State Board of Optometry

V.S.A. tit. 26, ch. 30, subch. 2

in effect

26 V.S.A. § 1707 Qualifications; term of office; removal

1707. Qualifications; term of office; removal (a) The State Board of Optometry is created. (b) The Board shall consist of five members, three of whom shall be residents of the State who have had at least five years’ experience in the practice of optometry in the State and are in the active practice of optometry at the time of their appointment; and two members who shall be representatives of the public, who shall be residents of the State for five years, and who shall have no financial interest in the profession other than as a consumer or potential consumer of its services. (b)(1) The Board shall consist of seven members, four of whom shall be residents of the State who have had at least five years’ experience in the practice of optometry in the State and are in the active practice of optometry at the time of their appointment; one member who shall be a resident of the State who has at least five years’ experience in the practice of ophthalmology and is in the active practice of ophthalmology at the time of appointment; and two members who shall be representatives of the public, who shall be residents of the State for five years, and who shall have no financial interest in the profession other than as a consumer or potential consumer of its services. (2) Beginning on January 1, 2031, at least one of the optometrist members of the Board shall hold an advanced therapeutic procedures specialty issued pursuant to subchapter 5 of this chapter. (c) Board members shall be appointed by the Governor pursuant to 3 V.S.A. §§ 129b and 2004. (d) [Repealed.] Added 1979, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 27, § 46; 2019, No. 30, § 12; 2025, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 1a, eff. July 1, 2028.

26 V.S.A. § 1708 Powers and duties

1708. Powers and duties (a) The Board shall: (1) Adopt rules under the Vermont Administrative Procedure Act necessary for the performance of its duties, ensuring that at least the following are established by statute or rule: (A) a definition of the behavior for which a license is required; (B) explanations of appeal and other significant rights given by law to licensees, applicants, and the public; and (C) standards for acceptance of continuing education, which may identify mandatory content specific to pharmacology, and management of adverse drug reactions. (b) [Repealed.] (c) The Board shall not limit the: (1) ownership of optometric practices to licensed optometrists; (2) number of offices or sites at which an optometrist may practice; or (3) right of optometrists to practice in an association, partnership, corporation, or other lawful entity with anyone. Added 1979, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1983, No. 242 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(d); 2009, No. 35, § 28; 2019, No. 30, § 12.

26 V.S.A. § 1709 Functioning of Board of Optometry

1709. Functioning of Board of Optometry (a) Annually, the Board shall meet to elect a chair, vice chair, and a secretary. (b) Meetings may be called by the Chair and shall be called upon the request of any other two members. (c) Meetings shall be warned and conducted in accordance with 1 V.S.A. chapter 5. (d) A majority of the members of a Board shall constitute a quorum for transacting business, and all action shall be taken upon a majority vote of the members present and voting. (e) [Repealed.] (f) [Repealed.] Added 1979, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 27, § 47; 2009, No. 35, § 41.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/26/030Fetched: 10/21/2026