33-23-117. Optometry volunteer license.

(a) As used in this section, "low income uninsured person" and "nonprofit health care facility" have the same meanings as in W.S. 33-15-131(a).

(b) For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered retired from practice if the person's license or certificate has expired.

(c) The state board of optometry may issue, with or without examination, a volunteer certificate to a person who is retired from practice so that the person may provide optometry services to low income uninsured persons at nonprofit health care facilities. The board shall deny issuance of a volunteer's certificate to a person who is not qualified under this section to hold a volunteer's certificate.

(d) An application for a volunteer's certificate shall include all of the following:

(i) A copy of the applicant's optometry degree;

(ii) One (1) of the following, as applicable:

(A) A copy of the applicant's most recent license or certificate authorizing the practice of optometry issued by a jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice optometry; or

(B) A copy of the applicant's most recent license equivalent to a license to practice optometry in one (1) or more branches of the United States armed services that the United States government issued.

(iii) Evidence of one (1) of the following, as applicable:

(A) That the applicant has maintained for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement full licensure in good standing in any jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice optometry; or

(B) That the applicant has practiced for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement in good standing as an optometrist in one (1) or more of the branches of the United States armed services; and

(iv) A notarized statement from the applicant, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant:

(A) Will not accept any form of remuneration for any optometric services rendered while in possession of a volunteer certificate;

(B) Will devote his practice exclusively and totally to providing medical services to low income uninsured persons at a nonprofit health care facility in this state; and

(C) Will provide any other documentation that the board reasonably may require.

(e) The holder of a volunteer's certificate may provide optometric services only on the premises of a nonprofit health care facility in this state and only to low income uninsured persons. The holder shall not accept any form of remuneration for providing optometric services while in possession of the certificate. The board may revoke a volunteer's certificate on receiving proof satisfactory to the board that the holder has engaged in practice in this state outside the scope of the certificate.

(f) A volunteer's certificate shall be valid for a period of one (1) year, unless earlier revoked under subsection (e) of this section or pursuant to title 33, chapter 23 of the Wyoming statutes. A volunteer's certificate may be renewed upon the application of the holder. The board shall maintain a register of all persons who hold volunteer's certificates. The board shall not charge a fee for issuing or renewing a certificate pursuant to this section.

(g) To be eligible for renewal of a volunteer's certificate, the holder of the certificate shall certify to the board completion of any continuing education required under this act as if the holder of the certificate were in active practice. The board shall not renew a certificate if the holder has not complied with the continuing education requirements. The nonprofit health care facility in which the holder provides optometric services may pay for or reimburse the holder for any costs incurred in obtaining the required continuing education.

(h) The board shall issue to each person who qualifies under this section a volunteer's certificate that states the certificate holder is authorized to provide optometric services pursuant to the laws of this state.

(j) Except as provided in this section, any person holding a volunteer certificate issued by the board under this section shall be subject to the requirements of this act and the jurisdiction of the board as if he were licensed to practice optometry under this act.

(k) The board shall adopt rules to administer and enforce this section.