§34-22-20. Qualifications of applicants; examination; issuance and execution of licenses; use of pharmaceutical agents.

(a) Every person desiring to practice optometry in this state shall be 19 years of age, or over, a citizen of the United States or, if not a citizen of the United States, a person who is legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government, and of good moral character. The person shall have a minimum of three years of preoptometry, or the equivalent, at an accredited college or university, have completed a course of study in an accredited school or college of optometry which is approved by the board and that requires at least four years of professional study, and have passed all examinations prescribed by the board, which may include the standard examination after completion of the educational requirements. The board may accept a passing grade on a recognized national examination or a passing grade on a board examination, or both, and may require a passing grade on additional state law examinations. The standard examination may consist of tests in practical, theoretical, and physiological optics, in theoretical and practical optometry, orthoptics, ocular anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease of the human eye and its adjacent structures, general anatomy, hygiene, and any other knowledge the board deems essential to the practice of optometry. The standard examination shall be consistent with the established teaching and recognized textbooks of accredited schools or colleges of optometry.

(b) The application to take the standard examination shall be upon the form prescribed and furnished by the board and verified by the oath of the applicant, accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board. The fee shall not be more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(c) If required, the standard examination shall be held at least once in each year for candidates for examination who have applied to the board at least 30 days before the date prescribed for the holding of the examination.

(d) When an application and accompanying proof are found satisfactory, the board shall notify the applicant to appear for examination at a time and place fixed by the board. An applicant shall submit to the board proof that he or she has passed all examinations required by the board. The applicant shall also submit any protocols for the use of pharmaceutical agents that the board may require. When these requirements have been met by the applicant and approved by the board, the board shall grant to qualified applicants a license and a license certificate, both of which shall bear a serial number, the full name of the licensee, the date of issuance, the seal of the board, and the signature of the president and secretary of the board. A seal of approval by the board of the use of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of the human eye and any of its adjacent structures shall be affixed to the license certificate. The board may grant a temporary license under the circumstances and conditions, and in the form, as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the board.

(e) Every license issued, whether permanent or temporary, and every annual registration certificate shall be in the possession of the optometrist to whom it was issued and posted in the office where he or she practices.

(f) Those persons who hold valid licenses to practice optometry in the State of Alabama on October 1, 1994, shall continue to be so licensed after October 1, 1994, subject to this chapter, regardless of whether they are otherwise qualified to secure a license under this chapter. Optometrists licensed under this section may apply to the board, in a manner prescribed by the board, for approval to use pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of disease of the human eye and its adjacent structures. The board shall prescribe requirements to be met by applicants prior to approval by the board including, but not limited to, the requirement that the applicant has successfully completed at least 72 clock hours in the diagnosis and management of disease of the human eye and its adjacent structures within a three-year period preceding application for a license.

(Acts 1975, No. 1148, p. 2257, §6; Acts 1989, No. 89-233, p. 288, §3; Acts 1993, No. 93-153, p. 222, §3; Acts 1995, No. 95-218, p. 370, §1; Act 2005-77, p. 120, §3; Act 2009-33, p. 109, §3; Act 2013-75, p. 157, §3.)