Rule 430-2-.08 - Volunteers in Optometry(1) The Board shall issue a volunteer license to optometrists who: (a) Submits an application for a volunteer license to the Board; and(b) Holds a current, unrestricted license in good standing to practice optometry in any licensing jurisdiction of the United States; or if the applicant is retired from the practice of optometry and not currently engaged in such practice either full time or part time and has, prior to retirement, maintained full, unrestricted licensure in good standing in any licensing jurisdiction of the United States.(2) The volunteer licensee shall be permitted to practice optometry only in the noncompensated employ of public agencies or institutions, not for profit agencies, not for profit institutions, nonprofit corporations, or not for profit associations which provide health care specialty services only to indigent patients in areas which are underserved by that specialty or critical need population areas of the state, as determined by the Board, or pursuant to Article 8 of Chapter 8 of Title 31.(3) The person applying for the volunteer license under this Code section shall submit to the Board a copy of his or her health care specialty degree, a copy of his or her health care specialty license in his or her current or previous licensing and regulating jurisdiction, and a notarized statement from the employing agency, institution, corporation, association, or health care program on a form prescribed by that board, whereby he or she agrees unequivocally not to receive compensation for any health care specialty services he or she may render while in possession of the special license;(4) Any applicant for a volunteer license who has not been actively engaged in the direct observation and treatment of patients within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of application may, at the Board's discretion, be required to pass an examination administered by the Board or a testing agency designated and approved by the Board;(5) If the Board determines that an applicant has demonstrated an inability to practice optometry with reasonable skill and safety to the public, and reasonable grounds exist to inquire into an applicant's mental and physical capacity, the applicant may be asked to submit a statement from a physician attesting to the applicant's physical and mental capacity;(6) If the applicant is not in compliance with the continuing education requirements established by the Board at the time application is made for the volunteer license, the applicant may be issued a nonrenewable temporary license to practice for six months provided the applicant is otherwise qualified for such license. During the period of time the licensee maintains such license, the licensee must comply with the continuing education requirements established by the Board;(7) There shall be no application or licensing fee for initial issuance of a volunteer license;(8) Volunteer licenses shall expire at the close of December 31st in all odd-numbered years. Fees for license renewal shall be assessed as shown on the schedule of fees adopted by the Board;(9) Any other provisions of Chapter 30, Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated not inconsistent with the intent and purpose of the Georgia Volunteers in Health Care Specialties Act, O.C.G.A. 43-1-28, shall be fully applicable to all licensed optometrists.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 430-2-.08
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-19(a)(10), 43-1-25, 43-1-28, 43-1-28(c)(1), (2), 43-1-28(d), 43-1-28(e), 43-1-28(f), 43-1-28(g), 43-30-5, 43-30-8.
Original Rule entitled "Volunteers in Optometry" adopted. F. Apr. 26, 2006; eff. May 16, 2006.Amended: F. Sep. 2, 2022; eff. Sep. 22, 2022.