(A)The state vision professionals board may issue a certificate of licensure by endorsement to an individual licensed as an optometrist by a Canadian province if the board determines that the province has standards for the practice of optometry that are at least as stringent as the standards established under sections4725.01to4725.34of the Revised Code and the individual meets the conditions specified in division (B) of this section. The certificate of licensure may be issued only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the board's members.
(B)An individual seeking a certificate of licensure pursuant to division (A) of this section shall submit an application to the board. To receive the certificate of licensure, an applicant must meet all of the following conditions:
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(A) The state vision professionals board may issue a certificate of licensure by endorsement to an individual licensed as an optometrist by a Canadian province if the board determines that the province has standards for the practice of optometry that are at least as stringent as the standards established under sections4725.01to4725.34of the Revised Code and the individual meets the conditions specified in division (B) of this section. The certificate of licensure may be issued only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the board's members.
(B) An individual seeking a certificate of licensure pursuant to division (A) of this section shall submit an application to the board. To receive the certificate of licensure, an applicant must meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Meet the same qualifications that an individual must meet under divisions (B)(1) to (3) of section4725.12of the Revised Code to receive a certificate of licensure under that section;
(2) Be licensed to practice optometry by a Canadian province that requires passage of a written, entry-level examination at the time of initial licensure;
(3) Be licensed in good standing by the optometry licensing agency of the province, evidenced by submission of a letter from the licensing agency of the province attesting to the applicant's good standing;
(4) Provide the board with certified reports from the optometry licensing agencies of all provinces in which the applicant is licensed or has been licensed to practice optometry describing all past and pending actions taken by those agencies with respect to the applicant's authority to practice optometry in those jurisdictions, including such actions as investigations, entering into consent agreements, suspensions, revocations, and refusals to issue or renew a license;
(5) Have been actively engaged in the practice of optometry, including the use of therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, for at least three years immediately preceding making application under this section;
(6) Pay the nonrefundable application fee established under section4725.34of the Revised Code for a certificate of licensure;
(7) Submit all transcripts, reports, or other information the board requires;
(8) Participate in a two-hour instruction session provided by the board on the optometry statutes and rules of this state or pass an Ohio optometry jurisprudence test administered by the board;
(9) Pass all or part of the licensing examination accepted by the board under section4725.11of the Revised Code, if the board determines that testing is necessary to determine whether the applicant's qualifications are sufficient for issuance of a certificate of licensure under this section;
(10) Not have been previously denied issuance of a certificate of licensure by the board.
(C) The board shall issue a certificate of licensure in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:
(1) The applicant holds a certificate or license in another state.
(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter in the practice of optometry in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.
The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated inR.C. 1.52(B)that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
Last updated December 29, 2023 at 6:56 AM