§ 58-16a-302. Qualifications for licensure. (Effective 5/13/2014)

(1) An applicant for licensure as an optometrist shall:

(a) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;

(b) pay a fee as determined by the division under Section 63J-1-504;

(c) be of good moral character;

(d)

(i) be a doctoral graduate of a recognized school of optometry accredited by the American Optometric Association's Accreditation Council on Optometric Education; or

(ii) be a graduate of a school of optometry located outside the United States that meets the criteria that would qualify the school for accreditation under Subsection (1)(d)(i), as demonstrated by the applicant for licensure;

(e) if the applicant graduated from a recognized school of optometry prior to July 1, 1996, have successfully completed a course of study satisfactory to the division, in consultation with the board, in general and ocular pharmacology and emergency medical care;

(f) have passed examinations approved by the division in consultation with the board that include:

(i) a standardized national optometry examination;

(ii) a standardized clinical examination;

(iii) a standardized national therapeutics examination; and

(iv) the Utah Optometry Law Examination; and

(g) meet with the board and representatives of the division, if requested by either party, for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's qualifications for licensure.

(2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1) and Section 58-1-302, the division shall issue a license under this chapter by endorsement to an individual who:

(a) submits an application for licensure by endorsement on a form approved by the division;

(b) pays a fee established by the division in accordance with Section 63J-1-504;

(c) provides satisfactory evidence to the division that the individual is of good moral character;

(d) verifies that the individual is licensed as an optometrist in good standing in each state of the United States, or province of Canada, in which the individual is currently licensed as an optometrist; and

(e) has been actively engaged in the legal practice of optometry for at least 3,200 hours during the immediately preceding two years in a manner consistent with the legal practice of optometry in this state.

Amended by Chapter 305, 2014 General Session