The committee shall assume the initiative to identify the communities which are in need of additional optometric service and qualify as areas in which the loan recipients can repay their obligation by service, as provided in Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-22-63(c), 34-22-65.

At least once every two (2) years, the committee shall calculate by county or other geographic area an Optometric Shortage Index by dividing the population of the county or geographic area by the number of optometrists practicing within that county or geographic area.

Author: Board of Optometric Scholarship and Loan Awards

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-22-60, et seq.

History: Filed September 7, 1984. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.