California State Board Update: Licensure
On March 30, 2020 Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-39-20, authorizing the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to waive any of the professional licensing requirements relating to healing arts licensees in Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, and any accompanying regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the examination, education, experience, and training requirements necessary to obtain and maintain licensure, and requirements governing the practice and permissible activities for licensees.
The California State Board of Optometry (CSBO) is working closely with the Department of Consumer Affairs to determine which licensing requirement waivers would allow individuals to continue assisting with the COVID-19 pandemic and allow licensees regulated by CSBO to maintain and renew a license and remain employed.
Current waivers in place applicable to optometry licensees are:
• For individuals with active licenses that expire between March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, continuing education requirements are temporarily waived for purposes of license renewal. Any waived renewal requirements must be met within six months of this order, unless further extended.
• At this time, the waiver for requirements to renew an active or delinquent license is specific to the continuing education requirement and does not include fees or the limitation on the number of hours that can be earned through online or distance CE (currently a maximum of 20 hours).
• For individuals with a license that has been in retired, inactive, or canceled status for less than five years, continuing education requirements and fee requirements are waived to reactivate their license. A license reactivated pursuant to this waiver is valid for a maximum of six months, or when the State of Emergency ceases to exist, whichever is sooner. This does not apply to any licenses canceled due to disciplinary action.
A full list of waivers will be placed on the DCA website as they are approved. DCA also has an FAQ with waiver request information.
CSBO encourages licensed optometrists to be part of the workforce to support the medical surge during this time of need. The state is in need of help at quarantine sites, testing sites, and medical surge facilities and needs assistance with pre-hospital triage and pharmacy services. Interested medical and health care professionals are encouraged to visit healthcorps.ca.gov for more information and to register for the California Health Corps.
CSBO thanks licensed optometrists for doing their part during the COVID-19 health emergency.
California State Board of Optometry
2450 Del Paso Road, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-575-7170