HAWAII BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the requirements to become licensed as an optometrist in
Hawaii?
All applicants are required to:
Be a graduate from an Accreditation Council on Optometric
Education (“ACOE”) optometric college, school, or university
approved by the Board;
Pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (“NBEO”) Exam
parts I, II, and III;
Submit payment of the appropriate fees.
If license is issued in an EVEN-NUMBERED year = $242.
If license is issued in an ODD-NUMBERED year = $107
To become licensed in Hawaii via reciprocity, an optometrist who has a current
and active license in another state or jurisdiction may seek licensure via
reciprocity, subject to the following:
The originating state accords like privileges to the licensees of this
State;
The education requirements of the originating state are equivalent
or greater than those of this State, as specified in §459-7, Hawaii
Revised Statutes (“HRS”);
The applicant has met the requirements of §16-92-10, Hawaii
Administrative Rules (“HAR”)’;
The applicant has passed the NBEO Exam parts I, II, and III;
The applicant has been engaged in the practice of optometry
continuously for not less than four of the five years immediately
preceding the date of the application;
The applicant has not committed acts which constitute professional
misconduct, gross carelessness or negligence, or manifest
incapacity in the practice of optometry;
A verification of license from all states or jurisdictions in which the
applicant is licensed indicating that the license is in good standing
and has not been or is not currently in the process of being
investigated, suspended or revoked by that state.
2. What are the requirements to obtain a Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent
(“TPA”) certification in Hawaii?
All applicants are required to:
Be a licensed optometrist in Hawaii;
Complete a 100-hour board-approved course in the treatment and
management of ocular diseases. Graduates from an approved
optometric school after January 1, 1997, may satisfy this
requirement by having the school submit written verification that
the applicant has completed at least 100 hours of education in the
treatment and management of ocular diseases.
Pass the NBEO Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease
(“TMOD”) examination.
Completion of 100 hours of preceptorship under the supervision of a
licensed ophthalmologist. Preceptorship hours must be earned
after July 2, 1997.
Submit payment of the appropriate fees of $42.00.
3. Where can I get an application from?
You may download the application for Optometrist license and the
application for TPA Certification forms and instructions from the Board’s
website at: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/optometry/
To request an application be mailed to you, please call the
Licensing Branch at (808) 586-3000 and provide the following:
Name
Mailing address
Specify the type of application
4. How long does it take to process an application?
It takes approximately 15 to 20 business days to process an application for
completeness ensuring that all fields are completed and all requirements
(i.e. fees, verifications, certification, etc.) are met. Provided that you have
submitted a completed application and there are no deficiencies, a license
may then be issued. (See Disciplinary Action below).
5. How do I follow up on the status of my application?
To check on the status of your application, please call the Licensing Branch
at (808) 586-3000, between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Hawaiian Standard
Time.
6. After licensure, how often will I have to renew?
You will need to renew by December 31 of every odd-numbered year. A
notice of renewal will be sent to you approximately two months prior to
the renewal.
7. Are there continuing education (“CE”) requirements for licensure renewal?
Yes. Each licensee shall submit the required CE hours upon renewal. For
details on the Optometrist CE requirements, please visit the Board’s website
at http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/optometry/ and click on “Optometry
Important Announcements”.
8. Where can I find the licensing law and administrative rules?
Return to the Board’s home page and click on “Statute/Rule
Chapter”.
9. I did not renew my license. How do I restore it?
Licenses that are not renewed by December 31 of every odd-numbered
year become forfeited. A forfeited license may be restored within four
years of the forfeiture. To restore a license, you may call the Licensing
Branch at (808) 586-3000 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Hawaiian
Standard Time, and request to have a restoration application form sent to
you.
10. Disciplinary Action
a) Has any license/certification/registration ever been suspended,
revoked or otherwise subject to disciplinary action?
b) Are there any disciplinary actions pending against you?
c) Have you ever been convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction that has
not been annulled or expunged?
If you answered “YES” to any of the above, you will need to submit:
• A statement signed by you explaining the circumstances; and
• Copies of any documents from the agency, including final orders,
petitions, complaints, findings of fact and conclusions of law, and any
other relevant documents.
If your application indicates a criminal conviction, you must submit the
following:
• A statement signed by you explaining the circumstances leading to the
conviction and detailing all activities since the conviction, including
employment and business involvements. Include job title, period of
employment, employer's name, description of duties, training attended,
and educational courses attended.
• A copy of the court order, verdict, and terms of sentence; and
• A current criminal history record check in your name dated within six
months of the date your application is received from the state where the
conviction occurred and the state where you currently reside if different.
In Hawaii, you may obtain a criminal history record check from the Hawaii
Criminal Justice Data Center. Contact them at (808) 587-3100 or visit their
website at: ecrim.ehawaii.gov to request a "Criminal History Record
Check" form;
• If applicable, a copy of the terms of probation and/or parole and a
statement from your probation or parole officer as to your compliance
with the court orders (terms and conditions imposed including any court
documentation).
For general questions (e.g., change of address, name change, duplicate
pocket card, etc.) please visit the Professional and Vocational Licensing
Division’s website at http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/ FAQs (Frequently Asked
Questions).
