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Active Regulation Regulations · Adopted Text or Summary of Text

NOTICE OF ADOPTED AND FILED REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY

Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development · Notice #225659

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Board of Examiners in Optometry has adopted final rules about when a licensed optometrist (eye doctor) may hand off routine optometry tasks to an unlicensed helper. The rules carry out changes that a 2024 state law (House Bill 309) made to Alaska's optometry statutes. They take effect on November 26, 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

The Board adopted these regulations to address changes to Alaska Statutes (AS) 08.72 made by Chapter 37, Session Laws of Alaska (SLA) 2024, also known as House Bill (HB) 309. This notice announces that the adopted regulations have been approved and filed.

What action is being taken?

On October 8, 2026, the Board adopted regulations in Title 12, Chapter 48 of the Alaska Administrative Code. The regulations cover a licensed optometrist delegating routine optometry services to a non-licensed agent. The Department of Law reviewed and approved them, and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor signed and filed them on October 27, 2026. They take effect November 26, 2026. The changes will first appear in Register 260, January 2027, of the Alaska Administrative Code. A copy of the filed regulations is attached to the notice.

Who is involved: Alaska Board of Examiners in Optometry; licensed optometrists in Alaska and the non-licensed agents (assistants) who may perform delegated routine services.

How can the public respond?

This notice does not ask for public comment. It is for information only. Read the original notice for details.

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

  • Oct 8, 2026: Board of Examiners in Optometry adopted the regulations
  • Oct 27, 2026: Regulations signed and filed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor
  • Nov 26, 2026: Regulations take effect

Original notice text
On October 8, 2026, the Board of Examiners in Optometry adopted regulations in Title 12, Chapter 48 of the Alaska Administrative Code. The regulations concern delegation of routine services in optometry by a licensed optometrist to a non-licensed agent to address changes to AS 08.72 under 1 Chapter 37, SLA 2024 (HB 309). The regulations were reviewed and approved by the Department of Law, signed and filed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor on October 27, 2026, and are effective on November 26, 2026. Attached is a copy of the filed regulations. The regulation changes will first appear in Register 260, January 2027, of the Alaska Administrative Code.

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.