§ 30-8-3 — Definitions

As used in this article:

"Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)" is the accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric residency programs, and optometric technician programs in the United States and Canada and is recognized as an accrediting body by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA);

"Appendages" means the eyelids, the eyebrows, the conjunctiva, and the lacrimal apparatus;

"Applicant" means any person making application for a license, certificate, or temporary permit under the provisions of this article;

"Board" means the West Virginia Board of Optometry;

"Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other entity owned by licensees that practices optometry;

"Certificate" means a prescription certificate issued under §30-8-15 of this code;

"Certificate holder" means a person authorized to prescribe certain drugs under §30-8-15 of this code;

"Examination, diagnosis, and treatment" means a method compatible with accredited optometric education and professional competence pursuant to this article;

"License" means a license to practice optometry;

"Licensee" means an optometrist licensed under the provisions of this article;

"Permittee" means a person holding a temporary permit;

"Practice of optometry" means the examining, diagnosing, and treating of any visual defect or abnormal condition of the human eye or its appendages within the scope established in this article or associated rules and the performance of those procedures taught and trained through schools or colleges of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, or its successors or equivalents;

"Temporary permit" or "permit" means a permit issued to a person who has graduated from an approved school, has taken the examination prescribed by the board, and is awaiting the results of the examination.

Legislative History

2025 Reg. Sess., SB565; 2024 Reg. Sess., HB4783; 2023 Reg. Sess., HB3278; 2010 Reg. Sess., SB230; 2001 Reg. Sess., HB2752; 1970 Reg. Sess., SB20; 1967 Reg. Sess., SB109