Title of Regulation: 18VAC105-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Optometry (amending 18VAC105-20-60).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: July 1, 2009.

Agency Contact: Elizabeth A. Carter, Ph.D., Executive Director, Board of Optometry, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4426, FAX (804) 527-4466, or email elizabeth.carter@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

In compliance with Chapter 687 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly, the Board of Optometry has amended its regulations relating to the responsibility of the licensee or registrant to provide current addresses. Every licensee and registrant is required to provide an address of record for use by the board, and is permitted to provide a second address to be used as the public address. If a second address is not provided, the address of record becomes the public address. Regulations are amended to use the statutory terminology of address of record and to clarify that the regulant has a responsibility to notify the board within 30 days if there is a change in the address of record or the public address, if different from the address of record.

18VAC105-20-60. Renewal of licensure; reinstatement; renewal fees.

A. Every person authorized by the board to practice optometry shall, on or before December 31 of every year, submit a completed renewal application and pay the prescribed annual licensure fee.

B. It shall be the duty and responsibility of each licensee to assure that the board has the licensee's current address of record and the public address, if different from the address of record. All changes of mailing address or name shall be furnished to the board within 30 days after the change occurs. All notices required by law or by these rules and regulations are to be deemed to be validly tendered when mailed to the address of record given and shall not relieve the licensee of the obligation to comply.

C. The license of every person who does not return the completed form and fee by December 31 of each year may be renewed for up to one year by paying the prescribed renewal fee and late fee, provided the requirements of 18VAC105-20-70 have been met. After December 31, a license that has not been renewed is lapsed. Practicing optometry in Virginia with a lapsed license may subject the licensee to disciplinary action and additional fines by the board.

D. An optometrist whose license has been lapsed for more than one year and who wishes to resume practice in Virginia shall apply for reinstatement. The executive director may grant reinstatement provided that:

1. The applicant can demonstrate continuing competence;

2. The applicant has satisfied current requirements for continuing education for the period in which the license has been lapsed, not to exceed two years; and

3. The applicant has paid the prescribed reinstatement application fee.

E. The board may require an applicant who has allowed his license to expire and who cannot demonstrate continuing competency to pass all or parts of the board-approved examinations.