TITLE 54

PROFESSIONS, VOCATIONS, AND BUSINESSES

CHAPTER 15

OPTOMETRISTS

54-1510.  Revocation of licenses — Grounds. Every license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to suspension, revocation or other discipline upon any of the following grounds pursuant to the procedures set forth in chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code. All hearings conducted pursuant to this section, whether before the board or a hearing officer, shall be held in Ada county unless otherwise designated by the board.

(1)  Fraud or deception in procuring license.

(2)  Practicing optometry under a false or assumed name or as a representative or agent of any person, firm or corporation other than another licensed optometrist, a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery under chapter 18, title 54, Idaho Code, or a professional entity that has been incorporated under the authority of part 9, chapter 21, title 30, Idaho Code, by persons licensed to practice optometry under chapter 15, title 54, Idaho Code, or licensed to practice medicine and surgery under chapter 18, title 54, Idaho Code.

(3)  Having been convicted or having received a withheld judgment or suspended sentence in this or any other state of a crime that is deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code, or any act related to the qualifications, functions or duties of an optometrist.

(4)  Gross incompetency.

(5)  Inability to practice optometry with reasonable skill and safety by reason of:

(a)  Mental illness;

(b)  Physical illness including, but not limited to, physical deterioration which adversely affects cognitive, motor or perceptive skills;

(c)  Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substances which impair ability; or

(d)  Having a communicable, contagious or infectious disease which endangers the health of patients.

(6)  Failure to pay to the board or the division of occupational and professional licenses the annual fee and to secure a renewal license, whereupon after twenty (20) days’ notice by registered mail the license of such delinquent may be revoked; but the payment of such fee at or before the time of hearing, with such additional sum, not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) as may be fixed by the board of optometry, shall excuse the default.

(7)  Any practice or behavior of a character likely to deceive or defraud the public.

(8)  Obtaining of any fee or compensation by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

(9)  Employing, either directly or indirectly, any suspended or unlicensed optometrist to do optometric work.

(10) Advertising the practice of optometry in a false, misleading or deceptive manner.

(11) Employment or use of what are known as "cappers" or "steerers."

(12) Consistently accepting referrals that violate the laws of the state of Idaho.

(13) For willfully permitting or allowing or causing a person who is not a licensed optometrist or a licensed physician or surgeon to use the optometrist’s prescription or optometric finding to fit contact lenses upon a person or member of the public.

(14) For violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules or code of ethics made and promulgated by the state board of optometry, as authorized in section 54-1509, Idaho Code.

(15) For willfully attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, conspiring to violate, or assisting or participating in or abetting the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules or code of ethics made, prescribed or promulgated by the state board of optometry pursuant to the authority granted in this chapter.

(16) Having engaged in any conduct which constitutes an abuse or exploitation of a patient arising out of the trust and confidence placed in the licensee by the patient.

(17) Having committed any act that constitutes a crime that is deemed relevant in accordance with section 67-9411(1), Idaho Code.

History:

[54-1510, added 1972, ch. 91, sec. 2, p. 179; am. 1973, ch. 286, sec. 1, p. 609; am. 1974, ch. 13, sec. 127, p. 138; am. 1989, ch. 33, sec. 2. p. 40; am. 1993, ch. 216, sec. 64, p. 647; am. 2009, ch. 118, sec. 7, p. 380; am. 2015, ch. 251, sec. 7, p. 1049; am. 2020, ch. 175, sec. 21, p. 524; am. 2022, ch. 94, sec. 24, p. 299.]