[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6617942,"mediaKeyId","2838667-0f908ce0d6f3ba1eb7ff8fc7a95dc031","parentId",2838667,"title","Kansas optometry board will not hold patient-based clinical exam for July 2025; will use written tests and interviews","audioSeconds",318,"startMs",4506000,"endMs",4824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838667-0f908ce0d6f3ba1eb7ff8fc7a95dc031&start=4506&end=4824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838667-0f908ce0d6f3ba1eb7ff8fc7a95dc031/thumbnail_4506000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617942/Kansas/Kansas-optometry-board-will-not-hold-patient-based-clinical-exam-for-July-2025-will-use-written-tests-and-interviews","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617942-cbef8021330e763669f9932c661ad013/orig.mp4?Expires=1774586180&Signature=SCX9MG7uxZSrAzp174TED1Ox92C0E-ZBL6xOSKjoZVnKXV6Msru6A1bFEYQBrKiIjgMP3nxks0acmKqtylB~8RFXACR6suErITaSWQa-t4zECSuExue3t5~MhzXWGbRHRbSpOVzx28xokYo-~R0Io7mJem1-8VYHyHdj8eiQ7EekrJh8JQ2iPuG29Ebpwyl1y-PclZMgcO1DOVT6QU3bTrUF-Tb7V1fi~ICTPyyRGdro32zjxQ43AIA5kZWkga8vbZaKH1wWYMawXjGW2ybj-mrb7gHD2jxpK6YuJ8iqPJYilDLI~feGKa6daMiDadJzRTJKpEeVTw3ICDcelGsCbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KS Legislature","date","2025-04-01T21:33:02.57Z","article","The Board of Examiners in Optometry voted during its April meeting to forgo a patient-contact clinical practical for the July 2025 licensure exam and instead administer the state written exam, a written clinical (paper-based/case) test and continue applicant interviews.

Board Chair (name not provided) moved the measure, saying, “I am going to make a motion that during the 02/2025 application process for a Kansas State optometric license, that we administer a written state test, a written clinical test, and we are not administering a clinical didactic test,” and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: Board members said recent changes and security incidents involving the National Board of Examiners in Optometry’s (NBEO) new Part 3 patient‑encounter format — plus a higher failure rate in some cohorts — prompted discussion about whether the state should add another live clinical exam on top of the NBEO test. Several board members and staff argued the NBEO’s new Part 3 now emphasizes clinical decision‑making and is administered and scored by psychometric professionals; others cited equity concerns for candidates caught between older and newer NBEO formats.

What the board discussed: Several members said Kansas historically administered an in‑person clinical practical; others noted the NBEO’s new Part 3 (patient encounter performance stations, “PEPs”) was specifically redesigned to test clinical decision making. Board counsel and members discussed statutory limits and reciprocity implications, including recent legislative changes cited in the meeting as House Bill 2066 (referenced in the discussion as codified at KSA 40-8-34-6), and whether those changes affect the board’s discretion to accept out‑of‑state credentials in place of local testing.

Board counsel Tim Resner advised that the statute governing the board’s exam obligation is general and that, absent a different statutory requirement, the board retains discretion to set exam format. Counsel also noted the board can revert to administering an in‑person clinical practical in future years if it decides that is necessary.

Aspirational next steps and public comment: The board voted to prepare a brief public notice summarizing the change and to solicit comment before pursuing longer‑term regulatory changes. Members discussed whether additional public notice or a formal public comment period was required for a substantive change; counsel and staff said a formal rulemaking process was not required to implement the testing approach for the 2025 cycle but recommended publishing the rationale and opening a comment window.

What the decision does and does not do: The motion specifically removes the patient‑in‑clinic (live patient) practical for the 2025 July licensure session only; the board said it will still administer the state written exam and a written clinical case test and will interview applicants. The board emphasized this year’s change is not a permanent rule change and that it may reinstate a hands‑on clinical practical in later years.

Quote summarizing the board’s view: Board member (Dr.) Nagarajah, who reviewed NBEO material, told the board the new NBEO clinical exam “is very thorough… it covers a breadth and depth of knowledge” and that the updated national exam “covers clinical decision making… very, very well.”

What this means for applicants: The board did not adopt a new, blanket policy on whether it will offer additional exam dates beyond the usual annual schedule; members agreed to revisit scheduling and administrative details separately. Staff advised applicants with incomplete school documentation to follow the board’s normal application and (if needed) appeal procedures rather than assume eligibility for the July session.

Votes at the meeting: The motion to omit the live patient clinical practical for the July 2025 session passed by voice vote; a written summary of the decision and an invitation for public comment will be posted by staff.

