An update from the State Board of Optometry

The State Board of Optometry (SBO) recently held a two-day meeting that covered a variety of legislative and regulatory issues. The SBO received a legislative update on its sponsored legislation, SB 402, Mitchell, which requires school-aged children to receive a comprehensive eye examination. Also discussed was COA’s sponsored legislation, SB 622, Hernandez, which increases the number of services doctors of optometry can provide.

Proposed continuing education expansion

The SBO also voted to initiate the rulemaking process on a regulation that would authorize doctors of optometry to apply certain continuing medical education (CME) to their CE requirements. If enacted, the rule would authorize acceptance for any CE course approved for category 1 of the American Medical Association or category  1A of the American Osteopathic Association CME credits that contributes to the advancement of professional skill and knowledge in the practice of optometry. Once the rulemaking process begins, COA will reach out to the membership for its comments on the proposal.

Additionally, the SBO discussed potentially adding a regulation to increase the number of CE hours that can be earned by subject matter experts who participate in law exam workshops and for those who attend a day-long SBO meeting. This proposal is anticipated to be debated further at the next SBO meeting.

SBO officers and member appointments

The SBO recently elected new officers listed below:

• Madhu Chawla, OD, professional member – President
• Cyd Brandvein, public member – Vice President
• Rachel Michelin, public member – Secretary