<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="08" heading="Licensure Eligibility: Out-of-State Applicants" title_num="10" subtitle_num="28">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definition.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following term has the meaning indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Term Defined. “Active practice” means practices optometry for at least a total of 500 hours within 3 consecutive years, immediately before applying for licensure.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Application.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>An applicant for licensure under this chapter shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Complete and submit to the Board an application;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Pay the application fee required by COMAR 10.28.07.02; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Submit proof that the applicant meets the requirements of Health Occupations Article, §11-305, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>An applicant shall submit the following documentation with the application:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A copy of a current license from another state;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>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;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>An affidavit from a colleague, employer, or other source approved by the Board attesting that the applicant has:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Engaged in active practice immediately before applying for licensure under this chapter; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>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;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>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</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Examination.">
    <text>An approved applicant for licensure under this chapter shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Be given a Maryland Board of Examiners in Optometry jurisprudence examination; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Obtain a minimum score of 75 percent.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Health Occupations Article, §§11-205 and 11-302—11-308, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: March 11, 1985 (12:5 Md. R. 483)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 repealed and new Regulation .01 adopted effective August 28, 1995 (22:17 Md. R. 1318)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01A amended effective March 4, 2002 (29:4 Md. R. 417)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective August 28, 1995 (22:17 Md. R. 1318)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter revised effective March 26, 2007 (34:6 Md. R. 627)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter revised effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>