Optometrists
Special Requirements
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
The applicant, in order to be eligible for licensure by examination to practice optometry in the Virginia, shall:
1. Submit a completed application and the prescribed fee.
2. As part of the application for licensure, an applicant must sign a statement attesting that he has read, understands, and will comply with the statutes and regulations governing the practice of optometry in Virginia and complete the following educational requirements:
EDUCATION:
- Be a graduate of a school of optometry accredited by the Council on Optometric
- Education; and have an official transcript verifying graduation sent to the board; and
LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION:
A. The applicant, in order to be eligible for licensure by examination to practice optometry in the Commonwealth shall meet the requirements for TPA certification in 18VAC105-20-16 and shall:
1. Be a graduate of a school of optometry accredited by the Council on Optometric Education; have an official transcript verifying graduation sent to the board;
2. Request submission of an official report from the NBEO of a score received on each required part of the NBEO examination or other board-approved examination; and
3. Submit a completed application and the prescribed fee.
B. Applicants who passed the National Board Examination prior to May 1985 shall apply for licensure by endorsement.
C. Required examinations.
1. The board adopts all parts of the NBEO examination as its written examination for licensure. After July 1, 1997, the board shall require passage as determined by the board of Parts I, II, and III of the NBEO examination.
2. As part of the application for licensure, an applicant must sign a statement attesting that he has read, understands, and will comply with the statutes and regulations governing the practice of optometry in Virginia.
D. If an applicant has been licensed in another jurisdiction, the following requirements shall also apply:
1. The applicant shall attest that he is not a respondent in a pending or unresolved malpractice claim; and
2. Each jurisdiction in which the applicant is currently licensed shall verify that:
a. The license is full and unrestricted, and all continuing education requirements have been completed, if applicable;
b. The applicant is not a respondent in any pending or unresolved board action; and
c. The applicant has not committed any act that would constitute a violation of §54.1-3204 or 54.1-3215 of the Code of Virginia.
E. An applicant who did not complete all parts of the board-approved examination within five years prior to the date of receipt of their application for licensure by this board may be required to retake all or any part of the board-approved examination or take board-approved continuing education unless they demonstrate that they have maintained clinical, ethical, and legal practice for 36 of the past 60 months immediately prior to submission of an application for licensure.
LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT:
A. An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall meet the requirements for TPA certification, pay the fee and file a completed application that certifies the following:
1. The applicant has successfully completed a licensing examination or certification in optometry in any jurisdiction of the United States that is approximately comparable to the Virginia examination at the time of initial licensure.
2. The applicant has been engaged in active clinical practice for at least 36 months out of the last 60 months immediately preceding application.
3. The applicant is not a respondent in a pending or unresolved malpractice claim.
4. Each jurisdiction in which the applicant is currently licensed has verified that:
a. The license is full and unrestricted, and all continuing education requirements have been completed, if applicable;
b. The applicant is not a respondent in any pending or unresolved board action;
c. The applicant has not committed any act which would constitute a violation of the Code of Virginia; and
d. The applicant has graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry.
B. The applicant shall also provide proof of competency in the use of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPAs) which shall consist of a report from the national board of passing scores on all sections of Parts I and II of the NBEO examination taken in May 1985 or thereafter. If the applicant does not qualify through examination, he shall provide other proof of meeting the requirements for the use of DPA.
C. As part of the application for licensure, an applicant must sign a statement attesting that he has read, understands, and will comply with the statutes and regulations governing the practice of optometry in Virginia.
D. In the case of a federal service optometrist, the commanding officer shall also verify that the applicant is in good standing and provide proof of credentialing and quality assurance review to satisfy compliance with applicable requirements of subsection A of this section.
E. In the event the examinations for initial licensure are determined not comparable, the board may require the applicant to take and pass a regional or national practical examination.
F. An optometrist previously licensed in Virginia is not eligible for licensure by endorsement but may apply for reinstatement of licensure.
Required Fees:
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Initial application and licensure (including TPA certification)
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$250
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Application for TPA certification
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$200
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Annual licensure renewal without TPA certification
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$150
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Annual licensure renewal with TPA certification
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$200
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Late renewal without TPA certification
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$50
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Late renewal with TPA certification
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$65
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Returned check
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$35
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Professional designation application
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$100
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Annual professional designation renewal (per location)
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$50
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Late renewal of professional designation
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$20
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Reinstatement application fee (including renewal and late fees)
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$400
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Reinstatement application after disciplinary action
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$500
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Duplicate wall certificate
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$25
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Duplicate license
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$10
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Licensure verification
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$10
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For More Information, Contact:
National Board of Examiners in Optometry
4340 East West Highway,
Suite #1010
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301.652.5192
Phone: 800.969.3926
Fax: 301.907.0013
http://www.optometry.org/
[email protected]
Virginia Department Of Health Professions
Board Of Optometry
6603 West Broad St., 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23230-1712
Phone: 804.662.9910
TTY: 804.662.7197
Fax: 804.662.7098
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet291)
