Wyo. Code R. 056-0001-2
Optometry, Board of Examiners in
Chapter 2: Licensure Requirements
Effective Date: 01/18/2005 to 07/15/2005
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 056.0001.2.01182005
(a) As of May 22, 1987 all licenses issued by the Board will contain the letter "T" following the license number. This designates the holder as being qualified and authorized in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents in his/her scope of practice.
(b) Any person licensed by the Board prior to May 22, 1987 who intends to employ diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents is required to complete a one hundred (100) hour course in ocular therapeutics and pass a nationally recognized examination in ocular therapeutics prior to the issuance of a therapeutically designated license.
Section 2. Education Requirement. Every applicant for licensure must be a graduate of a regularly established school or college of optometry requiring not less than four (4) years of instruction in the study of optometry consisting of not less than one thousand (1,000) hours of classroom work each year. The institution must be accredited by the Board and;
(i) A regional or professional accreditation organization which is approved by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation, or
(ii) The United States Office of Education within the Department of Health & Human Services.
Section 3. Examination Requirement. Every applicant for licensure shall have successfully completed an examination which includes the subjects of general anatomy, general mathematics, general optics, theoretical optometry, practical optics, hygiene, optical laboratory work, general physiology, general physics, ocular pathology, theoretical optics, practical optometry, psychology and clinical work, general and ocular diagnostic and therapeutic pharmacology and such other subjects as shall be pertinent to optometry. For the purposes of licensure the Board will require the following in fulfillment of the examination requirement:
(a) Parts one (1), two (2), and three (3), and the treatment and management of ocular disease (TMOD) section, of the Examination as administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry with a passing grade as determined by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
(i) Re-examinations shall be in accordance with the requirements established by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
(b) The State of Wyoming, Board of Examiners in Optometry's examination with an average passing grade of seventy-five percent (75%) in each of the subjects involved.
(i) Successful completion of the State exam is required for all applicants applying for licensure by examination or reciprocity.
(ii) The Board shall administer the State exam once (1) per year.
(iii) Special arrangements may be made with the Board if there is substantial need for the applicant to be examined and/or licensed prior to the next scheduled administration of the exam. The applicant shall bear the cost of administration of a special exam.
(iv) Applicants failing the State examination are entitled to re-examination at the next scheduled administration and shall be examined only in those subjects in which the applicant failed to obtain an average of eighty-five (85) percent.
(A) Arrangements for re-examination shall be made upon payment of the re-examination fee.
(B) If the applicant fails to appear for a scheduled re-examination, the re-examination fee shall be forfeited. The Board may negate forfeiture of the re-examination fees for failure to appear upon application of applicant for good cause shown.
(a) Scope. A Volunteer’s Certificate issued to a retired optometrist shall be used only for volunteer services and not for compensation.
(b) Qualifications. To qualify for a Volunteer’s Certificate, an optometrist shall:
(i) For at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement, either have maintained full licensure in good standing in any jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice as an optometrist or have practiced in good standing as an optometrist in one (1) or more branches of the United States armed services.
(ii) Otherwise qualify for an active general license except that a clinical board examination requirement is waived by the Board.
(iii) Provide proof of completion of required continuing education.
(c) Application for a Volunteer’s Certificate. To apply for a Volunteer’s Certificate to practice optometry, an optometrist shall:
(i) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the Board including:
(A) A copy of the applicant's optometry degree from an accredited optometric school.
(B) One of the following, as applicable:
(I) A copy of the applicant's most recent license authorizing the practice of optometry; or
(II) A copy of the applicant's most recent license or equivalent to a license to practice optometry in one (1) or more branches of the United States armed services issued by the United States government.
(C) Evidence of one (1) of the following, as applicable:
(I) That the applicant has maintained, for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement, full licensure in good standing in any jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice as an optometrist; or
(II) That the applicant has practiced for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement in good standing as an optometrist in one (1) or more of the branches of the United States armed services; and
(D) A notarized statement from the applicant, on a form prescribed by the Board, that the applicant;
(I) Will not accept any form of remuneration for any optometric services rendered while in possession of a Volunteer's Certificate;
(II) Will devote his/her practice exclusively and totally to providing optometry services to low income, uninsured persons at a non-profit health care facility in this state; and
(III) Will provide any other documentation that the Board may reasonably require.
(d) Expiration Date of Certificate. A Volunteer's Certificate to practice optometry shall expire on December 31 following the effective date of the Certificate.
(e) Renewal of Certificate. A Volunteer's Certificate to practice optometry may be renewed for an additional year if:
(i) A completed renewal form provided by the Board is submitted;
(ii) Continuing education requirements for an active general license to practice optometry in the state have been completed;
(iii) The applicant has conformed to the standards set forth in Chapter 6, Section 1 (a) (b) (c) (d) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) (xi) (xii) (xiii) (xiv) (xv) (xvi) (xvii) as they apply to optometry.
(f) Violations. Violations of this Chapter pertaining to a Volunteer’s Certificate shall constitute unprofessional conduct and may result in a suspension or revocation of the certificate as set forth in Chapter 8 of these rules.
(a) Every applicant for licensure or volunteer certificate shall not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or controlled substances which may impair the applicant’s ability to provide competent health care or which could pose a threat to the safety of the consumer public. A plea of nolo contendere shall create a presumption of guilt to the underlying criminal charges.