Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §2422, first ¶, as amended by PL 1995, c. 606, §6, is further amended to read:

Every individual before beginning the practice of optometry in this State must pass an examination before the board. The board shall provide an opportunity for applicants to take the examination at least twice per year. At the discretion of the board, the examination may consist of tests in basic sciences; in anatomy and physiology of the eye; pathology; practical, theoretical and physiological optics; practical and theoretical optometry; clinical diagnosis and therapeutics; and other phases of optometric knowledge and skill the board determines to be essential. The board shall require that a new applicant pass Parts I, II and III of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examination, including all sections of the Treatment and Management of Ocular Diseases (TMOD) examination. An individual who has applied to be examined shall appear before the board at the time and place the board designates and, before the examination, shall pay to the board a sum not in excess of $200 $400 as established by the board. All applicants successfully passing the examination must be licensed to practice optometry. The board may require applicants who have failed to pass the licensure examination 3 times to enroll in a course of continuing education as prescribed by the board.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §2423, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 117, §3, is further amended to read:

1. Annual renewal. Every licensed optometrist practicing in the State shall pay annually, before the first day of April, to the board a license renewal fee not in excess of $200 $400 as established by the board under section 2417.

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §2423, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §154, is further amended to read:

2. Nonactive license. Every licensed optometrist not practicing within the State must upon payment of an annual license renewal fee not in excess of $200 $400 as established by the board, be issued a nonactive license renewal. The fee is payable to the board before the first day of April each year. Should a holder of a nonactive license desire to practice within the State, the licensee shall notify the board in writing, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, must then be issued an active license by the board.