(a) Every person eligible for an eye examination, the payment for which shall or may be made out of public money, is guaranteed his or her freedom of choice between persons licensed under the laws governing the practice of optometry, § 17-90-101 et seq., and persons licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq.
(b) Every person eligible for an ear examination the payment for which shall or may be made out of public money is guaranteed his or her freedom of choice between persons licensed under the Licensure Act of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, § 17-100-101 et seq., or persons licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq.