Applying for TPA Certification
To apply for TPA certification you must submit the board application along with a $25 (non-refundable) application fee. In addition you must meet the following requirements:
- TPA DIDACTIC COURSE & FINAL EXAMINATION: If you graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry prior to January 1, 1992, you must successfully complete a didactic course of at least 80 classroom hours in the diagnosis, pharmacology, and other treatment and management of ocular disease offered by an accredited school or college of optometry or recognized ophthalmological residency review committee in California and given after July 1, 1992. Certification of course completion and passage of the final examination must be received by the board from the institution attended to satisfy this requirement.
- TMOD EXAMINATION: If you graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry prior to January 1, 1992, you must successfully pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) TMOD examination administered after July 1, 1992. A copy of your TMOD scores must be submitted to the board office. You should contact the office of the NBEO at (301) 652-5192 to request that a copy of your TMOD scores be sent to the board.
- SELF DIRECTED EDUCATION: All applicants must successfully complete a minimum of 20 hours of self-directed education. You must indicate whether you have fulfilled this requirement by checking the appropriate box in item #4 of the application.
Optometrists who have been certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPA) must complete 50 hours of board certified CE every two years as a requirement to renew their license as active. The law requires that 35 of those 50 hours be on the treatment and management of ocular disease in any of the following:
- Glaucoma
- Ocular infection
- Inflammation
- Systemic medication
- Pain medication
