(a) Only licensees may own a business entity that practices optometry.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 30-8-17

  • Business entity: means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity owned by licensees that practices optometry. See West Virginia Code 30-8-3
  • Licensee: means an optometrist licensed under the provisions of this article. See West Virginia Code 30-8-3
  • Practice of optometry: means the examining, diagnosing and treating of any visual defect or abnormal condition of the human eye or its appendages within the scope established in this article or associated rules. See West Virginia Code 30-8-3

(b) A licensee may be employed by the business entity.

(c) A business entity shall cease to engage in the practice of optometry when it is not wholly owned by licensees: Provided, That the personal representative of a deceased shareholder shall have a period, not to exceed eighteen months from the date of such shareholder's death, to dispose of such shares.