Every person holding a license to practice optometry in this state shall be required to present to the Board of Examiners in Optometry, not later than the thirtieth day of June of each year, satisfactory evidence that during the preceding twelve (12) months the person attended not less than two (2) days of a total of at least twelve (12) hours of educational or postgraduate programs approved by the Board, or that the person was prevented, because of sickness or any other reason acceptable to the Board, from attending the educational or postgraduate program. Such education shall include not less than one (1) hour of education in pain management or one (1) hour of education in opioid use or addiction, unless the person has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the person does not currently hold a valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number.

The filing of proof of attendance at educational programs or clinics shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of a renewal license. The Board may reinstate the license of the licensee to practice optometry upon presentation of satisfactory proof of postgraduate study of a standard approved by the examiners and payment of all fees due including a late reinstatement fee not to exceed three times the annual renewal fee.

Added by Laws 1951, p. 271, § 4, emerg. eff. May 1, 1951. Amended by Laws 1965, c. 89, § 2, emerg. eff. May 5, 1965; Laws 1983, c. 14, § 3, emerg. eff. March 25, 1983; Laws 2019, c. 428, § 11, emerg. eff. May 21, 2019.