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 $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. [PL 2003, c. 252, §1 (AMD).]