Mourot v. Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians

John I. Purtle, Justice.

The Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians was created by Act 589 of 1981 (Ark. Stat. Ann. §§ 72-2102 — 72-2123 [Supp. 1983]). Among the Board’s duties are the registration and licensure of dispensing opticians. Applicants for registration or licensure are normally required to successfully complete an examination of their professional skills. However, section nine of the Act (Ark. Stat. Ann. § 72-2109) is a “grandfather clause” which allows the registration or licensure, without examination, of dispensing opticians who meet certain requirements. Under section nine, the…