To clarify requirements of the existing rule regarding minimum passing scores.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Optometry

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B13-4.001Examination Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To clarify requirements of the existing rule regarding minimum passing scores.

SUMMARY: To clarify that applicants must receive an overall – as well as individual – passing score on identified skills in Part III of licensure examination.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST 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: The rule amendments serve only to clarify existing requirements and do not modify current rule requirements. To the contrary, the Board believes the clarification will reduce confusion, regulatory delays and burdens.

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 ANNOUNCED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Adrienne Rodgers, Executive Director, Board of Optometry, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3257, [phone]

 

THE TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B13-4.001 Examination Requirements.

(1)(a) through (b) No change.

(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 each of the Biomicroscopy, Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy, and Dilated Biomicroscopy and Non-Contact Fundus Lens Evaluation skills individually; and

(d) No change.

(2) An applicant for licensure must achieve a passing score on all four parts of the licensure examination. For Part III, an applicant must receive an overall passing score on the CSE, as well as the required score of 75 percent (75%) or better on each of the three (3) individually identified skills, on the same test attempt. A score of 84 percent (84%) or better must be obtained in order to achieve a passing score on Part IV of the licensure examination. Passing scores for Part I, Part II, and Part III of the licensure examination are established by the NBEO. Given constant advances in research, 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 of the licensure examination must be obtained within the seven (7) year period immediately preceding application to take Part IV of the licensure examination.

(3) No change.

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, 2-27-14,_________.

 

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 23, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: April 29, 2014