1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a limited license as a dispensing optician authorizes the licensee to engage in the practice of ophthalmic dispensing pursuant to this chapter.

2. Only a person who is deemed to hold an active, inactive or delinquent limited license as a dispensing optician on February 1, 2004, may hold a limited license as a dispensing optician. A limited license as a dispensing optician may not be issued to any other person.

3. A person practicing ophthalmic dispensing pursuant to a limited license:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, is subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner as a person practicing ophthalmic dispensing pursuant to a license issued pursuant to NRS 637.120, including, without limitation, the provisions of this chapter governing the renewal or reactivation of a license; and

(b) Shall not sell, furnish or fit contact lenses.

4. A limited license as a dispensing optician:

(a) Expires on January 31 of each year.

(b) May be renewed before its expiration upon:

(1) Presentation of proof of completion of the continuing education required by this section; and

(2) Payment of a renewal fee set by the Board of not more than $200.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, is delinquent if it is not renewed before January 31 of each year. Not later than 2 years after the expiration of a limited license, a delinquent limited license may be reinstated, at the discretion of the Board, upon payment of each applicable annual renewal fee in addition to the annual delinquency fee set by the Board of not more than $500.

5. Upon written request to the Board, and payment of a fee not to exceed $300, a licensee in good standing may have his or her name and limited license as a dispensing optician transferred to an inactive list. Such a licensee shall not practice ophthalmic dispensing during the time the limited license is inactive. If an inactive licensee wishes to resume the practice of ophthalmic dispensing as limited by this section, the Board shall reactivate the limited license upon:

(a) If deemed necessary by the Board, the demonstration by the licensee that the licensee is then qualified and competent to practice;

(b) The completion of an application; and

(c) Payment of the renewal fee set by the Board pursuant to subsection 4.

6. To reactivate a limited license as a dispensing optician pursuant to subsection 5, an inactive licensee is not required to pay the delinquency fee and the renewal fee for any year while the license was inactive.

7. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, each person with a limited license as a dispensing optician must complete courses of continuing education in ophthalmic dispensing each year. Such continuing education must:

(a) Encompass such subjects as are established by regulations of the Board.

(b) Consist of a minimum of 12 hours for a period of 12 months.

8. A person with a limited license as a dispensing optician who is on active military service is exempt from the requirements of subsection 7.

9. The Board shall adopt any other regulations it determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Added to NRS by 2003, 2009; A 2007, 1239)