in-20251203-IR-852250731NRA: INDIANA OPTOMETRY BOARD

INDIANA OPTOMETRY BOARD Nonrule Policy Document #: 25-731  EXAM EFFECTIVE DATE DATE ADOPTED: 11/20/2024 ADOPTED BY: Indiana Optometry Board by a vote of 4-0-0 NOTICE: Under IC 4-22-7-7, this document is required to be published in the Indiana Register and is effective on its date of publication. It shall remain in effect until the date it is superseded or deleted by the publication of a new document in the Indiana Register. The publication of this document will provide the public with information about the board's official position concerning a specific issue. DISCLAIMER: This non-rule policy document is intended to supplement applicable rules and laws. It does not replace applicable rules and laws and, if it conflicts with these rules or laws, the rules or laws shall control. Decisions made under this non-rule policy document are not subject to review unless such review is separately granted by statute. OVERVIEW To delay the enforcement for the new exam requirements under 852 IAC 1-1.1-4 and 852 IAC 1-2.1-2. BACKGROUND In 2024, the Indiana Optometry Board ("Board") promulgated rules to amend 852 IAC 1-1.1-4 and  852 IAC 1-2.1-2. The amendment requires applicants to submit the official score report from the National Board of Examiners in Optometry ("NBEO"), with passing scores in all parts and examinations offered by the NBEO at the time of graduation from an optometry school that tests clinical optometric procedures taught in accredited schools and colleges of optometry. Previously, applicants were required to submit scores from Part I Applied Basic Science, Part II Patient Assessment & Management, Part III Patient Encounters and Performance Skills, and the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease ("TMOD") examinations. The amended rule now requires applicants to submit passing scores from Parts I, II, III, and TMOD, as well as passing scores from the Injections Skills Examination ("ISE") and the Laser and Surgical Procedures Examination ("LSPE"). Currently, over half of the 2025 graduating class has already traveled to North Carolina to take the currently required Part III exam. Meaning, the amended 852 IAC 1-1.1-4 will require those students to return to North Carolina to take the ISE and LSPE exams required per the amended rule. This will result in students missing clinical training time and incurring additional costs related to travel, food, and lodging. Accordingly, the Board will delay enforcing the new exam requirements that include the ISE and LSPE until September 1, 2026, to allow students additional time to make appropriate plans for the new requirements. Prior to September 1, 2026, applicants will be required to submit passing scores from Parts I, II, III, and TMOD. POLICY Applicants will remain obligated to submit passing scores from Parts I, II, III, and TMOD as listed under 852 IAC 1-1.1-4 and 852 IAC 1-2.1-2. The Board will enforce the new requirement for applicants to submit scores from the ISE and LSPE listed under 852 IAC 1-1.1-4 and 852 IAC 1-2.1-2, as indicated in bold typeface below, on September 1, 2026. 852 IAC 1-1.1-4 Applicant fees, transcripts, examination scores, and photographs for an optometry license Authority: IC 25-24-1-1 Affected: IC 25-24-1-3 (Indiana Optometry Board; 852 IAC 1-1.1-4; filed Jul 29, 1980, 9:35 a.m.: 3 IR 1507; filed Sep 1, 1981, 9:15 a.m.: 4 IR 2026; filed Feb 4, 1986, 2:22 p.m.: 9 IR 1373; errata, 9 IR 2064; filed Feb 13, 1992, 10:00 a.m.: 15 IR 1220; filed Jun 1, 1994, 5:00 p.m.: 17 IR 2333; readopted filed Jul 10, 2001, 3:00 p.m.: 24 IR 4238; filed Jan 16, 2003, 10:46 a.m.: 26 IR 1944; readopted filed Dec 1, 2009, 9:13 a.m.: 20091223-IR-852090781RFA;  readopted filed Jun 16, 2010, 12:14 p.m.: 20100630-IR-852090781RFA; filed Aug 30, 2012, 2:03 p.m.: 20120926-IR-852120164FRA; readopted filed Nov 29, 2018, 10:35 a.m.: 20181226-IR-852180403RFA; readopted filed Jan 2, 2024, 3:48 p.m.: 20240131-IR-852230760RFA) 852 IAC 1-2.1-2 Application file; contents Authority: IC 25-24-1-1 Affected: IC 25-24-1-3 Sec. 2. An applicant for an optometry license by endorsement shall submit the following: (Indiana Optometry Board; 852 IAC 1-2.1-2; filed Jul 29, 1980, 9:35 a.m.: 3 IR 1507; filed Feb 4, 1986, 2:22 p.m.: 9 IR 1374; filed Dec 8, 1987, 9:45 a.m.: 11 IR 1292; filed Feb 13, 1992, 10:00 a.m.: 15 IR 1220; filed Jun 1, 1994, 5:00 p.m.: 17 IR 2334; readopted filed Jul 10, 2001, 3:00 p.m.: 24 IR 4238; readopted filed Jul 19, 2007, 12:56 p.m.: 20070808-IR-852070059RFA; fild Aug 30, 2012, 2:03 p.m. 20120926-IR-852120164FRA; readopted filed Nov 29, 2018, 10:35 a.m.:20181226-IR-852180403RFA; readopted filed Jan 2, 2024, 3:48 p.m.: 20240131-IR-852230760RFA) Replaces Policy Document at: 20241211-IR-852240491NRA and 20241218-IR-852240491NRA