Optometric Scope of Practice

January 12, 2009

As of January 1, 2009, the provisions of Business and Professions Code 3041 now allow any therapeutic pharmaceutical agent (TPA) certified California licensed optometrist who graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry on or after May 1, 2000, to be certified to perform lacrimal irrigation and dilation (TPL) for patients over 12 years of age excluding probing of the nasal lacrimal tract. Also, TPA certified California licensed optometrists who graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry on or after May 1, 2008, will be certified to perform lacrimal irrigation and dilation for patients over 12 years of age excluding probing of the nasal lacrimal tract and treat glaucoma (TLG) as defined under specified certification standards.

Please Note: We are currently working with the Department of Consumer Affairs and making an audit of licensees' files in order to automatically update their licenses so that they will reflect their new classification online. This process should be completed no later than the end of January 2009. Licensees who graduated on or after May 1, 2008 who wish to obtain a license showing their TLG Certification may complete a Request for Reissue of Certification for TPL or TLG Certification form, which can be found here.

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