HB 245 Summary

• Requires optometrist applicants to graduate from a board-recognized school or college of optometry and pass written and practical examinations on ocular pharmacology, nontopical therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (at least 23 hours), and optometry injection courses (at least 7 hours).

• Establishes a retired status optometrist license that is valid for the license holder's lifetime, does not require renewal, and exempts holders from renewal requirements while prohibiting them from practicing optometry in the state.

• Allows persons with retired status licenses to reapply for active licensure if they meet reasonable criteria established by board regulations.

• Removes requirement for an endorsement to prescribe and use pharmaceutical agents, allowing any licensed optometrist to prescribe nontopical agents for ocular disease, ocular adnexal disease, or emergency anaphylaxis subject to specified restrictions.

• Takes effect immediately and includes transitional provisions allowing existing licensees without pharmaceutical endorsements to obtain restricted licenses with modified continuing education requirements.