(a) The board shall have the power to:

(1) Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state;

(2) Issue, renew, refuse to renew, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses to practice veterinary medicine in this state or otherwise discipline licensed veterinarians; and to issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke veterinary faculty licenses, consistent with this article and the rules and regulations adopted under this article;

(3) Conduct investigations for the purpose of discovering violations of this article or grounds for disciplining licensed veterinarians;

(4) Hold hearings on all matters properly brought before the board; and, in connection therewith, to administer oaths, receive evidence, make the necessary determinations, and enter orders consistent with the findings. The board may designate one or more of its members to serve as its hearing officer;

(5) Appoint from its own membership one member to act as a representative of the board at any meeting within or outside the state where such representative is deemed desirable;

(6) Bring proceedings in the courts for the enforcement of this article or any regulations made pursuant to this article; and

(7) Adopt, amend, or repeal all rules necessary for its government and all regulations necessary to carry this article into effect, including the establishment and publication of standards of professional conduct for the practice of veterinary medicine.

(b) The powers enumerated in subsection (a) of this Code section are granted for the purpose of enabling the board to supervise effectively the practice of veterinary medicine and are to be construed liberally to accomplish this objective.