Examination Requirements for Optometry Clinical Examination defines areas that must be covered by the examination and also identifies the exact percentage of items that should be devoted to each area. Both stipulations are intended to reflect the ...

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Optometry

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B13-4.001: Examination Requirements
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Examination Requirements for Optometry Clinical Examination defines areas that must be covered by the examination and also identifies the exact percentage of items that should be devoted to each area. Both stipulations are intended to reflect the current knowledge needed by optometry practitioners in order to protect the health and welfare of the public.
The knowledge in a field like optometry changes over time. Consequently, a new task analysis of the profession is conducted and modification of the examination is made as needed. In between task analyses, subject matter experts are engaged on a yearly basis to review the existing composition of the examination and identify areas that may need minor modification in order to keep the examination up to date, to help ensure that the examination is both current and valid.
Theoretically, every time subject matter experts identify even small needed medications, a rule change should be proposed to the Board to authorize this revision. However, making rule changes is a relatively complex undertaking and may take several months.
Therefore, the Board is specifying percentage ranges for the various items in the examination, rather than exact percentages, in the examination rule.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Examination Requirements.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.017(2), 463.005, 463.006(2) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017(2), 463.006(2) FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Joe Baker, Jr., Executive Director, Board of Optometry, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3259

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

64B13-4.001 Examination Requirements.

The examination for licensure shall consist of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examination (hereafter NBEO examination), and Parts I and II of the state examination for licensure. The examination for certification of a licensee shall consist of the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (hereafter TMOD) part of the NBEO.

(1) No change.

(2) State Examination.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) Part II of the state examination shall consist of a clinical portion and a pharmacology/ocular disease portion.

1. The subject areas and associated weights for the clinical portion of the practical examination shall be as follows:

 

	a. Confrontation Visual Field Testing forNeurologic Deficit (Finger Counting Visual Field
	Recognition, Location, and Disease Process)	7-12% 9%
	b. Muscle Balance and Motility	2-7% 4%
	c. Pupillary Examination	8-13% 8%
	d. Objective Examination (Retinoscopy)	1-6% 2%
	e. Subjective Refraction	1-6% 3%
	f. Internal Examination by Means of
	Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy	15-20% 18.5%
	g. Biomicroscopy Anterior	17-22% 21.5%
	h. Biomicroscopy Posterior	16-21% 17%
	(Fundus Lens)
	i. Goldmann Tonometry	9-14% 10%
	j. Gonioscopy	6-11% 7%

 

2. The grading criteria for each subject area and the points associated with each criterion shall be as follows:

 

	a. Confrontation Visual Field Testing for Neurologic Deficit (Finger Counting and
	Visual Field Defect Recognition, Location, and Disease Process)	6-11 9
	1.1. Conducts specified visual field test
	in a manner consistent with obtaining
	accurate findings. Accurately identify visual
	field defect name, location, and
	disease process.
	b. Muscle Balance and Motility Testing	3-8 4
	1.1 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.
	c. Pupillary Examination	5-10 8
	1.1 Conducts pupillary tests in a manner
	consistent with obtaining accurate findings.
	d. Objective Examination (Retinoscopy)	2-7 2
	1.1. Conducts Retinoscopy in a manner
	capable of obtaining a visual acuity of
	20/30
	e. Subjective Refraction	2-7 3
	1.1. Conducts refraction in a manner
	capable of obtaining a visual acuity of
	20/20
	f. Internal Examination by Means of
	Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy	16-21 18.5
	1.1. Accurately views and evaluates
	retinal landmark as requested
	g. Biomicroscopy (Anterior)	20-25 21.5
	1.1. Uses proper technique to
	demonstrate requested views of anterior
	structures of eye
	h. Biomicroscopy Posterior (Fundus lens.)	16-21 17
	1.1. Accurately views and evaluates
	posterior landmarks as requested.
	i. Tonometry	7-12 10
	1.1. Demonstrates accurate technique
	for the measurement of intra-ocular
	pressure
	j. Gonioscopy	4-9 7
	1.1. Demonstrates accurate technique
	for identifying angle structures

 

3. through 6. No change.

(3) No change.

Specific Authority 456.017(2), 463.005, 463.006(2) FS. Law Implemented 456.017(2), 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,________.