Nevada 2025 Regular Session Status: Enacted 1 R cosponsors

AB 183 — Revises provisions relating to optometry. (BDR 54-151)

Last action — Approved by the Governor. Chapter 111.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 03, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Joe Lombardo (Republican) on May 29, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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Prognosis

Advancing 52% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

407 added · 428 removed

407 line(s) added, 428 removed.

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(Reprinted with amendments adopted on April 21, 2025) FIRST REPRINT A.B.
Assembly Bill No.
183 A SSEMBLY BILL NO .
183–Assemblymember Koenig CHAPTER..........
183–ASSEMBLYMEMBER K OENIG PREFILED F EBRUARY 3, 2025 ____________ Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to optometry.
(BDR 54-151) FISCAL NOTE:
Effect on Local Government:
No.
Effect on the State:
Yes.
~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;
matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
revising the requirements for the governing the issuance of certain certificates by theions Board;
revising the requirements for the issuance of a license by endorsement;
revising provisions governing the issuance of certain certificates by the Board;
- *AB183_R1* – 2 – LegExisting law governs the practice of optometry, including, without limitation, the licensing of optometrists by the Nevada State Board of Optometry.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
(Chapter 636 of NRS) Section 2 of this bill provides that:
Existing law governs the practice of optometry, including, without limitation, of NRS) Section 2 of this bill provides that:
Section 3 of this bill establishes procedures by which the Board may summarily suspend the license of a licensee to practice optometry under certain cirSection 5 of this bill revises the definition of the term “pharmaceutical agent” for the purposes of provisions governing the practice of optometry to specify that the term includes any drug subject to certain provisions restricting the prescription of controlled substances or added to schedule III, schedule IV or schedule V by the State Board of Pharmacy by regulation.
Section 3 of this bill establishes procedures by which the Board may circumstances.end the license of a licensee to practice optometry under certain Section 5 of this bill revises the definition of the term “pharmaceutical agent” for the purposes of provisions governing the practice of optometry to specify that the term includes any drug subject to certain provisions restricting the prescription of controlled substances or added to schedule III, schedule IV or schedule V by the StaSection 6 of this bill increases the number of members of the Nevada State Board of Optometry from four members to five.
Section 6 of this bill increases the number of members of the Nevada State Board of Optometry from four members to five.
(1) three members who are licensed to practice optometry in this State and are actually engaged in that 636.035) Section 7 of this bill increases the number of members who are licensees who the Governor must appoint from three members to four members.
(1) three members who are licensed to practice optometry in this State and are actually engaged in that practice;
Existing law authorizes the Board to issue a license by endorsement to certain persons who hold a corresponding valid, active and unrestricted license to engage in the practice of optometry in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States and who meet certain other requirements.
and (2) one member who is a representative of the general public.
(NRS 636.206) Section 8 of this bill requires an applicant for a license by endorsement to submit to the Board with his or her application proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has passed each part of the comprehensive national optometry examination prerequisite to the issuance of the applicant’s corresponding, valid, active and a unrestricted license from the other jurisdiction.
(NRS 636.035) Section 7 of this bill increases the number of members who are licensees who the Governor must appoint from three members to four members.
- 83rd Session (2025) – 2 – Existing law authorizes the Board to issue a license by endorsement to certain persons who hold a corresponding valid, active and unrestricted license to engage in the practice of optometry in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States and who meet certain other requirements.
(NRS 636.206) Section of this bill requires an applicant for a license by endorsement to submit to the Board with his or her application proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry or its successor as a prerequisite to the issuance of the applicant’s corresponding, valid, active and unrestricted license from the other jurisdiction.
prescribe certain pharmaceutical agents from prescribing a controlled substance unless certain conditions are satisfied, including, without limitation, the requirement that the optometrist prescribes the controlled substance in an amount that does not exceed 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day and will not last more than 72 hours.
Existing law prohibits an optometrist who is certified to administer and prescribe certain pharmaceutical agents from prescribing a controlled substance unless certain conditions are satisfied, including, without limitation, the requirement that the optometrist prescribes the controlled substance in an amount that does not exceed 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day and will not last more than 72 hours.
(NRS 636.2882) Section 9.5 of this bill specifies that this requirement is applicable only to the prescription of a narcotic opioid analgesic.
(NRS 636.2882) Section 9.5 of this bill specifies that this requExisting law requires the Board to adopt regulations that prescribe thelgesic.
