Licensure by Endorsement

PURPOSE: This rule states the requirements and procedures for obtaining a license by endorsement. (1) The board may issue a license to practice optometry by endorsement and without examination to an individual licensed in another state, territory, country, or province which the board determines has licensing requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements in Missouri. The applicant shall provide the following documentation to the board: (A) A completed application with the application fee; (B) Proof that the applicant has successfully completed an optometry licensure examination in any state, territory, country, or province substantially equivalent to the licensure examination accepted for licensure in Missouri; (C) With the exception of government service, proof that the applicant has been engaged in active clinical practice in the state, territory, country, or province in which the applicant is currently licensed for at least three (3) years in the five (5) years immediately preceding the application; (D) Proof that the applicant is registered or certified in the state from which s/he is applying for endorsement to use pharmaceutical agents at the highest level granted in that state with the requirements established in that state for registration and/or certification being substantially equivalent to the requirements in this state; (E) Certification from each state in which s/he is or was or has been licensed verifying that the applicant is or was in good standing and has never had his/her license to practice in any state disciplined in any manner and that the applicant is not the subject of any pending complaints; (F) Proof of submission of fingerprints to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s approved vendor for both a Missouri State Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint background check. Any fees due for fingerprint background checks shall be paid by the applicant directly to the Missouri State Highway Patrol or its approved vendor; and (G) Such additional information as the board may request to determine eligibility for licensure by endorsement. (2) The board may require an endorsement applicant to successfully complete an oral interview, an oral examination, or a clinical examination if it is determined by the board that the current competency of the candidate requires additional evaluation. (3) All applicants for licensure by endorsement shall satisfactorily complete a written examination on Missouri Optometric Law with a score of seventy-five percent (75%) or greater within one (1) year prior to licensure. AUTHORITY: section 336.160.1, RSMo Supp. 2018.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 210-2.011. Original rule filed Oct. 14, 1981, effective Jan. 14, 1982. Amended: Filed April 13, 1982, effective July 11, 1982. Amended: Filed March 4, 1983, effective June 11, 1983. Amended: Filed May 31, 1991, effective Oct. 31, 1991. Amended: Filed Jan. 3, 1992, effective May 14, 1992. Amended: Filed Aug. 11, 1992, effective Feb. 26, 1993. Amended: Filed April 18, 1996, effective Oct. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed June 28, 2002, effective Dec. 30, 2002. Moved to 20 CSR 2210-2.011, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Nov. 29, 2006, effective May 30, 2007. Amended: Filed May 2, 2008, effective Nov. 30, 2008. Amended: Filed Aug. 23, 2018, effective Feb. 28, 2019. *Original authority: 336.160.1, RSMo 1939, amended 1947, 1963, 1981, 2007, 2008, 2018.