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OPR supports optometry specialty credential to allow advanced procedures; committee advances S64
Summary
The Office of Professional Regulation endorsed S64 to authorize an optometry specialty credential for specified advanced procedures (laser, injection, certain surgeries); OPR said a $100 specialty credential fee would cover initial administrative costs and the committee reported the bill favorably.
The Office of Professional Regulation told Senate Finance it supports S64, a scope-expansion bill that would allow optometrists to obtain a specialty credential for advanced procedures — including certain laser and injection treatments — provided they complete specified educational and supervised preceptorship requirements.
Jen Coleman, director of OPR, said the office began reviewing scope changes in 2019 and after surveys of U.S. optometry schools concluded that adequate educational foundations exist. OPR recommended requiring an eight-hour supervised preceptorship and procedure-count requirements before issuing the specialty credential. OPR said it does not expect an appropriation because OPR operates on licensing-fee revenue; the specialty credential would carry an initial $100 application fee and no renewal fee under current practice.
JFO estimated the initial fee revenue would be modest — about $5,000–$6,000 if roughly a third of the state's ~168 optometrists applied for the specialty — and that future renewals would add incremental revenue. Committee members questioned administrative details and accepted the fee justification; the committee voted to report S64 favorably as received from the House committee.
Jen Coleman summarized the safety review and training requirements and emphasized that OPR would administer the credential process under existing statutory authority for specialty credentials.
