Military / Full-Time Federal Service
For active duty military and full-time federal service employees, if you do not practice on Texas patients outside the scope of the military base or federal installation, you can request exemption from renewal fees and continuing education requirements. Your license will be listed with a “government” status on our verification page. Please note a government status prohibits you from practicing optometry on Texas patients outside of federal facilities in Texas, in any capacity.
Renewal fees and continuing education are required if:
- the military/federal service member practices in Texas outside the scope of the military or federal installation employment, OR
- your employer requires you to pay the renewal fee in order to have an “active” status
To renew and pay the license fee send an e-mail to allow Board staff to configure the database. You will receive a return e-mail notifying you that you can renew on-line through the regular renewal process. Please include your license number, your first and last name, name of employer, and statement that you are required/want to pay the renewal fee in your e-mail request.
Separation from Federal Service
If you separate from federal service and have not paid previously paid a renewal fee — you must pay the active renewal fee and submit 16 hours of continuing education before you may start practicing in Texas. NOTE: If you served in the regular armed forces within the 12 months preceding the date you wish to begin practicing, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements at that time. Your status will change from “government” to “active” which will allow you to practice anywhere in Texas.
If you have any questions regarding your federal service, please e-mail the Board.
Reinstatement of Expired Texas License
Per statute, a therapeutic optometrist may reinstate an expired Texas license without paying a lapsed renewal fee or other fee and without passing the jurisprudence examination if:
- the license holder’s license expired while the license holder was engaged in active duty with a United States military service or with the United States Public Health Service; full-time federal service; or training or education under the supervision of the United States, before induction into a United States military service and
- termination of the license holder’s service, training, or education occurred other than by dishonorable discharge; and
In order to reinstate the license, not later than the first anniversary of the date of termination of the service, training, or education, the license holder must provide the Board with an affidavit stating that the license holder was engaged in the service, training, or education; and termination of the service, training, or education occurred other than by dishonorable discharge.