The Board proposes to amend the rule to establish portions of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Examination as the Florida Licensure Examination.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Optometry

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B13-4.001Examination Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes to amend the rule to establish portions of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Examination as the Florida Licensure Examination.

SUMMARY: The rule amendment will to amend the rule to establish portions of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Examination as the Florida Licensure Examination.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.017(1), 463.005, 463.006(2) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017(1), 463.006(2) FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: William Miller, Executive Director, Board of Optometry/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3257

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B13-4.001 Examination Requirements.

(1) The Florida licensure examination authorized in Section 463.006(2), F.S., shall consist of the following parts:

(a) Part I – the Applied Basic Science (ABS) portion of the examination developed by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) a written examination on applicable Florida laws and rules governing the practice of optometry developed by the Florida Department of Health;

(b) Part II – the Patient Assessment and Management (PAM) portion of the examination developed by the NBEO which includes an embedded Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) examination. An applicant for licensure in Florida must obtain a passing score on the TMOD section of the examination a practical examination containing a clinical portion and a pharmacology/ocular disease portion developed by the Florida Department of Health;

(c) Part III – the Clinical Skills (CSE) portion of the examination developed by the NBEO. In addition to an overall passing score on the CSE portion, an applicant for licensure in Florida must obtain a score of 75 percent(75%) or better on the Biomicroscopy, Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy, and Dilated Biomicroscipy and Non-Contact Fundus Lens Evaluation skills. the Applied Basic Science portion of the examination developed by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO); and

(d) Part IV – a written examination on applicable Florida laws and rules governing the practice of optometry developed by the Florida Department of Health, which may not be taken prior to graduation from a school or college of optometry and application for licensure the Patient Assessment and Management portion of the examination developed by the NBEO.

(2) An applicant for licensure must achieve a passing score grade on all four parts of the Florida licensure examination. A score of 84 percent (84%) or better must be obtained in order to achieve a passing score on Part IV of the Florida licensure examination. A score of 80 percent or better must be obtained on each section of Part II in order to achieve a passing score on Part II of the Florida licensure examination. Passing scores for Part I, Part II, and Part III and Part IV of the Florida licensure examination are established by the NBEO. Given constant advances in research, and developing knowledge in the area of basic and clinical science as applied to the diagnosis, correction, remedy, and relief of insufficiencies or abnormal conditions of the human eyes and their appendages, variances the scope of optometric practice among the states, and the importance of fundamental clinical skills to patient health and safety, passing scores on Part I, Part II, and Part III and Part IV of the Florida licensure examination must be obtained within the seven 7 year period immediately preceding application to take Part IV of the licensure examination June 1 of the year that the applicant takes Parts I and II of the Florida licensure examination. Provided, however, an applicant must submit qualifying passing scores on Part III and Part IV no later than July 1 of the year the applicant applies to take Parts I and II of the Florida licensure examination.

(3) Part II of the Florida licensure examination shall consist of a clinical portion and a pharmacology/ocular disease portion. Each subject area will be tested on every exam but not every topic in that subject area will be tested on every exam.

(a) The subject areas and associated weights for the clinical portion of Part II shall be as follows:

 

	1. Ocular Metrics-Ocular Coherence Tomography, Retinal Photography, Corneal Topography, Ultrasound (B scan/A scan), Electro Diagnostic Testing (ERG, VEP, EOG) Recognition, Location, and Disease Process.	7-12%
	2. Neuro-Optometric Testing-Muscle Balance and Motility/Pupillary Examination/ Visual Field Testing for Neurologic Deficit-(Finger Counting Visual Field).	10-20%
	3. Refractive Testing-Objective Examination (Retinoscopy)/Subjective Refraction	2-12%
	4.Internal Anantomical Ocular Examination by Means of Direct and Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy/Posterior (Fundus Lens).	15-20%
	5. External Anantomical Ocular Examination-(Biomicroscopy Anterior).	33-43%
	6. Internal Ocular Fluid Dynamics-Goldmann Tonometry, Gonioscopy, Pachemetry, Ocular Blood Flow.	15-25%
	(b) The grading criteria for each subject area and the points associated with each criterion shall be as follows:
	1. Ocular Metrics-Conducts specified tests in a manner consistent with obtaining accurate findings. Accurately identify name, location, and disease process.	6-11
	2. Neuro-Optometric Testing-Muscle Balance and Motility Testing-Conducts examinations in a manner that will allow for evaluation of any phoric and/or tropic posture, deficiencies in extra ocular muscles, or cranial nerve paresis. Pupillary Examination-Conducts pupillary tests in a manner consistent with obtaining accurate findings.	8-18
	3. Refractive Testing-Objective Examination (Retinoscopy)-Conducts Retinoscopy in a manner capable of obtaining a visual acuity of 20/30. Subjective Refraction-Conducts refraction in a manner capable of obtaining a visual acuity of 20/20.	4-14
	4. Internal Anantomical Ocular Examination by Means of Direct and Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy Accurately views and evaluates/Biomicroscopy Posterior (Fundus lens)-Accurately views and evaluates posterior landmarks as requested.	16-21
	5. External Anantomical Ocular Examination-Biomicroscopy (Anterior)-Uses proper technique to demonstrate requested views of anterior structures of eye. 6. External Anantomical Ocular Examination-Tonometry-Demonstrates accurate technique for the measurement of intra-ocular pressure. Gonioscopy-Demonstrates accurate technique for identifying angle structures. Pachimetry-Demonstrates accurate technique for identifying corneal thickness. Ocular Blood Flow-Demonstrates ability to read results or accurate technique for identifying blood flow.	36-46   11-21

