45:12-9. Registration; certificates; fees; branch offices; revocation

45:12-9. Every registered optometrist who practices in the State of New Jersey shall, on such dates and times as the board may determine, pay to the secretary-treasurer of the board a registration renewal fee for which he shall receive a renewal of his registration.

A nonactive registration renewal certificate shall be issued to those not practicing within the State upon payment of a renewal fee, payable to the secretary-treasurer of the board on such dates and times as the board may determine. Should a nonactive registrant desire to practice in New Jersey during the registration year, he shall notify the board in writing of his office location, shall pay the required fee for a change of address and an additional fee to activate his license. He must return his nonactive registration renewal certificate for cancellation. The board shall thereupon issue an active registration certificate to said registrant for his office location.

Every person having an active or nonactive license to practice optometry in New Jersey shall notify the board in writing of any change of address and pay a fee and return therewith his registration renewal certificate and the board shall issue a new registration renewal certificate.

Every registered optometrist having a nonactive registration renewal certificate for a period of five years or more who desires an active registration certificate shall be required to submit to a practical examination, conducted by the board, and if the results of the examination are satisfactory to the majority of the board, he shall then be issued an active certificate of registration authorizing him to practice in this State.

The board shall have the power to issue, upon proper application and payment of the prescribed fees, branch office registration certificates to active licensees when, in its discretion, and after a proper investigation, it determines that the new branch office complies with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the board and that such action serves the public interest.

Every licensee holding an active registration renewal certificate who intends to practice at any place other than the address for which his active registration renewal certificate is issued shall be required to obtain from the secretary-treasurer for a fee a branch office registration certificate for each and every location wherein he practices; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to require an active licensee to obtain a branch office certificate for the purpose of serving on the staff of a hospital or other health care facility licensed by the Department of Health or institution; and further provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to require an active licensee to obtain a branch office certificate for the purpose of rendering necessary optometric services to patients confined to their homes, hospitals or other health care facilities licensed by the Department of Health or institutions.

Every licensee holding a branch office registration certificate or certificates shall, on such dates and times as the board may determine, pay to the secretary-treasurer a registration renewal fee for each branch office registration certificate he holds, for which he shall receive a branch office registration renewal certificate or certificates.

In case of default in payment of registration renewal fees by any registered optometrist, his certificate or certificates to practice may be revoked by the board upon 20 days' notice to the last registered address of said optometrist of the time and place of considering such revocation; but the certificate or certificates shall not be revoked if the person in default pays such fees before or at such time of consideration named by the board.

Branch office registration certificates and branch office registration renewal certificates shall be displayed in the offices for which they are issued as provided for in R.S.45:12-8.

Amended 1948,c.350,s.3; 1954,c.226,s.1; 1960,c.91; 1995,c.315.