61-2-14. Offenses.
590 words·~3 min read·
/nm/chapter-61-professional-and-occupational-licenses/article-2-optometry/61-2-14·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
A. A person who commits one of the following acts is guilty of a fourth degree felony and upon conviction shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978:
(1)practicing or attempting to practice optometry without a valid current license issued by the board;
(2)using or attempting to use a pharmaceutical agent that is regulated pursuant to the provisions of the New Mexico Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act [Chapter 26, Article 1 NMSA 1978] without having the certification for its use issued by the board, unless the administration of pharmaceutical agents is done under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist certified to administer the pharmaceutical agents in accordance with the provisions of the Optometry Act; or
(3)permitting a person in one's employ, supervision or control to practice optometry or use pharmaceutical agents described in Paragraph
(2)of this subsection unless that person is licensed and certified in accordance with the provisions of the Optometry Act or unless the administration of pharmaceutical agents is done under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist certified to administer the pharmaceutical agents in accordance with the provisions of the Optometry Act.
B. A person who commits one of the following acts is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978:
(1)making a willfully false oath or affirmation where the oath or affirmation is required by the Optometry Act;
(2)selling or using any designation, diploma or certificate tending to imply that one is a practitioner of optometry, unless one holds a license as provided by the Optometry Act;
(3)refusing, after a request, to provide a patient a copy of the patient's eyeglasses prescription, if the prescription is not over one year old;
(4)duplicating or replacing an ophthalmic lens without a current prescription not more than two years old or without a written authorization from the patient if the prescription is not available;
(5)except for licensed optometrists, using any trial lenses, trial frames, graduated test cards or other appliances or instruments for the purpose of examining the eyes or rendering assistance to anyone who desires to have an examination of the eyes, but it is not the intent of this paragraph to prevent a school nurse, schoolteacher or employee in public service from ascertaining the possible need of vision services, if the person, clinic or program does not attempt to diagnose or prescribe ophthalmic lenses for the eyes or recommend any particular practitioner or system of practice;
(6)advertising the fabricating, adapting, employing, providing, sale or duplication of eyeglasses or any part of them, but this paragraph does not preclude the use of a business name, trade name or trademark not relating to price or the use of the address, telephone number, office hours and designation of the provider, in or at retail outlets, on business cards, eyeglass cleaners and cases or in news media or in public directories, mailings and announcements of location openings or the use of the words "doctors' prescriptions for eyeglasses filled" or "eyeglass repairs, replacements and adjustments"; or
(7)selling of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, frames or mountings for lenses in an establishment in which the majority of its income is not derived from being engaged in that endeavor.
History: 1953 Comp., § 67-1-12, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 353, § 12; 1985, ch. 241, § 5; 1995, ch. 20, § 8; 1996, ch. 59, § 3; 2003, ch. 274, § 5; 2015, ch. 131, § 5.