Minnesota Administrative Rules Agency 161 - Optometry Board
Here’s a refined overview of Minnesota Administrative Rules – Agency 161, which governs the Board of Optometry 🧠:
📘 What is Agency 161?
Agency 161 comprises the rules of the Minnesota Board of Optometry, codified under Chapter 6500 – OPTOMETRISTS (law.cornell.edu).
These rules detail the licensing requirements, professional conduct, continuing education, and disciplinary processes for optometrists practicing in Minnesota.
📚 Chapter 6500 – Key Parts
The chapter is organized into multiple rule parts:
6500.0100 Definitions
6500.0300 Purpose and Application
6500.0400 Professional Conduct – Standards that ensure optometrists practice ethically
6500.0500 Display and Disclosure of Name – Guidelines for license display
6500.0600 Prescription – Rules governing prescribing authority
6500.0700 Records – Requirements for patient record-keeping
6500.0800 Incorporation Under the Professional Corporations Act
6500.2000 Terms and Renewal of Individual Annual License – Licensing periods and renewals
6500.2200 Fee Payment; Nonrefundable – Fee structure
6500.2400 Jurisprudence Examination – Applicants must score at least 80% (revisor.mn.gov, regulations.justia.com)
6500.2900 Reinstatement of License – Procedures for license reactivation
6500.3000 Continuing Education Requirements – Mandatory CE for license renewal
Several outdated parts related to continuing education had been repealed over time (regulations.justia.com).
🔎 Highlight: Jurisprudence Exam (6500.2400)
Applicants must score 80% or higher on the Minnesota optometric jurisprudence exam.
If the jurisprudence exam is failed but the national clinical exam is passed, candidates may retry only the jurisprudence portion.
Scores are valid for one year from the exam date (law.cornell.edu).
🛡️ Why These Rules Matter
They define who can practice optometry in Minnesota and under what standards—protecting patient safety and professional ethics.
The jurisprudence exam ensures familiarity with state-specific laws and ethical obligations.
Requirements on prescriptions, record-keeping, and continuing education support quality and accountability in practice.
✅ Need More Details?
If you're curious about any specific section—like professional conduct, licensing fees, reinstatement requirements, or continuing education—just let me know and I can dive into the exact subparts!
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