Licensure by Examination

PURPOSE: This rule explains the examinations of the State Board of Optometry. (1) Every person applying for licensure as an optometrist shall have graduated from a school of optometry approved by the board. (2) The board currently approves those schools of optometry which are accredited by the Council on Optometric Education. (3) All applicants must pay the application fee and submit proof 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. (4) All applicants for a license as an optometrist shall pass all parts of the examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) within three (3) years prior to licensure. Each applicant also shall pass an examination on Missouri Optometric law with a score of seventyfive percent (75%) or greater within one (1) year prior to licensure. (5) In addition to the above requirements, all applicants for a license as an optometrist must be certified by the board as qualified to use pharmaceutical agents in accordance with the guidelines stated in 20 CSR 2210-2.080. AUTHORITY: sections 336.050 and 336.220.1, RSMo 2016, and section 336.160.1, RSMo Supp. 2018.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 210-2.020. Original rule filed Dec. 19, 1975, effective Dec. 29, 1975. Amended: Filed Nov. 10, 1976, effective March 11, 1977. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 1979, effective Feb. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed March 13, 1980, effective June 12, 1980. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Oct. 14, 1981, effective Jan. 14, 1982. Amended: Filed Feb. 9, 1982, effective May 13, 1982. Amended: Filed Oct. 12, 1982, effective Jan. 13, 1983. Amended: Filed Feb. 8, 1983, effective May 12, 1983. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 11, 1990, effective Oct. 21, 1990, expired Feb. 17, 1991. Amended: Filed Sept. 5, 1990, effective April 29, 1991. 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 March 18, 1996, effective Sept. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed June 28, 2002, effective Dec. 30, 2002. Moved to 20 CSR 22102.020, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Nov. 29, 2006, effective May 30, 2007. Amended: Filed Dec. 5, 2007, effective June 30, 2008. Amended: Filed Nov. 7, 2018, effective May 30, 2019. *Original authority: 336.050, RSMo 1939, amended 2007; 336.160.1, RSMo 1939, amended 1947, 1963, 1981, 2007, 2008, 2018; and 336.220.1, RSMo 1981, amended 1986, 1993, 1995, 2007.