§ 6704. Requirements for a professional license as a veterinarian. To qualify for a license as a veterinarian, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:

(1) Application: file an application with the department;

(2) Education: have received an education, including a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine, in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;

(3) Experience: have experience satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;

(4) Examination: pass an examination satisfactory to the board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;

(5) Age: be at least twenty-one years of age;

(6) Citizenship or immigration status: be a United States citizen or a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; provided, however that the board of regents may grant a one-time three-year waiver for a veterinarian who otherwise meets the requirements of this article and who has accepted an offer to practice veterinary medicine in a county in the state which the department has certified as having a shortage of qualified applicants to fill existing vacancies in veterinary medicine, and provided further that the board of regents may grant an extension of such three-year waiver of not more than one year;

(7) Character: be of good moral character as determined by the department; and

(8) Fees: pay a fee of two hundred sixty dollars to the department for admission to a department conducted examination and for an initial license, a fee of one hundred thirty-five dollars for each reexamination, a fee of one hundred thirty dollars for an initial license for persons not requiring admission to a department conducted examination, and a fee of two hundred ten dollars for each triennial registration period.