An application for optometric licensure within the state of Alaska is available online at the following link:
Application for Optometry License
Current Alaska Statutes governing optometry licensure are as follows:
Sec. 08.72.140. Qualifications for examination. The board shall admit to the examination a person who
furnishes proof that the person
(1) repealed 1996;
(2) repealed 1996;
(3) has had education equivalent to fours years attendance at a state high school;
(4) is a graduate of a recognized school or college of optometry.
Sec. 08.72.150. Application for examination and issuance of license. An applicant shall apply for the
examination by filing an application with the department together with the examination fee by the deadline
established by the department in regulations. The department may require the applicant to submit a photograph of
the applicant for its files; however, the photograph may not be forwarded with the application to the board for
review. Upon successful completion of the examination by the applicant and payment of the license fee, the board
shall issue a license to the successful applicant. The applicant may practice optometry in the state upon receipt of
the license.
Sec. 08.72.160. Examination. (a) The examination must consist of two sections:
(1) all or part of a national or international examination designated by regulation by the board; and
(2) an examination approved by the board that is designed to test the applicant’s knowledge of the laws of
Alaska governing the practice of optometry and the regulations adopted under those laws.
(b) [Repealed, § 9 ch 49 SLA 1988]
(c) An applicant who fails a portion of the examination may take a reexamination in the portion failed upon
payment of a reexamination fee established under AS 08.01.065.
(d) An applicant who fails more than one portion of the examination shall retake the entire examination and pay
the examination fee.
Sec. 08.72.170. Licensure by credentials. The board shall issue a license by credentials to an applicant who
(1) has had education equivalent to four years of attendance at a state high school;
(2) is a graduate of a recognized school or college of optometry;
(3) has passed a written examination approved by the board that is designed to test the applicant's knowledge
of the laws of Alaska governing the practice of optometry and the regulations adopted under those laws;
(4) holds a current license to practice optometry in another state or territory of the United States or in a
province of Canada;
(5) at some time in the past, received a license to practice optometry from another state or territory of the
United States or from a province of Canada that required the person to successfully complete an examination in
optometry;
(6) was engaged in the active licensed clinical practice of optometry in a state or territory of the United States
or in a province of Canada for at least 3120 hours during the 36 months preceding the date of application under this
section;
(7) has not committed an act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted a violation of this chapter or
regulations adopted under this chapter at the time the act was committed; and
(8) has not been disciplined by an optometry licensing entity in another jurisdiction and is not the subject of a
pending disciplinary proceeding conducted by an optometry licensing entity in another jurisdiction.
Sec. 08.72.175. License endorsement. (a) The board may issue a license endorsement authorizing a licensee to
prescribe and use the pharmaceutical agents described in AS 08.72.272, if the licensee or applicant for a license
passes the written and practical portions of an examination on ocular pharmacology, approved by the board, that
tests the licensee's or the applicant's knowledge of the characteristics, pharmacological effects, indications,
contraindications, and emergency care associated with the prescription and use of pharmaceutical agents. The
endorsement expires at the same time as the license to which it attaches. The endorsement may be renewed upon
satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements established by the board by regulation.
(b) A pharmacist or pharmaceutical supplier may supply a licensee with pharmaceutical agents as provided
under AS 08.72.272 upon presentation of evidence that the licensee holds a license endorsement under this section.
Sec. 08.72.181. Renewal of license. (a) [Repealed, § 49 ch 94 SLA 1987.]
(b) An optometrist licensed in this state and serving in the military service of the United States, while in the
discharge of official duties, may maintain eligibility to practice in this state without paying a renewal fee by
registering the optometrist's name and place of residence with the department.
(c) An application for license renewal must contain the name, office and post office address, date and license
number of the licensee, and other information the board considers necessary.
(d) Before a license may be renewed the licensee shall submit to the board evidence of 24 hours of postgraduate
continuing education instruction as prescribed by regulations of the board. The board may specify by regulation
those circumstances under which the requirements of this subsection may be waived.
(e) Before a license may be renewed, the licensee shall provide evidence of continued professional competency
in accordance with the regulations adopted by the board under AS 08.72.050(5).
Click here for more information on licensure and Alaska Statutes and Regulations
