It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of optometry in this State unless such person shall be licensed by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry.

1. (1) Any bona fide student of optometry, medicine, or osteopathy in the clinic rooms or an approved program of an accredited school of optometry, medicine or osteopathy;
2. (2) Any commissioned officer in the Armed Services who is engaged in the practice of optometry in the State of South Carolina insofar as such practice is in the performance of his military duties;

3. (3) An individual licensed in another jurisdiction who is in the State of South Carolina to make a clinical demonstration before a professional society, convention, professional association, school or college, or agency of the government.

   Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to (a) physicians authorized to practice under the laws of this State, in the due course of their professional practice, except that they shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 40-37-180, 40-37-190, and the first sentence of Section 40-37-200 and the penalties for violation thereof; (b) persons who sell as merchandise from a regular established place of business ready-made eyeglasses or spectacles if such person shall not aid the purchaser in the fitting thereof.

   "Physicians", as used in this section, shall be construed to mean any person licensed to practice medicine under the provisions of Chapter 47 of this title.

   Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a licensed optician from practicing opticianry as defined by the laws of this State.

This chapter shall not apply to: