CR 19-026 Rule Text

In order to clarify licensure by endorsement, this rule revision:

- Inserts cross-references into s. Opt 4.02 for relevant statutes to implement 2017 Act 278, which made various changes to the circumstances under which a licensing agency may base its decisions on an individual’s criminal history.

- Removes unnecessary notes.

- Simplifies the program approval process. The Board recognizes that programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education are approved for Wisconsin licensees. In order to prevent delays in the process of recognizing accredited programs, the Board is amending chapter Opt 4 to conform with chapter Opt 3 and remove the annual review of accredited programs.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:

None.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states:

Illinois:

For licensure by endorsement, an applicant must submit proof of graduation from an accredited program, or a program recommended by the Illinois Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation for approval. The applicant may also be required to submit proof of five or ten years of practice, depending on when they graduated; education or practice related to pharmaceutical agents, depending on when they graduated; and proof of passage of Parts I, II, and III, including the TMOD, of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam. The Board may waive examination requirements after consideration of additional evidence of education, training, and experience.

Iowa:

For licensure by endorsement, an applicant must have been licensed in another jurisdiction for three years. This requirement may be waived under specific circumstances. The application must include a transcript from an accredited program, successful completion of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam in effect at the time of initial licensure, and verification from other jurisdictions of any disciplinary action taken against the licensee. Additionally, the application must provide information of any civil litigation relating to the practice of optometry. If an applicant is certified by the Council on Endorsed Licensure Mobility for Optometrists (CELMO), then the applicant has fulfilled the education requirement. If an applicant is not CELMO certified, the Board will review the transcript to determine if the education meets specific requirements as outlined in rule.

Michigan:

For licensure by endorsement, an applicant must have graduated from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and successfully completed an examination that assesses the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular diseases with pharmaceutical agents. The applicant must submit proof of license in another jurisdiction with any disciplinary action imposed or pending; achieve a minimum score of 75 on Michigan’s laws and rules related to optometry; and certification to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents.

Minnesota:

For licensure by endorsement, an applicant must have been licensed in another jurisdiction for three years. The applicant must have graduated from a board approved school or college of optometry, pass the required exams of the state where licensed, successfully pass an exam on Minnesota laws, be in good standing both with continuing education requirements and other license requirements. Additionally, the applicant must meet the requirements to prescribe legend drugs, including having completed education, experience, and exam requirements, in accordance with s. 148.575, MN Stats. The applicant may use CELMO documentation to verify these requirements.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:

The Board reviewed their rules to ensure statutory compliance and that the rules are consistent with current practices.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:

The proposed rules were posted for a period of 14 days to solicit public comment on economic impact, including how the proposed rules may affect businesses, local government units, and individuals. No comments were received.

Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:

The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis document is attached.

Effect on small business:

These rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at [e-mail], or by calling [phone].

Agency contact person:

Sharon Henes, Administrative Rule Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 4822 Madison Yards Way, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone [phone]; email at [e-mail].

TEXT OF RULE

Section 1. Opt 4.01 (1), (2), and (6) are amended to read:

Opt 4.01 (1) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry approved and recognized by the board a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Opt 4.01 (2) Has passed the examination of the national board National Board of examiners Examiners in optometry Optometry as required under s. Opt 4.03 (2).

Opt 4.01 (6) Is not aware of Does not have any pending complaints against the applicant or investigations of the applicant that relate to the practice of optometry.

Section 2. Opt 4.01 (Note) is repealed.

Section 3. Opt 4.02 (1) (c) (Note 1) and (Note 2) are repealed.

Section 4. Opt 4.02 (1) (d) is repealed and recreated to read:

Opt 4.02 (1) (d) A certified transcript of the coursework completed by the applicant submitted directly to the board from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Section 5. Opt 4.02 (1) (d) (Note) is repealed.

Section 6. Opt 4.02 (1) (e) (Note) is repealed and recreated to read:

Note: Application forms are available on the department’s website at dsps.wi.gov, or by request from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708, or call [phone]. An otherwise qualified applicant with a disability shall be provided with reasonable accommodations.

Section 7. Opt 4.02 (2) is amended to read:

Opt 4.02 (2) Applicants who have a pending criminal charge or have been convicted of any crime shall provide the board all related information necessary for the board to determine whether the circumstances of the pending criminal charge or conviction are substantially related to the circumstances of the licensed activity, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats.

Section 8. Opt 4.02 (3) is created to read:

Opt 4.02 (3) An application may not be considered by the board until the application is complete, including the requisite application materials under sub. (1), verification of examination scores from the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in accordance with s. Opt 4.03, or any other required information under this chapter.

Section 9. Opt 4.03 (2) (a) and (b) are amended to read:

Opt 4.03 (2) (a) Parts I and II of the national board examination National Board of Examiners in Optometry, if the applicant has engaged in the practice of optometry for at least 5 years prior to January 1, 1996.

(b) Parts I, II, and III of the national board examination National Board of Examiners in Optometry, if the applicant has engaged in the practice of optometry for less than 5 years prior to January 1, 1996, or if the applicant graduated from an approved college of optometry a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education after December 1, 1995.

Section 10. Opt 4.03 (Note) is repealed.