(1) A person may be licensed to practice only specialized veterinary medicine in Washington state. Application for specialty licensure shall be made on forms provided by the secretary and include:

(a) Official transcript or other evidence of graduation from an American Veterinary Medical Association approved or accredited college or university; or

(b) Certification that the applicant has successfully completed either:

(i) The American Veterinary Medical Association's Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates; or

(ii) The American Association of Veterinary State Board's Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE); and

(c) Documented licensure, in good standing, to practice veterinary medicine in any state, United States territory, or province of Canada; and

(d) Certification as a diplomate of a national board or college recognized in the specialty area for which application is submitted.

(2) Applicants must pass a written examination approved by the board pertaining to laws regulating the practice of veterinary medicine in the state of Washington. Examination grades will be based on a possible score of one hundred percent with a minimum passing score of ninety percent.

(3) At the time of license renewal, licensees must present evidence of continued certification by the veterinary specialty board authority.

(4) The veterinary board of governors recognizes all veterinary medicine specialties recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The practice of a veterinarian licensed as a specialized practitioner is limited to the specific specialty for which licensed.

(5) Individuals licensed as a veterinary specialist are subject to chapter 18.130 RCW.

(6) Veterinary specialty licensees shall be charged the impaired veterinarian assessment on each license issuance or renewal: Provided however, That no licensee shall pay more than one impaired veterinarian assessment per year.