WHAT'S NEW!  Updated rules are here!  Rules are effective February 2, 2008. You may view the rules under the "AZ Statutes & Rules" link on the left-hand side of this page. RULES CHANGES ARE COMING: New/amended rules were approved by GRRC on December 4, 2007 and will be published February 2, 2008.  See final rules here. ATTENTION NEW APPLICANTS ONLY:  Effective October 1, 2007, the fee for fingerprinting is $24.00.  Please make sure to send the correct amount with your application.     PAY ALL FEES ONLINE! In addition to renewing licenses online, you may now pay original application fees, original license fees and public information request invoices online using a credit card.  Click on the appropriate button on the right! SB1529 OPTOMETRY-USE OF PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS- Signed by Governor Napolitano on April 16, 2007.   This bill expands the scope of A.R.S. §32-1706, use of antihistamines from the current three specific drugs (Cetirizine, Loratadine. Fexofenadine ) to all antihistamines and includes the following change in language: 2.  Antihistamines.  A licensee may prescribe an antihistamine for not more than seven days for any one patient for each occurrence.  The licensee shall request the patient's primary care physician or other family physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title to refer the patient.  If the patient's condition does not improve during the first seven days of treatment, the licensee shall refer the patient to the patient's primary care physician or other physician licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title. The licensee may prescribe only the following prescription antihistamines: (a)  Cetirizine. (b)  Loratadine. (c)  Fexofenadine.   See final bill here.  Law is effective September 19, 2007
	HB2115 PROFESSIONS; DISCIPLINARY ACTION; CONTINUING EDUCATION-Signed by Governor Napolitano on April 16, 2007 This bill affected most of the health regulatory boards including optometry statute A.R.S. §32-1744 by allowing a board to issue a non-disciplinary action to include a requirement of Continuing Education as part of the action. The new language is as follows:    4.  Issue a nondisciplinary order requiring the licensee to complete a prescribed number of hours of continuing education in an area or areas prescribed by the board to provide the licensee with the necessary understanding of current developments, skills, procedures or treatment.   This bill will become part of A.R.S. 32-1744 Board investigations; duty to report violations; hearing; decision of board; informal settlement conference. See final bill here.  Law is effective September 19, 2007

Prescription Disclaimers - Please be aware that pursuant to 16 C.F.R. §456.2(d), it is an unfair act or practice for an ophthalmologist or optometrist to place on the prescription, or require the patient to sign, or deliver to the patient a form or notice waiving or disclaiming the liability or responsibility of the ophthalmologist or optometrist for the accuracy of the eye examination or the accuracy of the ophthalmic goods and services dispensed by another seller.

In addition, under the Optometry Board’s statutes at A.R.S. §32-1743(12), the Board may discipline an optometrist for any violation of any statutes, laws or rules regulating the practice of optometry in this state or any other jurisdiction of the United States.

Signature Stamps-The Board, at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 16, 2006, discussed the issue of handwritten versus rubber-stamped signatures on prescriptions and determined that an optometrist may use a rubber stamp if the name on the stamp is a (real) signature and not a printed name.

If you are using a rubber stamp with a printed name on it in place of the signature, please discontinue this practice and comply with the signature requirement on all prescriptions. This measure is to ensure the validity of the prescription and prevent forgery.