(a) Each person practicing optometry shall register biennially with the division director by completing and filing a form to be furnished by the board.

(b) The board may approve educational programs to be held within or outside this state. The board shall approve only such educational programs as are available to all persons practicing optometry in the state on a reasonable nondiscriminatory fee basis. Any request for board approval of an educational program shall be submitted in a timely manner with due regard for the necessity of investigation and consideration by the board. The board may contract with institutions of higher learning, professional organizations, or qualified individuals for the providing of programs that meet this requirement; and such programs shall be self-sustaining by the individual fees set and collected by the provider of the program. The minimum number of hours of continuing education required shall be fixed by the board by February 1 of each calendar year. In no instance may the board require a greater number of hours of study than are available at approved courses held within the state; and the board is authorized to waive this requirement in cases of certified illness or undue hardship. Continuing education requirements fixed by the board pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to persons practicing optometry who are 65 or more years of age.

(c) Failure to register, to pay the registration fee, or to submit satisfactory proof of training shall forfeit the certificate of the delinquent optometrist; but a practitioner's certificate may be restored upon payment of all delinquent registration fees, a penalty as established by the board, and the submission of satisfactory proof of training.