Existing law requires the Board to adopt regulations that prescribe the requirements for the issuance of a certificate to treat persons diagnosed with glaucoma.
requirements for the issuance of a certificate to treat persons diagnosed with glaucoma.
Existing law requires those requirements to include, among other treated at least 15 persons who were diagnosed with glaucoma by anertificate has ophthalmologist licensed in this State.
Existing law requires those requirements to include, among other requirements, proof that each optometrist who applies for such a certificate has treated at least 15 persons who were diagnosed with glaucoma by an ophthalmologist licensed in this State.
- *AB183_R1* – 3 – Existing law requires the Board to cause any complaint filed with the Board to be investigated if the Executive Director of the Board determines the complaint is not frivolous and alleges on or more grounds for disciplinary action.
Existing law requires the Board to cause any complaint filed with the Board to be investigated if the Executive Director of the Board determines the complaint is not frivolous and alleges on or more grounds for disciplinary action.
Existing law provides that a person who is licensed to practice optometry this State subject to the provisions of that chapter.
Existing law provides that a person who is licensed to practice optometry pursuant to chapter 636 of NRS is authorized and entitled to practice optometry in this bill clarifies that the practice of optometry includes optometric telemedicine.
(NRS 636.345) Section 12 ofn this bill clarifies that the practice of optometry includes optometric telemedicine.
Existing law requires a licensee to report to the Board within 30 days the license, certificate or registration to practice any occupation or profession issued by any other jurisdiction.
Existing law requires a licensee to report to the Board within 30 days the revocation, suspension or surrender of, or any disciplinary action taken against, a license, certificate or registration to practice any occupation or profession issued by any other jurisdiction.
(NRS 636.371) Section 14 of this bill provides an exception to this duty, providing that a licensee is not required to report to the Board an administrative fine imposed by a regulatory board or other equivalent administrative body of any other jurisdiction if:
(NRS 636.371) Section 14 of this bill provides an exception to this duty, providing that a licensee is not required to report to the Board an - 83rd Session (2025) – 3 – administrative fine imposed by a regulatory board or other equivalent administrative body of any other jurisdiction if:
(NRS 636.398) Section 15 of this bill authorizes a guardian or guardian ad litem who is appointed for a licensed optometrist who is permanently incapacitated and was the sole owner of an optometry practice to own the practice without holding a license to practice guardianship.this State for not more than 1 year after the appointment of Existing law authorizes the Board to issue a citation to a licensee or other person who violates certain provisions of law governing the practice of optometry.
(NRS 636.398) Section 15 of this bill authorizes a guardian or guardian ad litem who is appointed for a licensed optometry practice to own the practice without holding a license to practice optometry in this State for not more than 1 year after the appointment of guardianship.
(NRS 636.420) Section 16 of this bill authorizes the issuance of a citation only for violations not involving:
Existing law authorizes the Board to issue a citation to a licensee or other person who violates certain provisions of law governing the practice of optometry.
(1) the care of a patient;
(NRS 636.420) Section 16 of this bill authorizes the issuance of a citation only for conduct.
or (2) unethical or unprofessional conduct.
Section 16 also provides that the issuance of a citation and the impositionnal of an administrative fine against a licensee for certain violations:
Section 16 also provides that the issuance of a citation and the imposition of an administrative fine against a licensee for certain violations:
THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:D IN Section 1.
EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;
matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
- *AB183_R1* – 4 – 2.
2.
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An order of summary suspension may be issued only by the Board, the President of the Board, the presiding officer of an investigative committee convened by the Board to conduct the investigation or the member of the Board who conducted the investigation.
An order of summary suspension may be issued only by the Board, the President of the Board, the presiding officer of an investigative - 83rd Session (2025) – 4 – committee convened by the Board to conduct the investigation or the member of the Board who conducted the investigation.
If an order to summarily suspend the license of a licensee is issued pursuant to subsection 1 by the President of the Board, the presiding officer of an investigative committee of the Board or a member of the Board, that person shall not participate in any further proceedings of the Board relating to the order.
If an order to summarily suspend the license of a licensee is issued pursuant to subsection 1 by the President of the Board, a member of the Board, that person shall not participate in anyd or further proceedings of the Board relating to the order.
636.0215 “Pharmaceutical agent” means any topical or oral drug used or prescribed by a licensee for the examination, management or treatment of an abnormality, disease or condition of the eye or its appendages, including, without limitation, any [analgesic] drug subject to the requirements of NRS 636.2882 or added to schedule III, schedule IV or schedule V by the State Board of Pharmacy by regulation pursuant to NRS 453.146.
