Colorado § 12-275-110 - Application for license - licensure by endorsement.

§ 12-275-110. Application for license - licensure by endorsement.

(1) A person who desires to practice optometry in the state may file with the board an application for a license, giving the information required in a form and manner approved by the board. The applicant shall demonstrate that the applicant possesses the following qualifications:

(a) The applicant has attained the age of twenty-one years.

(b) The applicant has graduated with the degree of doctor of optometry from a school or college of optometry accredited by a regional or professional accreditation organization that is recognized or approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States secretary of education. The board has the authority, upon its investigation and approval of the standards thereof, to approve any other college of optometry.

(c) The applicant has successfully passed a standardized national examination approved by the board that tests the qualifications of the applicant to practice optometry in the state.

(d) The applicant does not have a substance use disorder, as defined in section 27-81-102, or has not habitually or excessively used or abused alcohol, habit-forming drugs, or controlled substances as defined in section 18-18-102 (5).

(e) After July 1, 1988, the applicant has satisfied the requirements of section 12-275-113 or equivalent requirements approved by the board, including passing a standardized national examination in the treatment and management of ocular disease.

(f) After July 1, 1996, the applicant has satisfied the requirements of section 12-275-113 (4) or equivalent requirements approved by the board, including passing a standardized national examination in the treatment and management of ocular disease.

(2) The board may issue a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of optometry to an applicant who satisfies the requirements of the occupational credential portability program.

(3) A licensee licensed under this section who performs laser procedures or treats ocular adnexa shall demonstrate competency and complete one of the following education and examination requirements prior to performing these procedures:

(a) Graduate from an accredited college or university of optometry in 2019 or later where the laser procedures and ocular adnexa treatments were taught and demonstrate passage of the standardized national examination approved by the board pursuant to subsection (1)(c) of this section; or

(b) Complete a training course approved by the board and satisfactorily complete a proctored clinical session within two years prior to performing laser procedures or treating ocular adnexa. Proctoring may be performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist licensed to perform the procedures in any jurisdiction.

(4) If a licensee has not performed a laser procedure within the past two years, the licensee shall satisfactorily complete another proctored clinical session prior to performing any laser procedures.

(5) A licensee performing the procedures described in subsection (3) of this section shall report to the board any adverse outcomes following each procedure. The licensee shall deliver such reports and any corresponding patient records to the board office within ten days after the date that the licensee is aware of the adverse outcome.

(6) A licensee shall maintain documentation evidencing completion of the requirements of subsections (3), (4), and (5) of this section and shall provide the documentation to the board upon request. Performing any of the procedures described in subsection (3) of this section without meeting the requirements of subsections (3), (4), and (5) of this section may subject the licensee to discipline by the board pursuant to section 12-275-122.

(7) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the requirements of subsections (3), (4), (5), and (6) of this section do not apply to a licensee's performance of the procedures and treatments specified in section 12-275-103 (1)(b)(I), (1)(b)(V), (1)(b)(VI), and (1)(b)(VII).

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1416, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2020: (2) amended, (HB 20-1326), ch. 126, p. 544, § 38, effective June 25; (1)(d) amended, (SB 20-007), ch. 286, p. 1412, § 36, effective July 13. L. 2022: (1)(c) amended and (3) to (7) added, (HB 22-1233), ch. 398, p. 2830, § 5, effective August 10.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-40-108 as it existed prior to 2019.

Cross references: For the short title ("Red Tape Reduction Act") and the legislative declaration in HB 20-1326, see sections 1 and 2 of chapter 126, Session Laws of Colorado 2020.