La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LI-507

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section LI-507 - Licensure by Endorsement

A. The board may license by endorsement, an optometrist who holds a license that was obtained by examination from another state or territory of the United States subject to the following conditions.

1. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must have been engaged in the active practice of optometry within 12 months immediately preceding his or her application, except as otherwise provided in R.S. 37:3651 with respect to individuals with military training and/or military spouses. For purposes of this Section, active practice means directly involved with patient care on day to day basis.

2. An applicant will not be considered for licensure by endorsement in the state of Louisiana if he or she has failed the Louisiana practical examination within two years preceding the date on which the application for endorsement is filed.

3. The applicant must not have committed any act that would constitute a material violation of the Louisiana laws and/or LSBOE rules and regulations as determined in the discretion of the board. Furthermore, he or she must not be the subject of any pending or unresolved board action or malpractice in this or any other state or territory;

4. An applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet all of the qualifications for regular state licensure as set forth in R.S. 37:1049 and LAC 46:LI.503, except as otherwise provided by applicable law or regulations of the board, and except that the applicant shall not be required to sit for any portion of the examination required by R.S. 37:1051 other than the laws portion as required by Paragraph E.4 of this Section; provided, however, the waiver provided for by R.S. 37:1054 (endorsement) is within the discretion of the board and the board shall refer to the laws provided for the regulation of the practice of optometry, the public interest, the interest of licensed optometrists and the interest of the applicant in the exercise of this discretion.

a. The board may require satisfactory performance on the clinical/practical examination given by the board for licensure by endorsement pursuant to R.S. 37:1054.

B. As part of the licensure process, the applicant shall complete an application for licensure by endorsement and shall:

1. submit the endorsement license fee ($1,500);

2. cause to be submitted directly from the boards of all states in which the applicant holds a license to practice optometry certification demonstrating his or her good standing. To be considered for licensure by endorsement, an applicants license(s) must be in good standing in all states and territories of the United States in which a license to practice optometry is held;

3. submit official proof documenting his or her compliance with all continuing education requirements imposed by any states or territories in which a license to practice optometry is held; and

4. submit proof that he or she has taken and passed the law portion of the licensing examination required by R.S. 37:1051.

C. In the case of an application for licensure by endorsement by any military personnel applicant, or his or her spouse, pursuant to R.S. 37:3651, said applicant shall:

1. provide the board with official documentation of the applicants credentialing and quality assurance review to satisfy the requirements of Subsection A and Paragraphs E.2, and E.4 of this Section;

2. cause the boards of any state in which he or she is or has been licensed to practice optometry to provide the board with all of the remaining information required by this Section;

3. submit a temporary practice permit fee ($750), which fee shall be credited toward the endorsement license fee ($1,500) upon licensure; and

4. pay all applicable licensing fees.

D. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a temporary practice permit issued pursuant to R.S. 37:3651(D) shall expire on July 31 following the date of issuance of such temporary practice permit.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LI-507

Promulgated by the Department of Health, Board of Optometry Examiners, LR 47239 (2/1/2021).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1048.