All new licenses are issued with certification to use, administer, and prescribe TOPICAL and NON-TOPICAL pharmaceutical agents (AT), see list on this page. AT is the minimum required certification for which all optometrists must be qualified in order to practice.
Additional criteria must be met in order to be certified to use, administer and prescribe the NON-TOPICAL pharmaceutical formulary with the INJECTION endorsement (ATI).
Pursuant to ORS 683.060(2), the Board will require a passing score on Parts I, II, and III (PAM, and Clinical Skills), and TMOD (Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease) of the National Boards of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). NBEO standards for passing the NBEO examination will be acceptable to the Board.
The applicant for examination and licensure must:
Submit documentation of continuing education hours as required in OAR 852 Division 70; see list of required courses on this page.
Pass, by a score of 80 or better, a Board-approved written examination relating to Oregon optometric law and administrative rules within 12 months before the date of Oregon licensure. Because the Administrative Rule and Law examination is not clinical in nature, there is no waiting period before an examination retake. If the examination is not available through the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, the Board will set location(s), date(s) time(s), and fees for administration of the examination.
Provide a copy of the official final transcript from an accredited college of optometry indicating receipt of the doctor of optometry degree. Transcripts must be mailed to the Board office--electronic copies are not accepted;
Provide a copy of the record establishing satisfactory completion of a course in pharmacology as it applies to optometry from an institution approved under ORS 683.040(2) when applicable;
Provide verification of the passage of the examination of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO);
Payment of the application fee as listed in OAR 852-010-0080;
Provide written confirmation sent directly from the licensing entity of each other state in which the candidate has ever been licensed that the candidate for licensure has not been sanctioned for violating the laws, rules, and standards of ethics of that jurisdiction. Electronic copies are acceptable if they are complete and include discipline history;
Provide documentation of current CPR certification, as required in OAR 852-80-0040. Please see the Board's website of approved CPR providers. You'll need to complete a hands-on course for initial licensure;
Provide proof of meeting the requirements of OAR 852 Division 80 – Pharmaceutical Agents, for licensure with the non-topical certification (AT) or non-topical certification with injections (ATI); and
Provide satisfactory results of a criminal records background check as defined in OAR 852-050-0025.