Chapter 430-13 LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT

Rule 430-13-.01 Licensure By Endorsement

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:

(a)	An applicant for licensure by endorsement must have been engaged in the active practice of optometry for at least five (5) of the seven (7) years immediately preceding his or her application;

(b)	The applicant must not have committed any act that would constitute a violation of the Georgia State Board of Optometry Laws and Rules and Regulations. 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;

(c)

An applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet all of the qualifications for regular state licensure as set forth in O.C.G.A. 43-30-7(c)(1), (2), (3) and (4), and (d), except that the applicant shall not be required to sit for any portion of the written examination other than the "Laws" portion as required by subparagraph (d)4. of this rule; and

(d)

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

1.	submit all applicable fees provided for in Board Rule 430-12-.01;

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 applicant's license(s) must be in good standing in any states and territories of the United States in which he or she successfully passed an examination for licensure, which states and territories have the same or similar licensing requirements as the State of Georgia;

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 of the Georgia State Board of Optometry.

Rule 430-13-.02 Licensure By Endorsement: Federal Service

The Board will consider applications by Endorsement for military spouses and transitioning service members as defined in O.C.G.A. § 43-1-34 (2017) subject to the following:

(a)

As used in this rule, the following terms shall mean:

1.	"Military" means the United States armed forces, including the National Guard.

2.	"Military spouse" means a spouse of a service member or transitioning service member.

3.	"Service member" means an active or reserve member of the armed forces, including the National Guard.

4.	"Transitioning service member" means a member of the military on active duty status or on separation leave who is within 24 months of retirement or 12 months of separation.

(b)

A military spouse or transitioning service member may qualify for a license or certificate of registration by endorsement where the applicant:

1.	Holds a license in good standing from another state for which the training, experience, and testing substantially meet or exceed the requirements to obtain a license as an Optometrist in Georgia;

2.	Has submitted to the Board a verification of licensure from the appropriate licensing agency referenced in number one (1.) above showing that the applicant's active license is in good standing in that state;

3.	Has submitted documentation satisfactory to the Board which verifies the applicant's status as a military spouse or transitioning service member as defined in O.C.G.A. § 43-1-34;

4.	Has submitted a completed application for licensure by endorsement on a form approved by the Board and has paid the required fee; and

5.	Has taken and passed the Georgia Jurisprudence (Laws and Rules) Examination of the Georgia State Board of Optometry.

(c)

Effective July 1, 2017, military spouses and transitioning service members may qualify for expedited processing of the license application by showing that the applicant is a military spouse or transitioning service member and that the applicant has paid the fee and meets the requirements for a license under the laws and rules for the type of license for which the applicant has applied.

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