Board of Optometry Rule Hearing and Regular Board Meeting
Board of Optometry Rule Hearing and Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Friday, November 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Agenda
The agenda will be posted and available at least 72 hours before the meeting on the board's website. BOARD'S WEBSITE
How to Attend
2550 Cerrillos Road, 2nd Floor, Rio Grande Conference Room,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
The meeting may also be accessed virtually via Microsoft Teams.
The meeting agenda will be posted and available at least 72 hours before the meeting on the Board's website.
Virtual Attendance
Meeting ID: 245 914 882 048 094
Passcode: iM2Jt7pk
Dial in by Phone
Dial in by phone: +1505-312-4308
Phone Conference ID: 326 640 960#
Disability Accommodation
An individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified signed language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing, please contact Senior Board Administrator, Emma Quintana at 505-476-4622 or by email at optometry.bd@rld.nm.gov
Additional Details
Purpose of Rule Hearing
The purpose of the Rule Hearing is to consider proposed amendments to the following rules:
16.16.3 – Requirements for Licensure by Examination
16.16.4 – Expedited Licensure
16.16.10 – Renewal of New Mexico Optometry License
16.16.11 – License Expiration Due to Non-Renewal: Reactivation
16.16.13 – Continuing Education
16.16.22 – Disciplinary Proceedings
On October 9, 2026, copies of the proposed rules may be obtained through the Board of Optometry website or by contacting the Regulation and Licensing Department.
The Board of Optometry and the Regulation and Licensing Department will begin accepting written public comment regarding the proposed rule changes beginning October 9, 2026 at 8:00 a.m., and ending November 12, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
Written public comment may be submitted by email to Optometry.bd@rld.nm.gov or by postal mail to the following address:
Board of Optometry
Regulation and Licensing Department
P.O. Box 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for the proposed rules includes the applicable provisions of New Mexico law authorizing the Board of Optometry to adopt and promulgate rules in accordance with the Uniform Licensing Act and the State Rules Act.
The rule changes are authorized by the Optometry Act (Act), Section 61-2-1 through 61-2-18 NMSA 1978, which provides explicit authority for the Board of Optometry to protect public health and safety and adopt rules for the administration Act. The rulemaking and public rule hearing is governed by the State Rules Act, Sections 14-4-1 through 14-4-11 NMSA 1978, and the Default Procedural Rule for Rulemaking promulgated by the New Mexico Department of Justice, Parts 1.24.25 through 1.24.25.16 NMAC.
Purpose of the Proposed Rules
The proposed amendments include updates to provisions addressing general requirements, contracts, duties and conduct of licensees, fees, licensure, and contest regulations.
The proposed rule changes are intended to update and clarify the New Mexico Board of Optometry’s requirements for licensure by examination, expedited licensure, license renewal, license expiration and reactivation, continuing education, and disciplinary proceedings. The proposed changes include clarifying definitions and application documentation requirements; updating expedited licensure provisions, including requirements for applicants from jurisdictions with differing pharmaceutical agent requirements and examination requirements for renewal; establishing a June 1 renewal deadline and a 30-day grace period during which a license remains temporarily active for optometric practice; updating the timing of renewal notifications; clarifying requirements for reactivation of expired licenses; updating continuing education provisions, including increasing the maximum number of allowable internet-based continuing education hours from six to eight hours annually; and clarifying disciplinary procedures, including requirements related to complaints, responses, continuing education audits, and other disciplinary matters. More generally, the proposed rules are intended to provide greater clarity and consistency in the Board’s regulatory requirements, support continued professional competence, and promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
Summary of Proposed Changes
The proposed amendments include updates to provisions addressing general requirements, contracts, duties and conduct of licensees, fees, licensure, and contest regulations.
To obtain and review copies of the proposed changes and public comments, please visit the Board of Optometry website or contact the Boards and Commissions Division at 505-476-4622.
16.16.3 NMAC – Clarify licensure, examination, and application documentation requirements.
16.16.4 NMAC – Expedited Licensure. Update expedited licensure eligibility, application, and examination requirements.
16.16.10 NMAC – Renewal of New Mexico Optometry License. Change the renewal deadline to June 1, establish a 30-day grace period, and update renewal notification requirements.
16.16.11 NMAC – License Expiration Due to Non-Renewal: Reactivation. Update expiration and late-renewal provisions and clarify requirements for reactivation of expired licenses.
16.16.13 NMAC – Continuing Education. Update continuing education requirements, including increasing allowable internet-based education from six to eight hours annually and clarifying audit requirements.
16.16.22 NMAC – Disciplinary Proceedings Update complaint response and disciplinary procedures and clarify continuing education audit compliance.
To obtain and review copies of the proposed changes and public comments, please visit the Board of Optometry website or contact the Boards and Commissions Division at 505-476-4622.
Disability Accommodation
An individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified signed language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Emma Quintana, Senior Board Administrator at 505-476-4622 or by email at Optometry.bd@rld.nm.gov.
Public Comment
During public comment, the Chair reserves the right to place time limits on the length of time each person is given if the schedule requires. Members of the Board may ask questions for clarification but may not engage in substantive discussion or take formal action unless noticed in the meeting agenda. Comments will be taken under advisement, and a response may be issued at a later time or may be placed on the agenda of a future public meeting for discussion or action.
Inclement Weather
If New Mexico State offices are placed on a two-hour delay due to inclement weather, the board meeting will be pushed back two hours from the noticed meeting time. If New Mexico State offices are closed due to inclement weather, the board meeting will be rescheduled as soon as possible.