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OPTOMETRY LAWS OF OKLAHOMA
Title 505:1-1-1 PurposeRULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY (Top of Page) These set out the makeup of the Board, the administration of the Board's duties, the procedure and affect of enacted rules and the procedure for individual proceedings. These rules were enacted so that the Board can carry out its statutory duties. Title 505:1-3-1 General Board Purpose and Method of Operation (Top of Page) The general purpose and method of the Board's operation is prescribed by the Legislature, and the Board acts as the agency in the exercise of the police powers of the State of Oklahoma for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the people of the State, for the purpose of licensing and regulating the practice of Optometry in the State by administrative and disciplinary procedures whereby licenses are issued, denied, suspended or revoked, in accordance with the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act,and to maintain personal data records on each licensee in this State. Title 505:1-3-2 Powers and Duties of the Board (Top of Page) The Board shall have the following powers and duties, which shall include, but not limited to: 1) Conducting examinations required by law to determine the qualifications of persons seeking a license to practice optometry in the State of Oklahoma; 2) To promulgate rules and regulations to control applications for examinations and the taking of examinations and the preparation and grading of examination; 3) To issue, or refuse to issue, a license to practice optometry for any cause specified by law; 4) To revoke or suspend for cause any license issued by the Board, after an opportunity for a hearing has been granted. 5) To design and provide the forms of applications for licenses and the information to be shown thereon, and of all reports which it deems necessary in administering the law; 6) To hire personnel to advise and assist in the performance of its duties; 7) To collect and assess all fees prescribed by law and to deposit said fees in the "Board of Examiners in Optometry Revolving Fund", and to pay from said fund all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of its duties; 8) To maintain personal data records on each applicant or licensee; 9) To maintain proceedings to enjoin persons unlicensed from the practice of Optometry; and 10) To perform any other duties or functions specified by law or deemed necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the laws and rules and regulations governing the practice of Optometry. Title 505:1-3-3 Board Composition and Officers (Top of Page) a) The Oklahoma Board of Examiners in Optometry is an administrative body consisting of five (5) members who are appointed by the Governor. The Board shall elect a President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer. The President shall perform such duties as prescribed by the Board and by law. b) The Oklahoma Board of Examiners in Optometry consists of five (5) members, four (4) of whom shall be optometrists. The term of each licensed Optometrist member of the Board, one (1) being appointed each year, shall be five (5) years, or until a qualified successor is appointed. The lay member of the Board shall serve a term coterminous with that of the governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Title 505:1-3-4 Board Meetings (Top of Page) a) Time and place of meetings. The Board meets quarterly, as official business requires and conducts examinations of applicants for certification as Optometrists. The time and place of a meeting is fixed by a majority of the members of the Board. All Board Meetings comply with the Open Meetings Act. b) Special meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, or whenever petitioned for by members of the Board. c) Quorum. Three (3) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. d) Adoption of Robert’s' Rules of Order. The Board will follow Roberts' Revised Rules of Order at its meetings, whenever any objection is made as to the manner in which it proceeds at a meeting. Title 505:1-3-5 Official Board Records (Top of Page) Information as to the operations or business transacted by the Board can be obtained from any of the five (5) members of the Board, but the official records of the Board are kept at the official office of the Board at such location as the Board may from time to time designate. Title 505:1-3-6 Availability of Records and Manner of Obtaining Information (Top of Page) All files, records, minutes, proceedings, rules and regulations, documents, decisions and opinions, written statements of policy, orders, instructions, and written materials of any other nature required by law to be maintained by the Board are available for public inspection in the Office of the Board. Any person desiring any information concerning the Board, its policies or procedures, or any pertinent information concerning said organization or licensee may make submission or request to the Board, either in person or by regular mail, electronic mail, or facsimile, by directing such submissions or requests to the Office of the Oklahoma Board of Examiners in Optometry, at such location as the Board may from time to time designate. Title 505:1-3-7 Availability of Board Rules, Regulations, Policy Statements (Top of Page) Rules and regulations of the Board will be available in the office of the Board for public inspection from 9:00 o'clock a.m. to 4:00 o'clock p.m., daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays; or on the Board website. All other written statements of policy or interpretations, formulated, adopted, or used by the Board in the discharge of its functions and all final orders, decisions and opinions of the Board will be available in the office of the Board for public inspection from 9:00 o'clock a.m. to 4:00 o'clock p.m., daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Title 505:1-3-8 Office of the Board is deemed to be the Office of the Executive Director (Top of Page) The office of the Board of Examiners in Optometry is deemed to be the office of the Executive Director for all purposes under the rules of the Board. Any applications, pleading, document or other matter which, under the rules of the Board, must be in any way filed with, submitted to, or requested of, the Executive Director shall be addressed to the Executive Director at the Board's office. Similarly, documents or records required to be kept by the Executive Director shall be kept at the Board's office and shall be available to the Executive Director for the performance of his or her duties. (Top of Page) (a) The fee for examination of candidates for persons desiring to commence the practice of optometry is set at $200. This fee shall apply to those initially taking the examination, and to any persons retaking the examination as may be allowed by law or by the rules of the Board. (b) The annual license fee is set at $300.00 for each fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010. |