§ 58-16a-302 — Qualifications for licensure.

An applicant for licensure as an optometrist shall:
(1) submit an application in a form the division approves;
(2) pay a fee as determined by the division under Section 63J-1-504;
(3) (3)(a) (3)(a)(i) be a doctoral graduate of a recognized school of optometry accredited by the American Optometric Association's Accreditation Council on Optometric Education; or
(3)(a)(ii) be a graduate of a school of optometry located outside the United States that meets the criteria that would qualify the school for accreditation under Subsection (3)(a), as demonstrated by the applicant for licensure; or
(3)(b) if the applicant graduated from a recognized school of optometry before July 1, 1996, have successfully completed a course of study satisfactory to the division, in consultation with the board, in general and ocular pharmacology and emergency medical care;
(4) have passed examinations the division, in consultation with the board, approves and that include:
(4)(a) a standardized national optometry examination;
(4)(b) a standardized clinical examination; and
(4)(c) a standardized national therapeutics examination;
(5) meet with the board and representatives of the division, if requested by either party, for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's qualifications for licensure; and
(6) (6)(a) consent to, and complete, a criminal background check, described in Section 58-1-301.5;
(6)(b) meet any other standard related to the criminal background check described in Subsection (6)(a), that the division establishes by rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
(6)(c) disclose any criminal history the division requests on a form the division approves.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 443, 2025 General Session