MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

(a) An optometrist or therapeutic optometrist member of the board must have been a resident of this state engaged in the practice of optometry or therapeutic optometry in this state for the five years preceding the date of the member's appointment. (b) A person is not eligible for appointment as a public member of the board if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is registered, certified, or licensed by an occupational regulatory agency in the field of health care; (2) is employed by or participates in the management of or is an officer or paid consultant of a business entity or other organization that provides health care services or that sells, manufactures, or distributes health care supplies or equipment; (3) owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly, a financial interest in a business entity or other organization that provides health care services or that sells, manufactures, or distributes health care supplies or equipment; or (4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or funds from the board, other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for board membership, attendance, or expenses.