PURPOSE: This rule explains the examinations of the State Board of Optometry.

1. (1) Every person applying for licensure as a registered optometrist shall have been graduated from a school of optometry approved by the board prior to taking any practical examination required for licensure.
2. (2) The board currently approves those schools of optometry which are accredited by the Council on Optometric Education.
3. (3) All applicants must pay the application and licensing fees and submit proof of fingerprints to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s approved vendor for both a Missouri State Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint background check. Any fees due for fingerprint background checks shall be paid by the applicant directly to the Missouri State Highway Patrol or its approved vendor.
4. (4) All applicants for a certificate of registration shall pass all parts of the written examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) and shall pass the Clinical Skills and Patient Assessment and Management (PAM) examination known as the Clinical Skills/Patient Care examination administered by the NBEO in July 1991 or later. Each applicant also shall pass an examination on Missouri Optometric law with a score of seventy-five percent (75%) or greater within one (1) year prior to licensure. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
5. (5) In addition to the above requirements, all applicants for a certificate of registration must be certified by the board as qualified to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents in accordance with the guidelines stated in 20 CSR 2210-2.080.

AUTHORITY: sections 336.050, 336.160.1, and 336.220.1, RSMo 2000.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 210-2.020. Original rule filed Dec. 19, 1975, effective Dec. 29, 1975. Amended: Filed Nov. 10, 1976, effective March 11, 1977. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 1979, effective Feb. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed March 13, 1980, effective June 12, 1980. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Oct. 14, 1981, effective Jan. 14, 1982. Amended: Filed Feb. 9, 1982, effective May 13, 1982. Amended: Filed Oct. 12, 1982, effective Jan. 13, 1983. Amended: Filed Feb. 8, 1983, effective May 12, 1983. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 11, 1990, effective Oct. 21, 1990, expired Feb. 17, 1991. Amended: Filed Sept. 5, 1990, effective April 29, 1991. Amended: Filed May 31, 1991, effective Oct. 31, 1991. Amended: Filed Jan. 3, 1992, effective May 14, 1992. Amended: Filed Aug. 11, 1992, effective Feb. 26, 1993. Amended: Filed March 18, 1996, effective Sept. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed March 18, 1996, effective Sept. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed June 28, 2002, effective Dec. 30, 2002. Moved to 20 CSR 2210-2.020, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Nov. 29, 2006, effective May 30, 2007.

*Original authority: 336.050, RSMo 1939; 336.160.1, RSMo 1939, amended 1947, 1963, 1981; and 336.220.1, RSMo 1981, amended 1986, 1993, 1995.