32-1722

32-1722. Qualifications of applicant;
applications

A. A person of good moral character who desires to engage in the practice of the
profession of optometry shall file with the board not less than thirty days before the
date on which an examination is to be held a verified application with the required
application fee that includes:

1. The applicant's name, age and address.

2. Documentation of graduation from a university or college that teaches the
profession of optometry and that is accredited by a nationally accepted accrediting body
on optometric education.

3. Documentation of satisfactory completion of an equivalent course of study that
is approved by the board in didactic education, pharmacology and clinical training in the
examination, diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the human eye and its adnexa that
either:

(a) Meets the contemporary educational requirements at colleges of optometry in the
United States.

(b) Totals at least one hundred twenty hours.

4. Documentation of the successful passage of a written examination as prescribed
by the board.

5. Background information on a form prescribed by the attorney general for the
purpose of conducting an investigation into the existence of prior arrests and
convictions.

6. Disclosure of any investigation conducted or pending by an optometric regulatory
board in another jurisdiction in the United States.

B. On receipt of an application in proper form and containing the information
prescribed in subsection A of this section, the board may investigate the applicant's
character, ability and experience.

C. For the purposes of an investigation that is conducted pursuant to subsection B
of this section, the board may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and take testimony
with respect to the character of the applicant or to any matter affecting the application
at a hearing held after sufficient notice has been given.

D. If the board finds that the applicant has passed the examination provided for
under section 32-1724 and that the applicant's character, ability and experience are
satisfactory, the board shall issue a license.