 

(c) Each candidate shall be required to provide one person who meets the criteria listed below to serve as a patient in the examination. An individual may serve as the patient for only one candidate. In the event that the first person provided by the candidate to serve as a patient is examined by the Department and found not to meet the criteria listed below, the candidate shall have one additional opportunity within two hours after being notified of the rejection of his or her patient to present another person to serve as a patient. The individual which a candidate provides to serve as a patient in the examination shall:

1. Be an alert, responsive, English-speaking adult between the ages of 18 and 65,

2. Eye to be refracted has spherical objective and subjective error calibrated in minus cylinder form within + 6.00D to - 6.00D and has an astigmatic correction objectively and subjectively within + 4.00D to - 4.00D including plano,

3. Eye to be refracted is correctable to 20/20 vision; the other eye correctable to 20/50 or better,

4. Has not worn hard or gas permeable contact lens within three months of the examination,

5. Has not worn extended wear or soft wear contact lenses the day of the examination,

6. Both eyes be safe to dilate, and

7. Shall not be, nor have ever been licensed in any state as an optometrist, be an optometry student, be an optometric or ophthalmic technician, or in any way connected with the practice of optometry or with any vision-oriented profession or business.

(d) An applicant must attain a score of 80 percent or better in order to secure a passing grade on the clinical portion of the practical examination.

(e) Twenty five case history items on the phamacology/pathology portion of the practical examination are distributed according to the following content emphasis: Each subject area will be tested on every exam but not every topic in that subject area will be tested on every exam.

1. Group A:

Number of items: 7/28 Questions

Eye Structure: Adnexa (lids, lashes, lacrimal, apparatus), Conjunctiva (bulbar and palpebral), Sclera/episclera, Cornea, Iris/ciliary body.

Disease Type: Toxic, Inflammatory, Infectious.

2. Group B:

Number of Items: 4/16 Questions

Eye Structures: Lens, Vitreous, Retina/choroid, Macular disease

Disease Type: Congenital, Degenerative, Dystrophic Vascular, Traumatic

3. Group C:

Number of Items: 2/9 Questions

Eye Structure: Lens, Vitreus, Retina/choroid, Macular disease

Disease Type: Toxic, Inflammatory, Infectious

4. Group D:

Number of Items: 2/9 Questions

Eye Structures: Cornea, Iris/ciliary body, Lens, Vitreous, Retina/choroid, Macular disease

Disease Type: Surgical Complications

5. Group E:

Number of Items: 2/9 Questions

Eye Structures: Cornea, Iris/ciliary body

Disease Type: Congenital, Degenerative, Dystrophic Vascular, Traumatic

6. Group F:

Number of Items: 3/12 Questions

Disease Type: Primary and Secondary Open and Closed Angle Glaucoma

7. Group G:

Number of Items: 3/10 Questions

Eye Structures: Neurological Disease (optic nerve, Visual pathway, orbit, motility)

8. Group H:

Number of Items: 2/10 Questions

Eye Structures: Adnexa (lids, lashes, lacrimal, apparatus), Conjunctiva (bulbar and palpebral), Sclera/Episclera, Cornea, Iris/Ciliary body, Lens, Vitreous, Retina/choroid, Mascular disease, Glaucoma, Neurological Disease (optic nerve, Visual pathway, orbit)

Disease Type: Tumors

(f) An applicant must attain a score of 80 percent or better in order to secure a passing grade on the pharmacology/pathology portion of the practical examination.

(3)(4) Certification Examination. A licensee applying for certification must obtain a passing score on either the TMOD examination embedded in the Patient Assessment and Management portion of the examination devleoped by the NBEO or a passing score on the stand alone TMOD examination developed by the NBEO the TMOD part of the Patient Assessment and Management portion of the NBEO or must have obtained a passing score on the state certification examination.

Rulemaking Authority 456.017(1), 463.005, 463.006(2) FS. Law Implemented 456.017(1), 463.006(2) FS. History–New 11-13-79, Amended 5-28-80, 7-10-80, 8-20-81, 2-14-82, 6-6-82, 10-3-82, 4-10-84, 5-29-85, Formerly 21Q-4.01, Amended 7-21-86, 11-20-86, 7-27-87, 7-11-88, 7-18-91, 4-14-92, Formerly 21Q-4.001, Amended 2-14-94, Formerly 61F8-4.001, Amended 8-8-94, 11-21-94, 4-21-96, Formerly 59V-4.001, Amended 7-27-99, 7-15-02, 3-8-04, 4-22-10, 10-13-10, 7-21-11, 6-5-12,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Optometry

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Optometry

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 12, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 23, 2013