MarylandSB 01862026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

State Board of Examiners in Optometry - Examination Requirements and Time Period for Inactive Status

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Limits on inactive licenses and reinstatement

Beginning July 1, 2026, you can place your license on inactive status by filing the Board form and paying the inactive fee. You cannot stay inactive for more than 6 straight years. To return from inactive status, you must meet continuing education and pay the reinstatement fee. If your license expired and was not inactive, you can reinstate within 5 years by meeting CE and renewal rules and paying the fee. If it expired 5 years or more and was not inactive, you must pass every section of each part of a Board exam and meet renewal and CE rules.

Easier Maryland entry for out-of-state optometrists

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Board can waive Maryland’s exam for optometrists licensed in another state. You must pay the application fee and submit a certified copy of your out-of-state license. You must show 3 years of continuing education, or the Maryland equivalent in Board-approved courses. You must have passed that state’s board exam and not failed a Maryland Board-required exam in the last 5 years. The Board can also waive the exam if, for the last 3 years, you practiced, taught, served in uniformed services, supervised, or researched in optometry.

New exam rules for optometry applicants

Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants must pass every section of each part of any exam the Board requires. The Board sets the exam subjects, format, and passing scores. Within one year of getting your application, the Board can require you to take an exam. If you fail, you can take the next regularly scheduled exam. The law repeals the old reexamination fee.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Malcolm Augustine
Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 176 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 133 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 27
4/14/2026
Returned Passed
4/3/2026Senate
Third Reading Passed (133-0)
4/2/2026House
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/1/2026House
Favorable Report by Health
4/1/2026House
Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
3/17/2026House
Referred Health
2/13/2026House
Third Reading Passed (43-0)
2/12/2026Senate
Second Reading Passed
2/10/2026Senate
Favorable Adopted
2/10/2026Senate
Favorable Report by Finance
2/9/2026Senate
Hearing 2/03 at 2:00 p.m.
1/21/2026Senate
Reassigned to Finance
1/16/2026Senate
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
1/14/2026Senate
Pre-filed
9/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

Enacted
4/14/2026
PDF
Third Reading
2/10/2026
PDF
First Reading
1/14/2026
PDF

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