The practice of optometry in the state of Colorado is declared to affect the public health and safety and is subject to regulation and control in the public interest. Optometry is declared to be a learned profession, and it is further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern that the practice of […]
Articles 1, 20, and 30 of this title 12 apply, according to their terms, to this article 275. Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1410, § 1, effective October 1.
As used in this article 275, the “practice of optometry” means the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions of the vision system, eyes, and adjacent and associated structures, including the use or prescription of lenses, prisms, vision therapy, vision rehabilitation, and prescription or nonprescription drugs including schedule II controlled narcotic substances […]
The term “proprietor”, as used in this article 275, includes any person, group, association, or corporation not licensed under this article 275 who: For financial gain, employs optometrists in the operation of an optometry office; Places, directly or indirectly, in possession of an optometrist such materials or equipment as may be necessary for the operation […]
It shall be unlawful for any person to practice optometry in this state except those who are duly licensed optometrists pursuant to the provisions of this article 275. A person licensed as an optometrist pursuant to the provisions of this article 275 may use the title “optometrist”, the initials “O.D.”, or the term “doctor of […]
This article 275 does not apply to: Professional practice by a physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine under the laws of the state of Colorado and ancillary or technical assistants working under the direction of a licensed physician or surgeon, with the exception of the fitting of contact lenses that must be done under […]
The state board of optometry, referred to in this article 275 as the “board”, is hereby created and is under the supervision and control of the division as provided by section 12-20-103 (2). The board consists of five optometrists and two members-at-large, to be appointed by the governor to serve for terms of four years; […]
In addition to all other powers and duties conferred upon the board by this article 275, the board has the following powers and duties: To determine acceptability of scores from tests administered by any approved or accredited national testing organization; To adopt rules pursuant to section 12-20-204. The board shall set the passing score of […]
A person licensed to practice optometry pursuant to this article 275 may apply to the board for volunteer licensure status. The board shall designate the form and manner of the application. The board may: Grant the application by issuing a volunteer license; or Deny the application if the licensee has been disciplined for any of […]
A person who desires to practice optometry in the state may file with the board an application for a license, giving the information required in a form and manner approved by the board. The applicant shall demonstrate that the applicant possesses the following qualifications: The applicant has attained the age of twenty-one years. The applicant […]
On and after July 1, 1988, a person who is licensed under this article 275 as an optometrist on June 30, 1988, and who is otherwise qualified under this article 275 may use prescription or nonprescription drugs for examination purposes. However, the optometrist may use prescription or nonprescription drugs for treatment of eye disease or […]
The applicant shall take and submit test scores from the board-approved exam. The examination shall be of such a character as to test the qualifications of the applicant to practice optometry. Each person who makes a passing grade on the practical and clinical examination and who is otherwise qualified shall be granted a license signed […]
Notwithstanding section 12-280-120, a licensed optometrist may purchase, possess, and administer prescription or nonprescription drugs for examination purposes only if, after July 1, 1983, the optometrist has complied with the following minimum requirements: Successful completion, by attendance and examination, of at least fifty-five classroom hours of study in general, ocular, and clinical pharmacology that must […]
An optometrist licensed under this article 275 may advise the optometrist’s patients of their option to have the symptom or purpose for which a prescription is being issued included on the prescription order. An optometrist’s failure to advise a patient under subsection (1) of this section shall not be grounds for any disciplinary action against […]
Licenses issued under this article 275 are subject to the renewal, expiration, reinstatement, and delinquency fee provisions specified in section 12-20-202 (1) and (2). Any person whose license has expired shall be subject to the penalties provided in this article 275 or section 12-20-202 (1). The board shall establish a questionnaire to accompany the renewal […]
Every person licensed under this article 275 shall notify the board in writing within thirty days of any change in mailing address. Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1420, § 1, effective October 1. Editor’s note: This section is similar to former § 12-40-114 as it existed prior […]
Every practitioner of optometry shall post and keep conspicuously displayed his or her license in the office wherein the optometrist practices. If an optometrist practices at several locations in the state, the optometrist shall display his or her license number and name in a manner that can be easily recognized by his or her patients. […]
The board shall keep a record of all persons to whom licenses have been granted under this article 275. A copy of the records, certified by the board, shall be admitted in any of the courts of this state, in lieu of the originals, as prima facie evidence of the facts contained in the records. […]
No person shall interfere with any patient’s exercise of free choice in the selection of practitioners licensed to perform examinations for refractions and visual training or corrections within the field for which their respective licenses entitle them to practice. An optometrist shall release to a patient all medical records pursuant to section 25-1-802. The optometrist […]
The term “unprofessional conduct”, as used in this article 275, means: Deceiving or attempting to deceive the board or its agents with reference to any proper matter under investigation by the board; Publishing or circulating, directly or indirectly, any fraudulent, false, deceitful, or misleading claims or statements relating to optometry services or ophthalmic materials or […]
