TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL
AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING
CHAPTER 16 OPTOMETRIC PRACTITIONERS
PART 5 EXAMINATION FOR OPTOMETRIC LICENSURE
16.16.5.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Board of Optometry.
[10-14-95; 2-15-99; A, 6-26-00; 16.16.5.1 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.1, 03-15-2001; A, 07-06-2012]
16.16.5.2 SCOPE: The provisions in Part 5 of Chapter 16 apply to all applicants for optometric licensure in New Mexico.
[10-14-95; 16.16.5.2 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.2, 03-15-2001]
16.16.5.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The authority for Part 5 of Chapter 16 is NMSA 1978, Section 61-2-4.1; Section 61-2-6.B and D. (6) (7); Section 61-2-9; and 61-2-6.D. (1) and (2) (1995 Repl. Pamp.).
[11-17-73; 3-31-91; 8-21-92; 6-24-94; 10-14-95; 16.16.5.3 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.3, 03-15-2001]
16.16.5.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[10-14-95; 16.16.5.4 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.4, 03-15-2001]
16.16.5.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: October 14, 1995, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.
[11-17-73...5-31-96; 16.16.5.5 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.5, 03-15-2001; A, 03-15-2004]
16.16.5.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 5 of Chapter 16 is to establish the requirements, policies, and procedures for examination for licensure to practice optometry in New Mexico.
[10-14-95; 16.16.5.6 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.6, 03-15-2001]
16.16.5.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. “NBEO” means the national board of examiners in optometry.
B. “NBEO Part I” refers to the NBEO basic science exam.
C. “NBEO Part II” refers to the NBEO clinical science exam.
D. “NBEO Part III” refers to the NBEO patient care exam which consists of PMP's (patient management); VRICS (visual recognition and interpretation of clinical signs); and clinical skills.
E. “The TMOD” means the NBEO treatment and management of ocular disease exam.
[10-14-95; 16.16.5.7 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.7, 03-15-2001]
16.16.5.8 NATIONAL STANDARDS EXAMINATION:
A. As of January 15, 1995, all candidates, except those who have met the qualification requirements set forth in Subsections A and B of 16.16.4.8 NMAC and have been approved by the board as candidates for licensure by endorsement, shall be required to pass Part I, Part II, Part III, and the TMOD of the NBEO national standards examination as a prerequisite to sitting for the board's licensing examination.
B. [RESERVED]
C. Official notice of examination scores for all required parts of the NBEO examination must be received directly from the NBEO.
[10-14-95, 5-31-96; 16.16.5.8 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.8, 03-15-2001; A, 03-15-2004]
16.16.5.9 NEW MEXICO LICENSING EXAMINATION:
A. As of January 15, 1995, all candidates for licensure shall be required to take the board's licensing examination, consisting of a jurisprudence exam and a clinical practicum exam.
B. The board examination shall only be seen by board members, individuals preparing and administering the examination and by examination candidates while sitting for the examination.
C. As soon as practical after the board examination is scored, each examination candidate will be notified in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, of his or her individual scores and pass/fail status.
(1) Successful exam candidates will have ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the exam results notification to complete the licensure process as provided in 16.16.2.10 NMAC or 16.16.2.11 NMAC and 16.16.2.12 NMAC.
(2) Candidates who do not complete the licensure process within the time provided in Subsection C, Paragraph (1) of 16.16.5.9 NMAC must reapply for licensure and meet all the requirements of application and examination as set forth in 16.16.3 NMAC.
D. A grade of seventy-five percent (75%) or better in each of the clinical sections and in the jurisprudence exam is required for passing the licensure examination.
E. Candidates failing to pass the board's examination may re-take a regularly scheduled examination upon approved re-application.
(1) Failed candidates must repeat all portions of the board's examination.
(2) The applicant must complete a new exam application form and submit an updated resume', provide updated license verifications directly from other licensing jurisdictions, and pay the required application processing and examination fees (16.16.2.8 NMAC and 16.16.2.9 NMAC).
F. Any candidate detected cheating in any manner during the course of any examination shall automatically fail the entire examination. Cheating on an examination shall be deemed unprofessional conduct, and shall demonstrate that the applicant is not of good moral character. Individuals detected cheating shall be afforded notice and the opportunity for a hearing under Section 61-1-4 of the Uniform Licensing Act.
G. The deadline for challenging the examination is three (3) months from the date the exam scores are mailed to the candidate by certified mail.
[11-17-73; 12-6-87; 10-14-95; 5-31-96; 2-15-99; A, 6-26-00; 16.16.5.9 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 16.5.9, 03-15-2001; A, 03-10-2005; A, 03-22-2008; A, 07-06-2012; A, 03-02-2016]
HISTORY of 16.16.5 NMAC:
Pre-NMAC History:
Material in the part was derived from that previously filed with the commission of public records - state records center and archives:
OEB 73-1, Administrative Rules and Regulations of the State Board of Examiners in Optometry, filed 10-18-73.
History of Repealed Material: [Reserved]
Other History:
16 NMAC 16.5, Examination For Optometric Licensure, filed 9-21-95 replaced that relevant portion of OEB 73-1, Administrative Rules and Regulations of the State Board of Examiners in Optometry.
16 NMAC 16.5, Examination For Optometric Licensure, filed 9-21-95, renumbered and reformatted to 16.16.5 NMAC, Examination For Optometric Licensure, effective 03-15-2001.