636.0215 “Pharmaceutical agent” means any topical or oral drug used or prescribed by a licensee for the examination, management or treatment of an abnormality, disease or condition of the eye or its appendages, including, without limitation, any [analgesic] drug subject to the requirements of NRS 636.2882 or added to schedule III, schedule IV or schedule V by the State Board not include any drug or other substance added to schedule I ores schedule II by the State Board of Pharmacy pursuant to that section.
The term does not include any drug or other substance added to schedule I or schedule II by the State Board of Pharmacy pursuant to that section.
Sec.
- *AB183_R1* – 5 – Sec.
2.
- 83rd Session (2025) – 5 – (a) Is the owner or co-owner of, a stockholder in, or a member of the faculty or board of directors or trustees of, any school of optometry;
A person shall not be appointed if he or she:
(a) Is the owner or co-owner of, a stockholder in, or a member of the faculty or board of directors or trustees of, any school of optometry;
An applicant for a license by endorsement pursuant to this section must submit to the Board with his or her application:
An applicant for a license by endorsement pursuant to this sec(a) Proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:on:
(a) Proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:
- *AB183_R1* – 6 – [(5)] (6) Has not been disciplined and is not currently under investigation by the corresponding regulatory authority of the District of Columbia or any state or territory in which the applicant currently holds or has held a license to engage in the practice of optometry;
[(5)] (6) Has not been disciplined and is not currently under investigation by the corresponding regulatory authority of the currently holds or has held a license to engage in the practice ofant optometry;
3.
- 83rd Session (2025) – 6 – 3.
Not later than 15 business days after receiving an application for a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of optometry pursuant to this section, the Board shall provide written notice to the applicant of any additional information required by the Board to consider the application.
Not later than 15 business days after receiving an application for a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of optometry pursuant to this section, the Board shall provide written notice to the applicant of any additional information required by the Board to good cause, the Board shall approve the application and issue aon for license by endorsement to engage in the practice of optometry to the applicant not later than 45 days after receiving the application.
Unless the Board denies the application for good cause, the Board shall approve the application and issue a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of optometry to the applicant not later than 45 days after receiving the application.
636.2882 An optometrist who is certified to administer and prescribe a pharmaceutical agent pursuant to NRS 636.288 shall not prescribe a controlled substance unless the optometrist:
prescribe a pharmaceutical agent pursuant to NRS 636.288 shall not prescribe a controlled substance unless the optometrist:
[Prescribes] If prescribing a controlled substance that is narcotic opioid analgesic, prescribes the controlled substance in an - *AB183_R1* – 7 – amount that does not exceed 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day and will not last more than 72 hours;
[Prescribes] If prescribing a controlled substance that is narcotic opioid analgesic, prescribes the controlled substance in an amount that does not exceed 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day and will not last more than 72 hours;
636.2893 The Board shall adopt regulations that prescribe the requirements for the issuance of a certificate to treat persons diagnosed with glaucoma pursuant to NRS 636.2895.
636.2893 The Board shall adopt regulations that prescribe the requirements for the issuance of a certificate to treat persons - 83rd Session (2025) – 7 – diagnosed with glaucoma pursuant to NRS 636.2895.
The successful completion of the “Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease Examination” administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry or an equivalent examination approved by the Board;
The successful completion of the “Treatment and National Board of Examiners in Optometry or an equivalent the examination approved by the Board;
If the Executive Director determines that the complaint is not frivolous and alleges one or more of the grounds for disciplinary action set forth in NRS 636.295, the Board, through the Executive Director, shall cause the complaint to be investigated.
If the Executive Director determines that the complaint is not frivolous and alleges one or more of the grounds for disciplinary action set forth in NRS 636.295, the Board, through the Executive Dir3.torThe Board may issue orders to aid an investigation conducted pursuant to subsection 2, including, without limitation, an order compelling a licensee to appear before the Board or an investigative committee of the Board.
3.
The Board may issue orders to aid an investigation conducted pursuant to subsection 2, including, without limitation, an order compelling a licensee to appear before the Board or an investigative committee of the Board.
- *AB183_R1* – 8 – Sec.
Sec.
In any setting where optometry , including, without limitation, optometric telemedicine, is practiced, an assistant may fit ophthalmic lenses or spectacle lenses if the assistant acts under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist.
