Indiana mandates background checks and fingerprinting for veterinary licensure

Indianapolis, Ind.

— Veterinarians looking to obtain or renew their license now have to submit to state background checks and fingerprinting.

Senate Bill 363, signed into law May 17 and effective July 1, requires criminal background checks for all licensed professionals by the state police department. Veterinarians are among the healthcare professionals that will have to also submit to a national criminal history background check under the new law. Fingerprinting will be required for all licensed professionals, as well, and the fingerprints will be permanently kept in a state database.

The bill also allows licensing boards to suspend, deny or revoke licenses based on certain convictions or special offenses, according to the legislation.

The bill was introduced in January by Sen. Patricia Miller, who said the previous system, with no background checks, left the public too vulnerable. Miller points out that of the 200 professional permits regulated in the state, only real estate appraisers, security guards and private investigators were required to undergo criminal history checks under prior licensing guidelines.