An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit the application and fingerprints required by § 20:50:02:02 and pay the application fee for initial licensure pursuant to § 20:50:02:03.01. The application must be supported by written evidence satisfactory to the South Dakota Board of Optometry that the applicant:

1. (1) Is licensed in good standing to practice optometry in a state or territory under United States jurisdiction that required passage of a written, entry-level examination certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry at the time of initial licensure;
2. (2) Has either passed the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease examination or is authorized to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents; and

3. (3) Has been engaged in the practice of optometry for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding application under this section.

   The applicant shall request any optometry licensing agency of any United States jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed, or has ever been licensed to practice optometry, to provide reports directly to the South Dakota Board of Examiners in Optometry describing the applicant's current standing and any past or pending actions taken with respect to the applicant's authority to practice optometry in those jurisdictions.

Source: 6 SDR 66, effective January 8, 1980; 12 SDR 78, effective November 10, 1985; 12 SDR 151, 12 SDR 155, effective July 1, 1986; 21 SDR 35, effective August 30, 1994; 31 SDR 101, effective January 19, 2005; 32 SDR 225, effective July 5, 2006; 34 SDR 323, effective July 2, 2008 ; 46 SDR 119, effective May 4, 2020; 49 SDR 12, effective August 14, 2022; 52 SDR 2, effective July 20, 2025 .

General Authority: SDCL 36-7-15 (2) .

Law Implemented: SDCL 36-7-12.2 , 36-7-13 , 36-7-15 (5) .

Prior versions effective: 2022-08-14, 2020-05-04, 2008-07-02.