Chapter 08. Licensure Eligibility: Out-of-State Applicants
Regulation .01 Definition.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this chapter, the following term has the meaning indicated.
B.
Term Defined. “Active practice” means practices optometry for at least a total of 500 hours within 3 consecutive years, immediately before applying for licensure.
Regulation .02 Application.LinkCopy Citation
A.
An applicant for licensure under this chapter shall:
(1)
Complete and submit to the Board an application;
(2)
Pay the application fee required by COMAR 10.28.07.02; and
(3)
Submit proof that the applicant meets the requirements of Health Occupations Article, §11-305, Annotated Code of Maryland.
B.
An applicant shall submit the following documentation with the application:
(1)
A copy of a current license from another state;
(2)
An affidavit from the other state licensing board attesting that the applicant became licensed in the other state by passing an examination approved by the board of optometry in that state;
(3)
An affidavit from a colleague, employer, or other source approved by the Board attesting that the applicant has:
(a)
Engaged in active practice immediately before applying for licensure under this chapter; or
(b)
Was a teaching optometrist, a military optometrist, a supervisor or administrative optometrist, or a researcher in optometry for 3 years immediately before applying for licensure under this chapter;
(4)
An affidavit from the other state licensing board attesting that the applicant has met the continuing education requirements for the state in which the applicant has been practicing; and
(5)
Proof of the equivalent of 3 years of continuing education hours as required of optometrists in Maryland in courses approved by the Board if the other state does not require continuing education hours.
Regulation .03 Examination.LinkCopy Citation
An approved applicant for licensure under this chapter shall:
A.
Be given a Maryland Board of Examiners in Optometry jurisprudence examination; and
B.
Obtain a minimum score of 75 percent.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§11-205 and 11-302—11-308, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: March 11, 1985 (12:5 Md. R. 483)
History: Regulation .01 repealed and new Regulation .01 adopted effective August 28, 1995 (22:17 Md. R. 1318)
History: Regulation .01A amended effective March 4, 2002 (29:4 Md. R. 417)
History: Regulation .02 amended effective August 28, 1995 (22:17 Md. R. 1318)
History: Chapter revised effective March 26, 2007 (34:6 Md. R. 627)
History: Chapter revised effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)