(a)

1. (1) Arkansas optometrists licensed as optometric physicians who apply for and possess a Drug Enforcement Administration number shall:

   1. (A)

(i) Prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances only.

1. (ii)

(b) (b) Any prescription for a Schedule II or III opiate shall not exceed the total maximum manufacturer’s recommended daily dose for a total of seventy-two (72) hours administration.

1. (c) (c) Any refill of a prescription beyond the initial seventy-two-hour prescription requires an inpatient visit and exam.

   1. (d) (d) Optometrists shall not prescribe more than fifty (50) morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day.

      1. (iii) Patient record must be documented for a justification for the original prescription and for the need of any refill;

   2. (B) Administer and prescribe controlled substances for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the:

      1. (i) Eye;
      2. (ii) Lids; and
      3. (iii) Adnexa;
   3. (C) Not sell any prescription medication, including controlled substances;

   4. (D)

      1. (i) Be responsible for knowing and abiding by all state rules and federal regulations pertaining to controlled substances, with emphasis on the Mid-Level Practitioner’s Manual published by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and all State Board of Optometry rules pertaining to controlled substances.
      2. (ii) Record the names and directions of prescribed controlled substances in the patient’s record;

   5. (E)

      1. (i) A prescriber who has been found by the board to be in violation of a rule or law involving prescription drugs shall be required by the board to register with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and access patient information before writing a prescription for an opioid.
      2. (ii) The board, in its discretion, may remove this requirement after a period of time if the board deems removal of the requirement appropriate;

   6. (F)

      1. (i) Within the first two (2) years of being granted a license in the state, a prescriber shall obtain a minimum of three (3) hours of prescribing education approved by the board.
      2. (ii) The education approved by the board under this subsection shall include:

(b) (b) Information on prescribing rules, regulations, and laws that apply to individuals who are licensed in the state; and

1. (c) (c) Information and instructions on prescribing controlled substances, record keeping, and maintaining safe and professional boundaries;

   1. (G) A prescriber shall check the information in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing:

      1. (i) An opioid from Schedule II or Schedule III for every time prescribing the medication to a patient; and
      2. (ii) A benzodiazepine medication for the first time prescribing the medication to a patient; and
   2. (H) A practitioner who fails to access the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program as required is subject to disciplinary action by the board.
2. (2) This subsection shall apply to all prescribers licensed after December 31, 2015.

(b)

1. (1) Only optometrists certified as optometric physicians, and/or approved by the board, shall apply for and possess a Drug Enforcement Administration number to prescribe controlled substances.

2. (2) Optometrists not specifically approved by the board to prescribe controlled substances cannot:

   1. (A) Apply for, obtain, or possess a Drug Enforcement Administration number; or
   2. (B) Prescribe controlled substances without being in violation of state and federal laws.