board.

  (5) Failure to keep written medical records justifying the course of treatment of the patient, including patient histories, examination results, and test results.

  (6) Exploitation of a patient for financial, personal, or professional gain.

  (7) Performing professional services that have not been authorized by the patient or his or her legal representative.

  (8) Performing any procedure or prescribing any therapy that, by the prevailing standards of medical practice in the community, would constitute experimentation of a human subject, without first obtaining full, informed, and written consent.

  (9) Delegating professional responsibilities to a person who the licensee knows or has reason to know is not qualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform them.

  (10) Agreeing with any other person or organization, or subscribing to any code of ethics or organizational bylaws, when the intent or primary effect of that agreement, code, or bylaw is to restrict or limit the flow of information concerning alleged or suspected unprofessional conduct to the Board.

  (11) Use of the services of an anesthesiologist assistant in a manner that is inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 29 of this title.

  (12) Use of the services of a radiologist assistant in a manner that is inconsistent with the provisions of chapter 52 of this title.

  (13) Use of conversion therapy as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 8351 on a client younger than 18 years of age. (Added 1989, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; amended 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 42; 2003, No. 34, § 2, eff. May 23, 2003; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 19b, eff. May 12, 2010; 2015, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)

• §§ 1843, 1844. Repealed. 2015, No. 38, § 22, eff. May 28, 2015.

• § 1845. Repealed. 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 54.

• Subchapter 005: HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION MEDICAL DIRECTOR

• §§ 1851-1856. Repealed. 2015, No. 38, § 22, eff. May 28, 2015.