Where must the lay board member reside?

• A. Resident of any state
• B. Non-resident with special permit
• C. City resident only
• D. Legal resident of Oklahoma

Answer: (D)

Ownership of jurisdiction and accountability rests with residents of the state. A lay board member must be a legal resident of Oklahoma so they are subject to Oklahoma laws, regulations, and the interests of the state's public. This residency ties the board’s decisions to the community it serves and ensures the member has a genuine stake in Oklahoma’s professional standards. Being from another state or limited to a city-only residency wouldn’t align with the board’s need for state-wide authority and alignment with Oklahoma’s regulatory framework. Therefore, the required criterion is that the lay board member be a legal resident of Oklahoma.