Texas Administrative Code › Title 22 - EXAMINING BOARDS › Part 14 - TEXAS OPTOMETRY BOARD › Chapter 273 - GENERAL RULES › Section 273.15 - Retired License for Volunteer Charity Care

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a)
				Retired License. The Board may issue a Retired License to optometrists or
				therapeutic optometrists whose only practice is volunteer charity care pursuant
				to this section.
(b) Application.
				An optometrist holding a current license may apply for a Retired License by
				submitting to the Board a completed application with the license fee required
				by §
									273.4 of this chapter (relating to
				Fees (Not Refundable)). There is no charge to apply. A Retired License will not
				be issued to applicants subject to current or pending disciplinary action. In
				determining whether to grant retired status, the board shall consider the age,
				years of practice, and status of the license holder at the time of the
				application. Applicants must supply proof that the continuing education
				requirements for a Retired License have been met in §
									275.1(g)(1) of
				this title (relating to General Requirements).
(c) Application by Expired Licensee. A former
				therapeutic optometrist whose license has expired for one year or more may
				apply for a Retired License by submitting to the Board a completed application
				with the license fee required by §
									273.4 of this chapter. There is no
				charge to apply. A Retired License will not be issued to applicants subject to
				current or pending disciplinary action. Applicants must supply proof of having
				met the continuing education requirements of §
									275.1(g)(2) of
				this title. An applicant for a Retired License whose license has been expired
				for five years or more must supply proof of a passing score on the
				jurisprudence examination taken within the one year period prior to the
				submission of the application. In determining whether to grant retired status,
				the Board shall consider the age, years of practice, and status of the license
				holder at the time of the application.
(d) Scope of License. The holder of a Retired
				License may practice optometry or therapeutic optometry in the same manner as
				an active licensee of the Board, subject to the restrictions contained in this
				section. A holder of a Retired License may only practice optometry or
				therapeutic optometry when such practice is without compensation or expectation
				of compensation (except for the reimbursement of travel and supply expenses) as
				a direct service volunteer of a charitable organization.
(e) Charitable Organization. A charitable
				organization includes any bona fide charitable, religious, prevention of
				cruelty to children or animals, youth sports and youth recreational,
				neighborhood crime prevention or patrol, or educational organization (excluding
				fraternities, sororities, and secret societies), or other organization
				organized and operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare by being
				primarily engaged in promoting the common good and general welfare of the
				people in a community, including these types of organizations with a
				§501(c)(3) or (4) exemption from federal income tax, some chambers of
				commerce, and volunteer centers certified by the Department of Public
				Safety.
(f) Renewal. A Retired
				License expires on the same date as a regular license. Prior to renewing the
				license, the licensee must supply proof that the continuing education
				requirements for a Retired License have been met. The license renewal fee is
				set in §
									273.4 of this chapter.
(g) Penalty. The holder of a Retired License
				shall not receive compensation for the practice of optometry. To do so
				constitutes the practice of optometry without a license and subjects the
				optometrist or therapeutic optometrist to the penalties imposed for this
				violation.
(h) Reinstatement of an
				Active License by a Holder of a Retired License. Retired licensees may apply
				for reinstatement by submitting to the Board a completed application with the
				application fee required by §
									273.4 of this chapter. Applicants
				must supply proof that the continuing education requirements for an active
				license have been met.