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Alaska governor grants optometry board autonomy
Alaska’s HB 103 was signed into law by Gov. Bill Walker on July 26, granting the Alaska Board of Examiners in Optometry the authority to write regulations, eliminating the requirement for optometry to petition the Alaska State Legislature with advances in optometric education or technology.
Advocates, including the board and Alaska Optometric Association, argued such action was necessary, considering optometry was the only medical profession in Alaska that could not regulate its own development through its professional board, according to an update from the American Optometric Association.
The board shall adopt regulations including those, “necessary to govern the practice of optometry, including the prescription and use of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of eye disease ... and to develop uniform standards for the practice of optometry,” according to the act.
The Alaska Board of Examiners in Optometry is staffed by the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. It also consists of four optometrists and one public member. Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature.
The board adopts regulations to carry out laws governing the practice of optometry in Alaska. It also makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary actions against people who violate licensing laws.