21 NCAC 42B .0114          MILITARY LICENSE

(a)  Permanent Unrestricted License Military Optometrist: The Board shall issue a permanent license to a military-trained applicant to allow the applicant to lawfully practice optometry in North Carolina if, upon application to the Board, the applicant satisfies the following conditions:

(1)           Awarded a military occupational specialty in optometry and has done all of the following at a level that the Board, through an oral interview or administration of a clinical practicum examination, determines to be substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure in this State:

(A)          completed a military program of optometry training that includes additional clinical experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases of the eye and its adnexa;

(B)          completed testing or equivalent training and experience; and

(C)          performed in the occupational specialty;

(2)           Engaged in the practice of optometry for at least two of the five years, which may include clinical residency, preceding the date of the application under this Paragraph;

(3)           Not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice optometry in this State at the time the act was committed; and

(4)           Pays the application, examination, and licensing fees required by the Board.

(b)  Permanent Unrestricted License-Optometrist Spouse of Military Personnel: The Board shall issue to a military spouse a license to practice optometry in this State if, upon application to the Board, the military spouse satisfies the following conditions:

(1)           Holds a current license, certification, or registration from another jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction's requirements for licensure, certification, or registration are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure in this State;

(2)           Can demonstrate competency in optometry through methods determined by the Board, such as passing the Board's clinical practicum examination, completing continuing education units, or having had recent clinical experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases of the eye and its adnexa for at least two of the five years preceding the date of the application under this Paragraph;

(3)           Not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice optometry in this State at the time the act was committed;

(4)           Submits written evidence demonstrating that the applicant is married to an active member of the U.S. military:

(5)           Is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that had jurisdiction to issue the license, certification, or permit; and

(6)           Pays the application, examination, and licensing fees required by the Board.

(c)  All optometric medical experience of a military service member in the discharge of official duties or, for a military spouse, all optometric medical experience, including full-time and part-time experience, regardless of whether in a paid or volunteer capacity, shall be credited in the calculation of years of practice required under Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

(d)  A nonresident licensed under this Rule shall be entitled to the same rights and subject to the same obligations as required of a resident licensed by the Board in this State.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-123; 93B-15.1;

Eff. July 1, 2014.