Series 5282
Weber County (Utah). County Clerk Dentistry and Optometry Board certificates
Dates: 1907-1920.
0.50 cubic foot
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Scope and Content
This series contains certificates from the Boards of Examiners in Optometry and in Dentistry that were filed with the County Clerk. the earliest certificates found in the series were created in accordance with a law passed by the State Legislature in March 1894. The law required that all dentists receive a certificate in order to legally practice. Those already practicing were required to "register" by filing a notarized statement (name and office address) with the board of examiners in order to receive a certificate. Those entering the profession after the law took effect were required to complete an exam in dentistry observed by the board. The law also stated that applicants with diplomas from colleges "recognized by the National Association of Dental Examiners" could obtain a certificate. Following the obtainment of a certificate, applicants were required to file them with the appropriate county clerk. (Laws of Utah 1894, Ch. 52)
In 1909 the Legislature amended the law to create additional requirements for new applicants. This law required that the applicant, "is at least twenty-one years of age, of good moral character, and that he or she was a graduate of a reputable dental college, recognized by the National Association of Dental Examiners, or has practiced dentistry for at least two years, or has been a bona fide student of dentistry for at least three years, or has been under the immediate supervision of a reputable licensed dentist for at least three years" etc. The law also required a more extensive examination to be given by the board. Those already practicing simply demonstrated their legitimacy and legal authorization to practice. As before, a copy of the certificate was filed with the appropriate county clerk. (Laws of Utah 1909 Ch. 38)
In 1907 the State Legislature act was passed which required all currently practicing and new Optometrists to obtain a certificate from the Board of Examiners in Optometry in order to legally practice. In order to obtain a certificate, new Optometrists had to complete an examination in Optometry given by the board. Those currently practicing were required to file an affidavit to the board certifying their legitimacy in order to receive a certificate. The law also stated, "Recipients of said certificate of registration shall file the same or certified copy thereof, with the County clerk of the county in which they practice." Applicants were also required to renew every year. (Laws of Utah 1907, Ch. 85)
The certificates in this series include such information as name of the applicant, county of residence, signatures of Board of Examiner members, and the date and place the certificate was signed. The filing date and the signature of the county clerk are found on the reverse side. It should be noted that the original date of the certificates is often years earlier than the date of filing with the county clerk.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by profession, thereunder chronological by filing date.
Related Records
Biennial reports from the Board of Examiners in Optometry, Series 22863, contain information about the operation of the Board of Examiners in Optometry.
Custody History
It is not clear when the records in this series came to the State Archives, but they have most likely been in the Archives collection at least from the 1970s.
Additional Forms
This series is available online as part of the Utah State Archives Digital Archives.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Gaps in Series
The certificates found in this series are most likely not all of the certificates that were filed with the Weber County Clerk. This is evidenced by the fact that there are substantial gaps in years between several of the certificates.
Processing Note
This series was archivally processed by Wendy Brimhall in June 2016.
Finding Aids
Indexes: A name index is available.
Indexing Terms
- Dentistry--Utah--Weber County
- Optometry--Utah--Weber County
Page Last Updated .