N.J. Stat. tit. 45, ch. 12A

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-1 Definitions

As used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the following meanings: (a) "Board" means the State Board of Medical Examiners. (b) "Commission" shall mean the commission created in section 9 of this act. (c) "Orthoptics" means that field of vision training concerned with the inability of the patient to maintain fusion and binocular co-ordination. (d) "Orthoptist" shall mean a person trained to carry out technical functions of prescribed orthoptic care under specific directions, professional supervision and guidance and may provide services only to patients referred by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. L.1968, c. 114, s. 1, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-2 Use of title registered orthoptist; violations; establishment of standards

(a) It shall be a violation of this act for any person who is not registered under this act as an orthoptist except as provided in section 3 of this act, or whose registration has been suspended or revoked, or whose registration has lapsed and has not been revived, to render orthoptic services as defined in section 1 of this act, in this State; or to use in conjunction with his name the words registered orthoptist, or any letters, words or insignia indicating or implying that he is a registered orthoptist, or in any way, orally or in writing or in print or by sign or implication, to present or hold himself out as a registered orthoptist. (b) The commission created in section 9 of this act shall, by rules and regulations reported to the board and to the New Jersey State Board of Optometry, establish standards governing the practice of orthoptics, which standards shall be adhered to by persons registered under this act. L.1968, c. 114, s. 2, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-3 Applicant for registration; requirements

An applicant for registration as an orthoptist shall submit to the commission in such form as the commission may prescribe, evidence that the applicant (1) Has attained his or her twenty-first birthday; (2) Is a citizen of the United States or has declared his or her intention to become a citizen; (3) Is of good moral character; (4) Is a graduate of a high school approved by the New Jersey Department of Education or has equivalent education acceptable to the commission; (5) Has completed 2 years of college at a college approved by the commission or the equivalency thereof as approved by the commission; (6) Has completed a course of orthoptics of not less than 15 months at a college or institution approved by the commission; (7) Has completed 6 months of clinical training in a hospital or optometric or medical institution approved by the commission. The commission shall submit the names of the applicants who meet the qualifications set forth in this section to the board for registration. The list of registrants shall be submitted to the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists. L.1968, c. 114, s. 3, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-4 Registration by commission

The commission shall register as an orthopist any person who applies for such registration who meets the qualifications prescribed in section 3 of this act or who submits to the commission, within 1 year after this act takes effect evidence that the applicant has qualifications (1) and (3) provided in section 3 of this act, and has rendered orthoptic services for 1 year or more in the State of New Jersey prior to the date this act was approved. L.1968, c. 114, s. 4, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-5 Initial application; fee; expiration of registrations; renewals

Each initial application under this act shall be accompanied by a fee of $25.00. Registrations under this act shall expire on January 31 of each calendar year and shall be renewed upon application and payment of a fee of $10.00. L.1968, c. 114, s. 5, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-6 Records of patients; referring ophthalmologist or optometrist

The records of patients, the name of the referring ophthalmologist or optometrist, the records of direction and such other records as the commission may require shall be maintained by the orthoptist and a copy sent to the referring ophthalmologist or optometrist. L.1968, c. 114, s. 6, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-8 Record of proceedings; register of persons registered

The commission shall keep a record of its proceedings under this act and a register of all persons registered under it. The register shall show the name of every living person registered under this act, his last known place of employment and last known place of residence, and the date and number of his registration. The board shall compile annually a list of registered orthoptists registered in this State and shall make such list available upon request to the superintendent of every hospital or optometric institution and to every person authorized to practice medicine or optometry in this State. L.1968, c. 114, s. 8, eff. June 25, 1968.

N.J. Stat. § 45:12A-9 Orthoptic commission; membership; term; vacancies; appointments; meetings; expenses; appropriation

(a) There is hereby created in the Division of Professional Boards of the Department of Law and Public Safety, an Orthoptic Commission within the State Board of Medical Examiners. The commission shall consist of 6 members, 3 of whom shall be Board Certified Ophthalmologists who have practiced ophthalmology in the State of New Jersey for at least 5 years, and 3 of whom shall be optometrists licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey and who have practiced optometry in this State for at least 5 years. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor. The initial appointments to the commission shall be 2 members for a term of 1 year, one ophthalmologist and one optometrist; 2 members for a term of 2 years, one ophthalmologist and one optometrist; and 2 members for a term of 3 years, one ophthalmologist and one optometrist. Members shall thereafter be appointed for terms of 3 years. Each member shall hold office after the expiration of his term until a successor shall be duly appointed and qualified. A vacancy in the office of any member shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments and shall be filled for the unexpired term only, providing that any unexpired term of an ophthalmologist shall be filled by an ophthalmologist, and any unexpired term of an optometrist shall be filled by an optometrist in the same manner as original appointments are made. Each ophthalmological appointment shall be made by the Governor from a list of 3 names submitted by a related professional organization or society having not less than 100 members. Said nominees shall be members in good standing of said association or society. Each optometric appointment shall be made by the Governor from a list of 3 names submitted by the New Jersey Optometric Association. Said nominees shall be members in good standing of said association. (b) The commission shall meet at least twice a year and shall also meet upon the call of the Attorney General. The commission shall carry out its responsibility under this act. The Attorney General shall provide the advisory commission with such facilities and personnel as shall be required for the proper conduct of its business. The commission, with the approval of the Attorney General, may authorize reimbursement of the members for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission. (c) There is hereby appropriated to the Department of Law and Public Safety for the purposes of administering this act all fees and revenues received by the board from the effective date of this act. The expenditure of such appropriation shall be authorized by the Attorney General with the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. L.1968, c. 114, s. 9, eff. June 25, 1968.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026