Section 1320.70  Restoration

a)         A licensee seeking restoration of a license after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than 3 years shall submit an application, on forms supplied by the Division, together with:

1)         Proof of completion of the continuing education requirements during the 2 years prior to restoration in accordance with Section 1320.80.  Acceptable proof of completion shall be in the form of certificates of attendance or certificates of completion provided by sponsors of approved continuing education programs;

2)         Either:

A)        Evidence of an existing therapeutic pharmaceutical agent certification at the time the license was placed in inactive or expired status; or

B)        Proof of completion of the requirements of Section 1320.50(a)(1)(A), (B) or (C); and

3)         The proper fees, either:

A)        The restoration fees, when restoring an expired license, specified in Section 1320.400(c)(1); or

B)        The renewal fees, when restoring an inactive license, specified in Section 1320.400(b)(1).

b)         In addition to satisfying the requirements of subsection (a), the licensee shall also submit:

1)         Sworn evidence of active practice in another jurisdiction.  The evidence shall include a statement from the appropriate board or licensing authority in the other jurisdiction that the licensee was authorized to practice during the term of said active practice;

2)         An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 16 of the Act.  If application is made within 2 years of discharge, and if all other provisions of Section 16 of the Act are satisfied, the applicant will not be required to pay a restoration fee or any lapsed renewal fees;

3)         Evidence of other education or experience acceptable to the Division of the licensee's fitness to have the certificate restored.  The evidence shall be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Board; or

4)         Certification of passage of Part III of the examination administered by NBEO, by NBEO standards.  The Board may, in its discretion and in individual cases, make a recommendation to the Director for the waiver of the clinical skills examination or Part III of the examination in accordance with Section 11 of the Act based on quality of education, training and experience including, but not limited to, special honors and awards, articles published in optometry journals, writing or participation in the writing of textbooks in optometry or any other circumstances or attribute which the Board accepts as evidence that such applicant has outstanding and proven ability in optometry.

c)         A licensee seeking restoration of a license that has expired or been on inactive status for less than 3 years, or has been placed in non-renewed status for failure to comply with continuing education (CE) requirements shall submit an application on forms provided by the Division, together with:

1)         Proof of completion of CE requirements during the 2 years prior to restoration in accordance with Section 1320.80.  Acceptable proof of completion shall be in the form of certificates of attendance provided by sponsors of approved continuing education programs;

2)         Either:

A)        Evidence of an existing therapeutic pharmaceutical agent certification at the time the license was placed in inactive or expired status; or

B)        Proof of completion of the requirements of Section 1320.50(a)(1)(A), (B) or (C); and

3)         The restoration fees specified in Section 1320.400.  For the purpose of restoring from inactive status the Division shall consider that no renewal fees have lapsed during the period of inactive status.

d)         Any person seeking restoration of a license within 2 years after discharge from military service pursuant to Section 12 of the Act will be required to pay only the current renewal fee and will not be required to submit proof of meeting the continuing education requirements.

e)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is reasonably questioned by the Division because of a lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given, or there is a need for clarification, the licensee seeking restoration of the license will be requested to:

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

2)         Appear for interviews before the Board when the information available to the Board is insufficient to evaluate the individual's current competency to practice under the Act.  Upon the recommendation of the Board, and approval by the Division, an applicant shall have the license restored.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 6008, effective April 5, 2024)