Loans issued under the Alabama Optometric Service Agreement shall be repaid under terms of a contract by working in full-time clinical practice as a licensed optometrist in an area of critical need in the state of Alabama, approved by the Board, for six (6) years. Optometrist must participate in the state Medicaid program.

1. (1) If the optometrist demonstrates to the Board’s satisfaction that a qualifying percentage of his or her active patients were indigent or covered by Medicaid during the previous year, additional service credit may be given based on the following:
2. a. Three (3) months service credit may be given if twenty percent (20%) of the active patients served were indigent or covered by Medicaid.
3. b. Six (6) months service credit may be given if thirty percent (30%) of the active patients were indigent or covered by Medicaid.
4. c. One (1) year service credit may be given if fifty percent (50%) of the active patients were indigent or covered by Medicaid.
5. (2) A participant in the program may change the area of critcal need where he or she practices, subject to the Board’s approval. However, the optometrist must work in a full-time clinical practice for at least four (4) years in the new area of critical need to receive credit for repayment with service.
6. a. An area of critical need shall be any county in the state of Alabama that is considered in the top thirty percent(30%) of areas with the highest rank of need under the most recent Optometric Shortage Index.
7. b. The number of optometrists over the age of sixty-five (65) practicing in each county may be considered in determining if an area is an area of critical need.
8. (3) A participant in the Alabama Optometric Service Program may be allowed to work part time in an area of critical need that is considered one of the top eight percent (8%) of areas with the highest rank of need under the most recent Optometric Shortage Index.
9. a. If approved by the Board, the optometrist must work an average of twenty (20) hours per week per month on an annual basis practicing direct patient care.
10. b. The optometrist must practice in the designated area for a minimum of six (6) years to qualify for full forgiveness of the loan. A part-time participant in the Alabama Optometric Service Program will not be eligible for service credit as described in (635-X-9-.05 (1)a-c.

Author: Board of Optometric Scholarship and Loan Awards

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

History: Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.