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Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Optometry
 
chapter
Regulations of the Virginia Board of Optometry [18 VAC 105 ‑ 20]
 
Guidance Documents
Chapter Information
Description Establishes qualifications for licensure, requirements for renewal and standards of practice for licensed optometrists.
State Authority Chapter 32 of Title 54.1
Federal Authority None entered
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Goals of Regulation 1) Achieve high ratings on Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for application process and renewal of licensure due to removal of any unnecessary requirements.
2) Reduction in number of disciplinary cases related to practice in a mercantile establishment.
Meetings See all meetings (17) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Kelli Moss  / Executive Director
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Email Address: kelli.moss@dhp.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)597-4077    FAX: (804)793-9145    TDD: ()-
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Removal of TPA formulary and formulary committee pursuant to SB1081
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Not yet submitted to Attorney General for certification.
Regulations for laser surgery certifications Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/01/2025.
Addition of NPDB report to licensure by endorsement process NOIRA Comment period is underway and will end on 06/04/2025.
Regulations for optometrist profiles and reporting Proposed Secretary of Health and Human Resources review in progress.

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Changes to patient counseling regarding opioid prescriptions pursuant to HB699
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/06/2024.
Amendment to allow agency subordinates to hear credentials cases Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/10/2024.
Addition to the TPA formulary
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/25/2022.
Contact lens rule Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/02/2023.
Waiver for e-prescribing Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/02/2022.
Addition of alpha-adrenergic agonists to TPA formulary
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/09/2020.
Handling fee Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/05/2020.
Repeal of professional designation rules and fees Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/29/2020.
Addition of gabapentin to TPA formulary
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/22/2020.
Inactive licenses Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/04/2020.
Prescribing of opioids Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/13/2019.
Periodic review Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/11/2019.
Renewal fee reduction and change of month
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/02/2018.
CE credit for volunteer work Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/09/2017.
Conforming to Code changes in 2016
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/21/2016.
Conforming TPA list to law
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/23/2015.
Reduction in renewal fees for 2015
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/23/2015.
Reduction in renewal fees for 2013
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/23/2013.
Regulatory reform changes Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/15/2015.
Clarification of continuing education requirements Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/17/2010.
Standards of conduct Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/17/2010.
Change of addresses
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/01/2009.
Changes to restricted volunteer registration
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/06/2008.
Additional requirements for licensure by examination Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/24/2007.
Fee reduction
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/04/2006.
Edit to name of testing agency
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/12/2006.
Change in returned check fee
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 04/05/2006.
Incorporation of requirements for TPA certification Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/30/2005.
Delegation to an agency subordinate Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/15/2005.
Adoption of treatment guidelines and TPA Formulary
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/08/2004.
Volunteer practice by out-of-state optometrists Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/02/2003.
Periodic review Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/15/2003.
Reinstatement fee reduction
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/06/2001.
Reduction in reinstatement fees
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/06/2001.

Withdrawn Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Changes to continuing education NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 07/19/2016 after the comment period had ended.
Fee increase NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 01/15/2013 after the comment period had ended.
Practice in mercantile establishments NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 06/19/2003 before the Governor's office completed its review.

Periodic Reviews
Last Activity Status
7/17/2023 Filed Pending
8/9/2016 Agency Completed Amend
10/16/2012 Agency Completed Amend
5/3/2013 Agency Completed Retain As Is
4/1/2001 Agency Completed Amend