Chapter 430-13 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. |
|
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. |