# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 28 — Board of Examiners in Optometry

### Chapter 05 — Inactive Status and Reinstatement of Expired Licenses

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §11-310, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: April 11, 1983 (10:7 Md. R. 634)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03B amended effective March 4, 2002 (29:4 Md. R. 417)

#### Regulation .01 Inactive Status.

*COMAR 10.28.05.01*

The Board shall place a license on inactive status, if the licensee submits to the Board:

A. An application for inactive status on the form required by the Board; and

B. The inactive status fee required by COMAR 10.28.07.

#### Regulation .02 Application for Active Licensure by Optometrist on Inactive Status.

*COMAR 10.28.05.02*

An optometrist who is on inactive status may apply for reinstatement of active licensure. The Board shall issue an active license if the optometrist:

A. Submits to the Board satisfactory proof of completion of continuing education hours required of a practitioner on active status during the period of inactivity, not to exceed 125 hours; and

B. Pays to the Board the reinstatement fee required by COMAR 10.28.07.

#### Regulation .03 Reinstatement of Expired License.

*COMAR 10.28.05.03*

A. Any optometrist whose license has been expired for less than 5 years and who has not been put on inactive status may apply for reinstatement of their license. The Board may reinstate the license if the optometrist:

  (1) Submits to the Board satisfactory proof of having subsequently met the continuing education requirements required of a practitioner on active status during the period the license was expired, not to exceed 125 hours;

  (2) Otherwise meets the renewal requirements set forth in Health Occupations Article, §11-308, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

  (3) Pays to the Board the fee for the same number of renewal cycles lapsed plus $50.

B. The Board may reinstate the license of any optometrist whose license has been expired for 5 years or more and who has not been put on inactive status, or practiced optometry, only if the optometrist passes an examination recognized by the Board.