Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 239 - Department of Health
Division 01 - Division of Health Related Boards
Rule 239.01.23-001 - Board of Optometry Rule - Chapter I Article IV
Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 239.01.23-001
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
B. Licensure for Uniformed Service Members
Section 1
- Definitions:
A. As used in this chapter, "uniformed
service veteran" means a former member of the United States Uniformed Services
discharged under circumstances other than dishonorable.
B. As used in this chapter, "automatic
licensure" means granting a license to practice optometry without an individual
having met occupational licensure requirements provided under the Arkansas Code
or by other provisions in these rules.
C. As used in this chapter, "uniformed
service member" means an active or reserve component member of the United
States Air Force, United States Army, United States Coast Guard, United States
Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Space Force, or National Guard;
an active component member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps; or an active or reserve component
member of the United States Commissioned Corps of the Public Health
Service.
Section 2
- Licensure:
A. Pursuant to Ark.
Code Ann. §
17-4-101
et seq,
the shall allow the following individuals to secure employment with automatic
licensure if the person is a holder in good standing of an optometry license
with a similar scope of practice issued by another state, territory, or
district of the United States and the person pays the licensure fee in Article
I, Chapter IV, Section 2 :
(1) A uniformed
member stationed in the State of Arkansas
(2) A uniformed service veteran who resides
in or establishes residency in the State of Arkansas; or
(3) The spouse of:
(a) A person under A.
1. or
2. above;
(b) A uniformed service member who is
assigned a tour of duty that excludes the uniformed service member's spouse
from accompanying the uniformed service member and the spouse relocates to this
state; or
(c) A uniformed service
member who is killed or succumbs to his or her injuries or illness in the line
of duty if the spouse establishes residency in the state.
B. When considering an application
for full licensure, certification, or permitting for a uniformed service member
stationed in the State of Arkansas or a uniformed service veteran who resides
in or establishes residency in the State of Arkansas, the Arkansas State Board
of Optometry:
(1) Shall consider whether or
not the applicant's uniformed service education, training, national
certification, service-issued credential and experience in the area of
licensure, certification, or permitting is substantially similar to relevant
and applicable to licensure, certification, or permitting; and
(2) Shall accept the applicant's relevant and
applicable uniformed service education, training, national certification,
service-issued credential, and experience in the area of licensure,
certification, or permitting in lieu of experience or education required for
licensure, certification, or permitting.
C. A license required to enable the holder to
lawfully engage in a profession, trade, or employment in this state held by a
uniformed service member deployed outside the State of Arkansas or his or her
spouse shall not expire until one hundred eighty (180) days following the
uniformed service member's or spouse's return from deployment.
D. Continuing Education
(1) The Board shall exempt from continuing
education required as part of licensure, certification, or permitting for a
profession, trade, or employment in this state for a deployed uniform service
member or spouse until one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date of
the uniformed service member's return from deployment.
(2) Any uniformed service member or spouse
exercising the exemption under this subsection shall provide evidence of
completion of continuing education before the Board renews his or her license,
certificate, or permit or issues a subsequent license, certificate, or
permit.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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