30 Miss. Code. R. 2901-1.8 - Military Applicant/ Military Spouse

1. The Mississippi State Board of Optometry shall issue a license, certification or registration to a military-trained applicant to allow the applicant to lawfully practice the applicant's occupation in Mississippi pursuant to Section 7319-25, Miss. Code Ann. (1972) as amended. to if, upon application to the Board, the applicant satisfies the following conditions:

(a). Has been awarded a military occupational specialty relating to optometry and has done all of the following at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure, certification or registration of the Board in this state: completed a military program of training, completed testing or equivalent training and experience as determined by the Board, and performed in optometry; and

(b). Has engaged in active practice of optometry for at least two (2) of the five (5) years preceding the date of the application under this section; and

(c). Has not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license to practice optometry in this state at the time that at was committed; and

(d). Pays any fees required by the Board.

2. The Board shall issue a license, certification or registration to a military spouse to allow the military spouse to lawfully practice the military spouse's occupation in Mississippi if, upon application to the Board, the military spouse satisfies the following conditions:

(a). equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure, certification or registration of the Board; and

(b). Can demonstrate competency in optometry through methods as determined by the Board, such as having completed continuing education units or having had recent experience for at least two (2) of the five (5) years preceding the date of the application under this section; and

(c). Has not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license to practice optometry in this state at the time the act was committed; and

(d). Is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that had jurisdiction to issue the license, certification or permit; and

(e). Pays any fees required by the Board.

3. The Board when issuing a license to a military spouse pursuant to Section 73-50-1(3), Miss. Code Ann. as amended shall issue or deny the license within four (4) months of the military spouse's application if the spouse's orders are in Mississippi for thirty-six (36) months or less.

4. All relevant experience of a military service member in the discharge of official duties or, for military spouse, all relevant experience, including full-time and parttime experience, regardless of whether in a paid or volunteer capacity, shall be credited in the calculation of years of practice in an occupation as required under Section 73-50-1(2) (3), Miss. Code Ann. (1972) as amended.

5. A nonresident licensed, certified or registered under this section shall be entitled to the same rights and obligations as required of a resident licensed, certified or registered by the Board.

6. Nothing in this section shall be considered to prohibit a military-trained applicant or military spouse from proceeding under the existing licensure, certification or registration requirements by the Board.

Notes

30 Miss. Code. R. 2901-1.8

Adopted 11/21/2022