Next dates and follow up: The board directed staff to prepare a short explanatory notice to be released publicly and to ask members of the profession for comment; the board also asked the staff and the vice president to review the state law exam questions and proposed edits for future administrations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kansas Board of Examiners in Optometry 04/01/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Examiners in Optometry voted during its April meeting to forgo a patient-contact clinical practical for the July 2025 licensure exam and instead administer the state written exam, a written clinical (paper-based/case) test and continue applicant interviews.","taxTitle","Board of Examiners in Optometry, Departments, Boards, and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Kansas","taxId",26463,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6617937,"Board of Examiners in Optometry approves minutes, reelects officers, accepts reciprocity applications and a trade name; staff introductions and briefings held",579,81000,660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838667-0f908ce0d6f3ba1eb7ff8fc7a95dc031&start=81&end=660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838667-0f908ce0d6f3ba1eb7ff8fc7a95dc031/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6617937/Kansas/Board-of-Examiners-in-Optometry-approves-minutes-reelects-officers-accepts-reciprocity-applications-and-a-trade-name-staff-introductions-and-briefings-held","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617937-386043b7333270ba238cc186d8bd5ba2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774586180&Signature=LN9KPU5~hw~MJO~z2ZZ9dDbFMtobsWu33BSIgMmIYWdwQPTJSEr~C-ekckKajSCTpwWnf-Md-~fid-219MqFu6lqb2V5uPtaZ3G-jhaB-ZOFCDdoiBSZAu1xvnYB9uFJcIkLwX3tKBfEO-s8pjO7K-73yZgOqudGy-izte0c7Nfl1g~vb1PLhvxoV5s1EsbytI2H03cFY5w7nt1nD5NpZ~reasKyLdLAeP9PQSgVVe2kaczOcdve15wBzBPkw4uR-M8AJWLPAGB1ilOXKbMuH3evmCGJk~l-yp6Ck8KcY7w2UyZOtuHjLKaMrwu71cYnV9uCWKWhEC-jZkfgMmG~-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Examiners in Optometry conducted regular business at its April meeting, approving minutes and a slate of officers, accepting two reciprocity applications, approving a trade name for a Topeka practice, and hearing informational briefings on the budget, planned regulation reviews and cybersecurity resources.

Minutes and officers: The board approved the minutes from the Jan. 8 meeting by voice vote. The board then elected and/or confirmed the officer slate by motion as the same slate in place: Don Bircher as president, Dr. Sheena Nagarajah as vice president and Gary Beavers as secretary‑treasurer; the motion passed by voice vote.

Reciprocity applications: The board voted to accept two reciprocity applications during the meeting. The board moved and seconded acceptance of Dr. Dittamore (reciprocity application discussed in person) and, later, Dr. Lindquist (appearing by WebEx) and approved both by voice vote. Board members asked each applicant about their licensure history, scope of practice in their previous states and any pending internal or clinic reviews; both applicants were accepted for Kansas licensure by reciprocity.

Staff and personnel: The board introduced Callie McAtee, who will serve as the coordinator for continuing medical education and as Jan’s incoming replacement in board staff operations. McAtee described her 12 years as coordinator of continuing medical education for the Oklahoma College of Optometry and said she plans to focus on logistics for future CE administration.

Trade names and executive session: The board approved the trade name Crystal Vision LLC for a Topeka office (motion and voice vote). The board also held and reconvened executive sessions during the meeting to discuss attorney‑client privileged matters and trade name audit questions; motions to recess into executive session were made and passed as recorded on the meeting record.

Informational briefings: The meeting included a budget overview from John Kirk of the Division of Budget, who explained the state budget calendar, the July 1 fiscal year start and the agency’s responsibility for annual upkeep costs for new statewide licensing software. The board also received a cybersecurity and information‑security briefing from the Kansas Information Security Office (KISO), which reviewed state reporting obligations for cyber incidents, best practices (multifactor authentication, password managers, timely patching), and offered to conduct tabletop exercises and follow‑up training for the board or its staff.

Continuing education (DEA hours): Board members discussed whether to accept DEA‑required training hours for continuing education credit. After review, members indicated they will not accept DEA course credit for Kansas CE credit until the training is submitted to and approved by COPE; staff indicated any decision about partial credit or future acceptance would require an administrative review but that, for now, DOE/DEA‑related CE will be accepted only if COPE‑approved.

Regulation review: Staff reported that the board’s rules are due for statutorily required five‑year review under KLRD/JCAR schedules and asked members to review an online spreadsheet of regulations and submit any proposed edits soon so the agency can meet the July 1 filing window.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (Jan. 8): motion, voice vote — approved.
- Election/confirmation of officers: motion to retain current slate (Don Bircher, president; Dr. Sheena Nagarajah, vice president; Gary Beavers, secretary‑treasurer): voice vote — approved.
- Reciprocity: Acceptance of Dr. Dittamore (reciprocity): motion and second — voice vote approved.
- Reciprocity: Acceptance of Dr. Lindquist (reciprocity): motion and second — voice vote approved.
- Trade name: Crystal Vision LLC (Topeka) approved: motion and second — voice vote approved.
- Executive sessions: motions to go into executive session for attorney‑client privileged discussions and trade name matters — motions made and passed.

What’s next: Staff will follow up on the regulation review spreadsheet and prepare travel authorizations for members attending ARBO; the board will continue to collect proposed state exam questions from members ahead of the July licensing administration.","At its April meeting the Kansas Board of Examiners in Optometry approved routine minutes, reappointed its officer slate, accepted two reciprocity applications, approved a trade name, introduced new staff, heard a budget briefing and cybersecurity training, and began a multi‑year regulation review.","actionData","errors"]

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Kansas optometry board will not hold patient-based clinical exam for July 2025; will use written tests and interviews

Board of Examiners in Optometry approves minutes, reelects officers, accepts reciprocity applications and a trade name; staff introductions and briefings held