Optometry, Board of Examiners in

Optometry, Board of Examiners in

Chapter 2: Requirements for Licensure

Effective Date: 04/05/2023 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 056.0001.2.04052023

CHAPTER 2

REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

Section 1. Authority. The Board is authorized under Wyoming Statute 33-23-109(a) and -116 to promulgate rules and regulations related to the application, licensure, and renewal procedures to practice optometry in Wyoming.

Section 2. Application Status.

1. (a) For those applicants seeking licensure, competency shall be met during the timeframe identified immediately prior to submitting a completed application.
2. (b) Applications shall be deemed “complete” when all necessary documentation has been received by the Board office.
3. (c) Applications shall expire one year after submission. If an application expires, an applicant shall submit a new application, including payment of fee.

Section 3. ARC Review of Applications. An applicant for licensure shall have committed no acts that are grounds for disciplinary action, or if the act was committed, the ARC has found after investigation that sufficient restitution has been made and the applicant no longer presents a threat to the public safety.

Section 4. Jurisprudence Examination.

1. (a) To successfully pass the jurisprudence examination, the applicant shall score at least 75%.
2. (b) Applicants that fail the examination shall wait one (1) week to retest.

Section 5. Licensure by Examination.

1. (a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek licensure by examination if the applicant is not licensed to practice in another jurisdiction, or if licensed in another jurisdiction but that jurisdiction’s licensure requirements are not equivalent to Wyoming, or if the applicant fails to meet other licensure methods.
2. (b) Applicant Requirements. Applicant shall:
3. (i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee;
4. (ii) Submit acceptable fingerprint cards;

(iii) Request an official transcript from the optometry college or university to be sent directly to the Board Office;

(iv) Request a verification of successful passage of parts one (1), two (2) including passage of Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease, and three (3) of the examination administered by NBEO to be sent directly to the Board Office; and

(v) Successfully pass the jurisprudence examination.

(vi) If the applicant has been out of clinical practice or instruction for five (5) or more years, the applicant shall submit the following evidence to demonstrate competency:

(A) Complete parts one (1), two (2) including passage of Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease, and three (3) of the examination administered by NBEO in the last five (5) years; or

(B) Complete twenty (20) hours of CE each year that meets the criteria in Chapter 3, Section 3 for the last five (5) years.

Section 6. Licensure by Endorsement.

(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek licensure by endorsement if the applicant is currently licensed in another United States or Canadian jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements as Wyoming and who meets Wyoming requirements for licensure by endorsement.

(b) Application Requirements. An applicant shall:

(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee;

(ii) Submit acceptable fingerprint cards;

(iii) Successfully pass the jurisprudence examination; and

(iv) Submit verification of licensure where the applicant holds an active license in another jurisdiction with licensure requirements as stringent as Wyoming.

Section 7. Licensure by CELMO Endorsement.

(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek licensure by CELMO endorsement if the applicant currently holds a CELMO Certificate issued by the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry.

(b) Application Requirements. An applicant shall:

(i) Submit a completed application and payment of fee;

(ii) Submit acceptable fingerprint cards;

(iii) Successfully pass the jurisprudence examination; and

(iv) Submit a copy of their CELMO Certificate.

Section 8. License Type Designation. All licenses issued by the Board will contain the letter “T” following the license number to designate the holder as being qualified and authorized to use diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents in his/her practice.