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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: RAGE 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 25-2-3-0 |
SB 1023: optometrists; eye exams; prescriptions
Sponsor: Senator Kavanagh, LD 3
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Establishes standards for optometrists to conduct eye examinations according to community standards of care, including assessment of eye health and vision, with a recommended examination interval of one year.
History
The Arizona State Board of Optometry (Board) examines, licenses and regulates the profession of Optometric Doctors in the state of Arizona. The mission of the Board is to protect the health, safety and welfare of Arizona citizens by regulating and achieving the highest standards in the optometry profession (Board).
An applicant who wishes to obtain a license to practice optometry in Arizona must file an application with the Board that includes: 1) the applicant's name, age and address; 2) documentation of graduation from an accredited university or college that teaches the profession of optometry; 3) documentation of satisfactory completion of an equivalent course of study that is approved by the Board in didactic education, pharmacology and clinical training in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the human eye and its adnexa; 4) documentation of the successful passage of a written examination as prescribed by the Board; 5) background information on a form prescribed by the Attorney General; and 6) disclosure of any investigation conducted or pending by an optometric regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States (A.R.S. § 32-1722).
An optometric prescription for ophthalmic lenses must include: 1) the patient's name; 2) the refractive power of the lenses; 3) information pertaining to the licensee, including the licensee's name, contact information and signature; and 4) the date of the examination and expiration of the prescription. All optometric prescriptions must be provided to the patient upon completion of an eye exam (A.A.C. R4-21-306).
Provisions
1. Requires an optometrist to conduct an eye examination according to the standards of care prevalent in the community, including an examination of the patient's eye health and vision with a recommended examination interval of one year. (Sec. 1)
2. Allows an optometrist to extend the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription to up to two years. (Sec. 1)
3. Allows an optometrist to reduce the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription based on:
a. the presence or absence of any risk category of the patient; and
b. any medical or other factor attributable to the patient. (Sec. 1)
c.
d.
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f. Initials AG/LK SB 1023
g. 2/24/2026 Page 0 Health & Human Services
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