CA State Board of Optometry

If you intend to use a fictitious name in connection with your practice, you must first apply for and obtain a fictitious name permit from the State Board of Optometry (SBO). This permit is renewed annually by January 31.

Note: The fictitious name must contain at least one of the following designations: “optometry” or “optometric.”

If you intend to obtain your glaucoma certification you must complete the online application for glaucoma certification. (Note: Doctors of optometry who completed their education from an accredited school or college of optometry on or after May 1, 2008, are exempt from the didactic course and case management requirements for glaucoma certification provided they submit proof of graduation from that institution to the SBO.)

If you intend to practice optometry in a health or residential care facility or nursing home, you must meet specific requirements, such as:

• Maintain a primary business office that is registered with the SBO, separate from the health facility or residential care facility, and is open to the public during normal business hours by telephone for purposes of billing services or access to patient records; and,

• Maintain records and make them available to the patient in a specified manner; and,

• Maintain patient prescription records in a specified manner; and,

• Possess and appropriately use the instruments and equipment required for all optometric services provided in the care facility or nursing home.

An optometrist who satisfies all of the requirements for the practice of optometry in a care facility or nursing home will not be required to provide notification to the SBO of each health facility, residential care facility or nursing home at which he or she practices.

For all requirements to practice in a health facility or residential care facility, click here.

Pending State Board of Optometry regulations, TPA certified ODs can come to the home of a patient who is unable to see an OD outside of their home due to a disabling physical or mental condition if the OD obtains a home residence permit from the State Board.

No permit is required if engaging in the temporary practice of optometry (no more than five calendar days during a 30-day period, and no more than 36 days within a calendar year)

In order to practice in a home residence, you must:

• Provide patients with a voluntary authorization form

• Furnish patients with a consumer notice provided by the Board of Optometry to be signed by the patient or caregiver

• Possess the equipment required for all services performed

• Maintain a primary business office, separate from a health facility, residential care facility, or home residence

• Maintain records for each prescription as part of the patient’s chart

• Allow patients access to their medical records

• Comply with state & federal law related to maintenance and protection of medical records

• Maintain patient records at primary office

• Include a copy of any referral or order requesting optometric services for a patient

For requirement specifics in the engagement of optometry in a home residence: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=3070.1.

TPA-Certified optometrists can administer immunizations after applying for certification from the SBO. For more information please visit HERE.

You must meet the following requirements:

• 1. Complete an immunization training program endorsed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education that, at a minimum, includes hands-on injection technique, clinical evaluation of indications and contraindications of vaccines, and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines, and maintains that training.

  2. Certified in basic life support.

  3. Comply with all state and federal record-keeping and reporting requirements, including providing documentation to the patient’s primary care provided and entering information in the appropriate immunization registry designated by the immunization branch of the State Department of Public Health.

Immunization Application Form

The application fee is $50. The completed form and required documentation must be mailed to the Board, along with a check for USD $50.00 (email submissions are not accepted). Once received, your certificate to administer immunizations will be mailed within 6 to 8 weeks.

If you have any questions, please email the Board: optometry@dca.ca.gov

Please contact the board directly if you plan on retiring your license.

A doctor of optometry who holds a license that is current and active may apply for a “retired” license. Holders of this license may not practice optometry for any reason, do not have to obtain continuing education and can only use the titles “retired optometrist” or “optometrist retired.” No renewal is required and there is a one-time application fee of $25. Please contact the board directly if you plan on retiring your license.

The holder of a retired license may reactivate his or her license in the following manners:

Holder of a retired license for less than three (3) years. Perform all of the below:

• Complete an SBO application for reactivation.

• Pay all accrued and unpaid reactivation fees as determined by the SBO. Pay all delinquency fees, if any.

• Submit proof of completion of the required number of continuing education hours for the previous two years.

Holder of a retired license for three (3) years or more. Perform all of the below:

• Complete an SBO application for reactivation.

• Pay the fee required of a first-time licensee.

• Pass two examinations: 1) the National Board of Examiners in Optometry’s Clinical Skills examination or other clinical examination approved by the SBO; and 2) the SBO’s Laws and Regulations Examination.

• Pay a fee equal to the license renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date or a reactivation fee as determined by the SBO, and any delinquency fees prescribed by the SBO.

Please contact the board directly if you plan on retiring your license.

Holders of this license are limited to the ability to only provide voluntary, unpaid optometric services at health fairs, vision screenings, and public service eye programs. A doctor of optometry may apply for this license designation under three scenarios:

1. The applicant holds a license that is current and active, or a retired license issued within the last three years or a license that has not been renewed and has expired within the last three years.

2. The applicant holds a retired license issued more than three, but less than five, years ago; or, a license that has not been renewed and has expired more than three, but less than five, years ago, and has completed an additional 50 hours of formal continuing optometric education coursework.

3. The applicant holds a retired license issued more than five years ago or a license that has not been renewed and has expired more than five years ago and has:

   • Completed an SBO application for reactivation.

   • Paid the fee required of a first-time licensee.

   • Passed two examinations: 1) the National Board of Examiners in Optometry’s Clinical Skills examination or other clinical examination approved by the SBO; and 2) the SBO’s Laws and Regulations Examination.

Holders of this license must complete the same continuing education required of all doctors of optometry. The license application fee is $50 and must be renewed every two years at a fee of $50.

If you intend to practice optometry as an employee or independent contractor at more than one location (in addition to your principal place of practice), you must first apply for and obtain a Statement of Licensure certificate to be placed in all practice locations other than your principal place of practice. This license is renewed at the same time as your optometrist license. You will receive a separate renewal reminder for this license at your address of record.

Exceptions to this requirement:

• If you engage in the “temporary practice” of optometry, which is defined as the practice of optometry at locations other than the optometrist’s principal place of practice for not more than five (5) calendar days during a 30-day period, and not more than 36 days within a calendar year. This exception applies to all practice locations where the optometrist is engaging in temporary practice, not to each practice location individually. If you are engaged in the temporary practice of optometry, you must carry and present upon demand evidence of your licensure. If the time period of the temporary practice needs to be extended for any reason, you must obtain the Statement of Licensure.

• If you provide optometric services in a health or residential care facility or nursing home (see “Health and Residential Care Facilities and Nursing Homes” above).

If you earn one or more of these certifications, you must have your license reissued to reflect the new practice authority granted. (Note: Graduates from an accredited school or college of optometry on or after May 1, 2008, are granted a license with certification to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPA), perform lacrimal irrigation and dilation (TPL) and certified to diagnose and treat primary open angle glaucoma (TLG).)