Georgia State Board of Optometry
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440 phone
(866) 888-1308 fax
www.sos.ga.gov/plb/optometry

Update from the Director of the Professional Licensing Boards:
The last quarter of the year is one of the busiest processing times for the staff at PLB.  We have twelve different license types in renewal during the period along with a number of December graduates applying for various licenses.  For existing license holders, our on-line renewal process allows us to process in excess of 92% of our renewals with very nominal staff involvement.  It also provides our customers with a process that is fast, efficient, paperless and accurate.

For the new graduates, we now have 32 on-line applications available for those applying for their first license with us.  This enables some new graduates to go on-line, register, apply for licensure and pay their fees.  This  paperless system allows the staff to process applications much quicker to the benefit of the applicant who can receive their license and go to work much faster than in the past.  We are planning more on-line applications for the near future.

As we begin the year 2010, we will continue to offer more services on-line and strive to improve our processing times.  For license holders, please keep your personal information up to date and accurate so our transactions with you can be faster and more accurate. 

Regards,
Randy Vaughn
Director of the Professional Licensing Boards

The Georgia State Board of Optometry consists of six members: five licensed practicing optometrists and one consumer member. Typically, the Board meets four times each year. Board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of executive session, in which confidential matters such as complaints, disciplinary items, and applications are discussed.

The practice of optometry consists of the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eyes, and associated structures, including the diagnosis of related systemic conditions. As a learned science, licensed optometrists meet a rigorous licensing standard that consists of formal optometric education, internship and examination.

Minutes from the Board meetings can be found on the Board’s website: www.sos.ga.gov/plb/optometry.

Board Members:

Kay F. Royal, O.D., President
R. Whitman Lord, O.D., Vice President
Dudley B. Christie, O.D.
Dr. H. Kemp Jones, Jr.
Bill Sharpton, O.D. , F.A.A.O.
Betty Ann Lindsey, Consumer Member

Board Staff:

Anita Martin
Executive Director
Georgia State Board of Optometry

The Board meets at the Professional Licensing Board office in Macon.

Number of Active Licensees:

Optometrist: 1,423

Actions Taken by the Georgia State Board of Optometry

October: During the meeting the Board met with Dianne Nicholson of the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) who gave an overview of the organization and its benefit to the Georgia Board. 

Also at the meeting, the Board emphasized the importance for all licensed optometrists to remember that this is a renewal year and all licenses must be renewed no later than December 31, 2009. According to the board's rule, all continuing education hours must be registered with the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) on OE Tracker. It is important for licensees to remember that they may not be able to properly renew their license without first completing the required CE and documenting its completion on the OE Tracker system. 

License Renewals:

Licenses expire as follows:
Optometrist – December 31 of odd numbered years

It is illegal to practice optometry with an expired license.

How do I renew my license? 

You may renew your license on the Professional Licensing Board website with a credit card. Click on the “License Renewal” icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether you have been arrested, convicted or received a board sanction since your last renewal, whether you have completed your continuing education requirements, and whether or not you are a U.S. citizen. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license.

The Professional Licensing Boards do not mail paper renewals unless requested. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee by calling the Board office at (478) 207-2440, or submitting a written request. Licensees may also call our automated system at (404) 463-1100 and request a paper renewal form using their personal identification number included in their renewal notice.

Information for Renewal
Please remember that your license to practice optometry in the State of Georgia expires December 31, 2009 and must be renewed.  You should be receiving a renewal notice via e-mail not later than mid-October.  You are encouraged to utilize the Board’s on-line license renewal.  The renewal site should be ready to accept renewals by October 15 and can be found at www.sos.ga.gov/plb.  
 
Also, please remember that you are required to have completed continuing education credits by December 31, 2009 to be eligible to renew your license.  Please see Board Rule 430-2-.04 on the Board’s web site at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/optometry pertaining to the requirements for continuing education. 

Disciplinary Issues:

The Board addresses these issues on a case-by-case basis and applies sanctions to those who violate the Georgia State Board of Optometry Practice Act, Board rules, and policies. It is important that licensees review all laws, rules and policies that affect their profession. These may be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/optometry.

All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Georgia State Board of Optometry website.

Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 43-30-9 or at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, which can be found on the Georgia State Board of Optometry website.

Georgia State Board of Optometry Complaints Process Information:

The Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia State Board of Optometry to regulate the licensing and practice of optometry. The responsibility of administering the laws in O.C.G.A. § 43-11 is given to the Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board determines if applicants meet licensure requirements, promulgates rules, and considers complaints against licensees and allegations of unlicensed practice. The process for disposing of complaints is as follows:

Complaint Form:
Complaints must be reported to and received by the Board in writing. Written complaints may be submitted to the Board office or on-line at http://sos.georgia.gov/myverification/submitcomplaint.aspx. Documents received in connection with a complaint will not be returned. The complaint must contain sufficient factual evidence indicating a clear violation of Georgia law or Board rules.

Investigations:

The Board gives serious consideration to all complaints. Further investigative action may be taken. Should you file a complaint, you may be contacted by a Board inspector or investigator for additional information. Investigative files are considered confidential for any purpose other than a hearing before the Board. However, the Board is authorized to release such records to another enforcement agency or lawful licensing authority.

Notification Process:

While the investigation is ongoing, the Board is unable to discuss the status of a complaint with anyone, including the complainant. When the Board has completed the case, the complainant will be notified in writing of the Board’s actions. All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Board’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A list of frequently asked questions may be found on the Board’s website. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you may contact the Board office at (478) 207-2440.