In any setting where optometry , including, without limitation, optometric telemedicine, is practiced, an - 83rd Session (2025) – 8 – assistant acts under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist.
(e) Use an ophthalmic device or oversee ocular exercises, visual training, visual therapy or visual rehabilitation as directed by a licensed optometrist.
training, visual therapy or visual rehabilitation as directed by al licensed optometrist.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a licensee shall report to the Board within 30 days the revocation, suspension or surrender of, or any other disciplinary action taken against, a license, certificate or registration to practice any occupation or profession issued to the licensee by another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign country.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a licensee shall report to the Board within 30 days the revocation, suspension or surrender of, or any other disciplinary action taken against, a license, certificate or registration to practice any occupation or profession issued to the licensee by another state or country.y of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign 2.
2.
A licensee is not required to report to the Board an administrative fine imposed against the licensee by a regulatory board or other equivalent administrative body of another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign country if:
A licensee is not required to report to the Board an administrative fine imposed against the licensee by a regulatory board or other equivalent administrative body of another state or - *AB183_R1* – 9 – territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign country if:
and (b) The regulatory board or administrative body that imposed the administrative fine did not issue an order of formal disciplinary action relating to the act or acts which served as the basis for the fine.
and - 83rd Session (2025) – 9 – (b) The regulatory board or administrative body that imposed the administrative fine did not issue an order of formal disciplinary action relating to the act or acts which served as the basis for the fine.
Sec.
636.398 1.RS 63For not more than 1 year after the death of a licensee who is the sole owner of an optometry practice, a surviving member of the licensee’s family may own the optometry practice without being licensed pursuant to this chapter.
15.
NRS 636.398 is hereby amended to read as follows:
636.398 1.
For not more than 1 year after the death of a licensee who is the sole owner of an optometry practice, a surviving member of the licensee’s family may own the optometry practice without being licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Not later than 1 year after his or her appointment, transfer ownership of the optometry practice to a licensee or dissolve the optometry practice.
(b) Not later than 1 year after his or her appointment, transfer ownership of the optometry practice to a licensee or dissolve the opt3.
3.
After providing notice and a hearing pursuant to chapter 622A of NRS, the Board may impose an administrative fine of not more than $5,000 for each violation against a person licensed - *AB183_R1* – 10 – under this chapter who engages in any conduct constituting grounds for disciplinary action set forth in NRS 636.295.
After providing notice and a hearing pursuant to chapter 622A of NRS, the Board may impose an administrative fine of not more than $5,000 for each violation against a person licensed under this chapter who engages in any conduct constituting grounds for disciplinary action set forth in NRS 636.295.
2.
- 83rd Session (2025) – 10 – 2.
The citation may contain an order to pay an administrative fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation or, for a violation described in subsection 1, $5,000 for each such violation.
The citation may contain an order to pay an administrative fine of in subsection 1, $5,000 for each such violation.
A citation issued pursuant to this subsection must be in writing, describe with particularity the nature of the violation and inform the person of the provisions of this subsection.
A citation issuedbed pursuant to this subsection must be in writing, describe with particularity the nature of the violation and inform the person of the provisions of this subsection.
Each activity in which the person is may be issued.
Each activity in which the person is engaged constitutes a separate offense for which a separate citation may be issued.
To appeal a citation, the person must submit to theon Board a written request for a hearing not later than 30 days after the date of issuance of the citation.
To appeal a citation, the person must submit to the Board a written request for a hearing not later than 30 days after the date of issuance of the citation.
H - *AB183_R1*
~~~~~ 25 - 83rd Session (2025)
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Amendments

1 amendment

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Action History

  1. Approved by the Governor. Chapter 111.

  2. Enrolled and delivered to Governor.

  3. In Assembly. To enrollment.

  4. Read third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 21, Nays: None.) To Assembly.

  5. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

  6. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

  7. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

  8. Read second time.

  9. From committee: Do pass.

  10. In Senate. Read first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To committee.

  11. From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint. To Senate.

  12. Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 42, Nays: None.) To printer.

  13. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. Placed on Second Reading File. Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 67.) Dispensed with reprinting.

  14. From printer. To committee.

  15. Read first time. To printer.

  16. Prefiled. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 66 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (66)

66 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors AB 183?
AB 183 is sponsored by Koenig, Gregory S. (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 183?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 03, 2025. Enacted.
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