The purpose of this amendment will extend the time period with which all portions of the licensure exam must be passed and amend the title of part IV of the examination and the subject areas and associated weights for the clinical portion of the ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Optometry

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
64B13-4.001: Examination Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this amendment will extend the time period with which all portions of the licensure exam must be passed and amend the title of part IV of the examination and the subject areas and associated weights for the clinical portion of the examination.

SUMMARY: The rule amendment will extend the time period with which all portions of the licensure exam must be passed and amend the title of part IV of the examination and the subject areas and associated weights for the clinical portion of the 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 Board 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 FAW.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Bruce Deterding, Executive Director, Board of Optometry, 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) through (c) No change.

(d) Part IV – the Patient Assessment and Management Clinical Science portion of the examination developed by the NBEO.

(2) An applicant must achieve a passing grade on all four parts of the Florida licensure examination. A score of 84 percent or better must be obtained in order to achieve a passing score on Part I 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 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, passing scores on Part III and Part IV of the Florida licensure examination must be obtained within the 7 5 year period immediately preceding June October 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.	36-46
	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.	11-21

 

	1. Confrontation Visual Field Testing for Neurologic Deficit (Finger Counting Visual Field Recognition, Location, and Disease Process)	7-12%
	2. Muscle Balance and Motility	2-7%
	3. Pupillary Examination	8-13%
	4. Objective Examination (Retinoscopy)	1-6%
	5. Subjective Refraction	1-6%
	6. Internal Examination by Means of Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy	15-20%
	7. Biomicroscopy Anterior	17-22%
	8. Biomicroscopy Posterior	16-21%
	(Fundus Lens)
	9. Goldmann Tonometry	9-14%
	10. Gonioscopy	6-11%

 

(b) The grading criteria for each subject area and the points associated with each criterion shall be as follows:

	1. Confrontation Visual Field Testing for Neurologic Deficit (Finger Counting and Visual Field Defect
	Recognition, Location, and Disease Process) Conducts specified visual field test in a manner consistent
	with obtaining accurate findings. Accurately identify visual field defect name, location, and disease process.	6-11
	2. 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.	3-8
	3. Pupillary Examination Conducts pupillary tests in a manner consistent with obtaining accurate findings.	5-10
	4. Objective Examination (Retinoscopy) Conducts Retinoscopy in a manner capable of obtaining a visual acuity of 20/30.		2-7
	5. Subjective Refraction Conducts refraction in a manner capable of obtaining a visual acuity of 20/20.	2-7
	6. Internal Examination by Means of Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy Accurately views and evaluates retinal landmark as requested.	16-21
	7. Biomicroscopy (Anterior) Uses proper technique to demonstrate requested views of anterior structures of eye.	20-25
	8. Biomicroscopy Posterior (Fundus lens) Accurately views and evaluates posterior landmarks as requested.	16-21
	9. Tonometry Demonstrates accurate technique for the measurement of intra-ocular pressure.	7-12
	10. Gonioscopy Demonstrates accurate technique for identifying angle structures.	4-9

 

(c) through (d) No change.

(e) 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.

1. Group A:

Number of Case History Items: 7 cases

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 Case History Items: 4 cases

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

Disease Type: Congenital, Degenerative, Dystrophic Vascular, Traumatic

3. Group C:

Number of Case History Items: 2 cases

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

Disease Type: Toxic, Inflammatory, Infectious

4. Group D:

Number of Case History Items: 2 cases

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

Disease Type: Surgical Complications

5. Group E:

Number of Case History Items: 2 cases

Eye Structures: Cornea, Iris/ciliary body

Disease Type: Congenital, Degenerative, Dystrophic Vascular, Traumatic

6. Group F:

Number of Case History Items: 3 cases

Disease Type: Primary and Secondary Open and Closed Angle Glaucoma

7. Group G:

Number of Case History Items: 3 cases

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

8. Group H:

Number of Case History Items: 2 cases

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.

(4) Certification Examination. A licensee applying for certification must obtain a passing score on the TMOD part of the Patient Assessment and Management portion score on part II 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 88-94, 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,___________.

 

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: July 20, 2011

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: January 13 and February 3, 2012