Optometrists

The following laws apply to professional licensure boards.

• Chapter 17A—Iowa Administrative Procedure Act
• Chapter 147—General Provisions, Health-Related Professions
• Chapter 272C—Continuing Education and Regulation - Professional and Occupational

The following rules apply to professional licensing boards.

• Chapter 4 -- Board Administrative Processes
• Chapter 6 -- Petitions for Rule Making
• Chapter 7 -- Agency Procedure for Rule Making
• Chapter 8—Declaratory Orders
• Chapter 9—Complaints and Investigations
• Chapter 10—Public records and Fair Information Practices
• Chapter 11—Contested Cases
• Chapter 12—Informal Settlement
• Chapter 13—Discipline
• Chapter 14—Use of Criminal Convictions in Eligibility Determinations and Initial Licensing Decisions
• Chapter 16—Impaired Practitioner Review Committee
• Chapter 17—Materials for Board Review
• Chapter 18—Waivers of Variances from Administrative Rules
• Chapter 19—Licensure by Verification and of Applicants with Work Experience
• Chapter 20—Military Service and Veteran Reciprocity

• Administrative Bulletin

Rulemaking notices, along with adopted rule changes, are published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin.  The preamble for each notice includes a summary of the proposed rule changes.  The notice includes information about how to submit public comment when applicable.  All comments are forwarded to the board for review prior to making a final decision on the outcome of rule change proposals.

The process for seeking a waiver from an administrative rule and the standards under which the petition will be evaluated are described in Chapter 18.

• Petition for Waiver Form 

The Iowa Practitioner Program (IPP) was established in 1996 to support licensees who struggle with impairments due to alcohol or drug abuse, mental health conditions, and/or physical disorders. The Iowa Practitioner Review Committee (IPRC) reviews self-reports made by licensees to determine eligibility for participation. The IPRC designs an individualized health contract to meet the needs of the licensee.

State law mandates that information in the possession of the IPRC remain confidential. Participation in the program is not a matter of public record.

"Impairment" means an inability to practice with reasonable safety and skill as a result of alcohol or drug abuse, dependency, or addiction, or any mental or physical disorder or disability.

"Self-report" means the licensee providing written or oral notifications to the board that the licensee has received or may receive a diagnosis as having an impairment before the board's receiving a complaint or report alleging an impairment before the date of self-report.

The IPRC determines whether practitioners are eligible to participate in the program monitored by the committee. A person is ineligible to take part in the program for any of the following reasons:

• The practitioner engaged in the unlawful diversion or distribution of controlled illegal substances to a third party, or for personal gain or profit;
• The practitioner is already under a board order;
• The practitioner has caused harm or injury to a patient;
• The board is investigating the practitioner that concerns serious matters related to the practitioner's competence;
• The practitioner failed to provide truthful information or refused to cooperate with the board or the IPRC; or
• The practitioner has been subject to a civil administrative or criminal sanction for serious infractions of law, professional ethics, or administrative rules related to the practice.

Based upon the recommendation of an approved evaluator, the IPRC creates an individualized health contract, which provides a detailed description of the goals of the program, requirements for successful completion, and the practitioner's obligations.

Note: The IPRC may refer to the board participants who are not compliant with the terms of their contract for consideration of disciplinary action.

The chairperson of the board appoints the members of the IPRC. The IPRC includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Executive Director of the board or the director's designee from the board's staff;
• A practitioner who has remained free of addiction for two or more years after completing a recovery program for drug or alcohol dependency, addiction, or abuse;
• A physician/counselor with expertise in substance abuse/addiction treatment programs;
• A psychiatrist or psychologist; and
• A public member.

The program encourages practitioners who have impairments to get the help they need. All information received by IPP and IPRC remains confidential as long as the practitioner complies with the terms of their agreement or health contract.

By self-reporting to IPP, the practitioner may avoid formal disciplinary action by the licensing Board. Formal disciplinary action taken against a practitioner is a matter of public record. The board reports the action to the press, the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB), insurance companies, and to other state and federal authorities. Participation in the program is confidential.

Health care practitioners must report knowledge of another practitioner's possible impairment to the board. Health care practitioners who fail to report colleagues with a possible impairment may be subject to disciplinary action by the board. It is in the practitioner's best interest to self-report an impairment before someone else files complaint or report.

If any of the following apply to a practitioner, it is in that person's best interest to self-report to IPP as soon as possible:

• Charged with, and/or arrested for OWI, or for another alcohol or drug related offense;
• Disciplined by another federal or state agency for alcohol or drug abuse;
• Evaluated or treated for a substance use disorder, or is currently enrolled in a recovery program;
• Diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or a physical health condition;
• Practiced after drinking alcohol or taking an illegal or mind/mood altering substance;
• Addiction/dependence on drugs, alcohol or prescription medication; and/or
• Urged by friend(s), family or colleagues to get help for alcohol or drug abuse, or a mental or physical condtion.

To self-report, a licensee may:

• Complete and submit a self-report form online;
• Email IPRC staff as follows:
  • Dental Board Licensees/Registrants: Rebecca.Carlson@dia.iowa.gov; or
  • Licensees of other Boards: Crystal.Walker-Smith@dia.iowa.gov or Maureen.Barton@dia.iowa.gov
• Call to receive confidential information and ask questions:
  • Dental Board Licensees/Registrants: (515) 725-3491 or 
  • Licensees of other Boards: (515) 725-1221, or (515) 725-2720.

IPP Self-Report

Quarterly Report: IPP Participant

Quarterly Report: Worksite Monitor

Quarterly Report: Monitoring Provider

Quarterly Report: Therapist Provider

Quarterly Report: Aftercare Provider

Self-Help Meeting Log