2. All registered active optometrists now or hereafter licensed in the State of New Jersey shall be required to take courses of study relating to the practice of the profession of optometry or to maintain proficiency in some other alternative manner to be prescribed and established by the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists; except that any practitioner who has been granted his license by examination during the preceding year shall be exempt from this requirement for the succeeding year. The board shall approve only such continuing educational programs as are available to all persons practicing optometry in the State on a reasonable nondiscriminatory basis. The board may approve programs to be held within or without the State of New Jersey. The board shall approve such programs that enable optometrists in all sections of the State to attend such programs. In no event shall the board approve a program offered by any professional association that discriminates against any licensed optometrists in the State, except that the board shall permit a professional association to impose a differential in registration fees not to exceed 150% of the fee charged to members of that professional association.

L.1975,c.24,s.2; amended 1991, c.171; 2005, c.143.