3/6/2018 11:15 am
Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations 		VA.R. Document Number: R____-______
Virginia Register Publication Information

Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
Initial Agency Notice
X
Agency Decision
Promulgating Board: Board of Optometry
Regulatory Coordinator: Elaine J. Yeatts

(804)367-4688

elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov
Agency Contact: Leslie L. Knachel

Executive Director

(804)367-4508

leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov
Contact Address: Department of Health Professions

9960 Mayland Drive

Suite 300

Richmond, VA 23233
Chapter Affected:
18 vac 105 - 20: Regulations of the Virginia Board of Optometry
Statutory Authority: State: Chapter 32 of Title 54.1

Federal:
Date Petition Received 12/05/2017
Petitioner Jena Jung, O.D.
 Petitioner's Request
To amend regulations to allow a practitioner to request inactive licensure.  The petitioner would also like for the Board to reactivate an inactive license for military persons or spouses at no additional cost.
 Agency Plan
In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of Regulations and will be published on December 25, 2017.  Comment on the petition may be sent by email, regular mail or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov; comment will be requested until January 24, 2018.  Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language.  This matter will be on the Board's agenda for its next meeting scheduled for March 2, 2018
Publication Date 12/25/2017  (comment period will also begin on this date)
Comment End Date 01/24/2018
 Agency Decision
Initiate a regulatory change
Agency Response Date 03/06/2018
 Agency Decision Text
The Board discussed the request to amend regulations in order to institute an inactive license and decided to begin the process of amending its regulations.  Other boards at the Department of Health Professions allow practitioners to put their licenses in an inactive status at half the cost of an active license.  The inactive license may then be reactivated by payment of the difference between the inactive and active license and evidence of continued competency. The Board did not agree to waive the reactivation fee for military personnel or their spouses, as that is not the policy for any other board.