New Jersey State Board of Optometrists

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is an optometrist required to keep patient records?
2. Am I entitled to a copy of my patient record?
3. Can an optometrist charge a fee for the reproduction of patient records?
4. Can an optometrist release my contact lens prescription if I had an eye examination for contact lenses but haven’t completed the fitting process?
5. When does a contact lens prescription expire?
6. When can an optometrist release a patient’s contact lens prescription?
7. When can an optometrist release a patient’s eyeglass prescription?
8. What does the initials "O.D." mean after the name of an optometrist?
9. When do I have to notify the Board of a change of address?
10. Does my license and certification number have to be on my business cards, letterhead, and signs?
11. How many continuing education credits can I obtain from a residency or a fellowship?
12. How many continuing education credits can I obtain from Internet or correspondence courses?
13. Can I get credit for courses that have not been approved?
14. Does the Board grant credit to courses that are approved by the Council of Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) www.optometryCE.org?
15. If I practice at another location other than my main office, am I required to obtain a license for the additional location?

1. How long is an optometrist required to keep patient records?
   New Jersey licensed optometrists must maintain treatment records for a period of not less than seven years from the date of the most recent entry.
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2. Am I entitled to a copy of my patient record?
   Yes. The patient record, or a copy thereof, shall be released upon written request, to the patient, the patient’s authorized representative, or to another optometrist or physician acting on behalf of the patient.
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3. Can an optometrist charge a fee for the reproduction of patient records?
   Yes. An optometrist may charge a fee for the reproduction of records, which shall be no greater than $.50 per page or $100.00 for the entire record, whichever is less. If the record requested is 10 pages, the optometrist may charge up to $10.00 to cover postage and the miscellaneous costs associated with retrieval of the record.
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4. Can an optometrist release my contact lens prescription if I had an eye examination for contact lenses but haven’t completed the fitting process?
   No. A contact lens prescription is not complete unless and until a patient has been fitted for the contact lens being prescribed and the fit has been fully evaluated over at least one follow-up visit and determined to be satisfactory.
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5. When does a contact lens prescription expire?
   A contact lens prescription shall include a date of expiration that cannot exceed two years from the date of the last contact lens evaluation and may be of shorter duration depending on the professional judgment of the optometrist.
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6. When can an optometrist release a patient’s contact lens prescription?
   An optometrist shall, free of charge, release a copy of a patient’s contact lens prescription directly to the patient upon completion of the contact lens fitting. An optometrist shall, free of charge, release a copy of a patient’s contact lens prescription directly to a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or ophthalmic dispenser upon either the oral or written request of a patient.
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7. When can an optometrist release a patient’s eyeglass prescription?
   After the completion of a patient’s comprehensive eye examination, and upon the patient’s request, a copy of the patient’s prescription for eyeglasses shall be given, free of charge, to the patient or to another optometrist, ophthalmologist, or ophthalmic dispenser acting on the patient’s behalf.
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8. What does the initials "O.D." mean after the name of an optometrist?
   The initials "O.D." stands for Doctor of Optometry which is the degree obtained by an optometrist upon graduation from a College of Optometry.
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9. When do I have to notify the Board of a change of address?
   New Jersey licensed optometrists shall notify the Board in writing of any change of address or location of his or her office or offices at least 5 days prior to occupying said new office.
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10. Does my license and certification number have to be on my business cards, letterhead, and signs?
    Yes. An optometrist shall include his or her license and certification number in all advertisements.
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11. How many continuing education credits can I obtain from a residency or a fellowship?
    Twenty-five credits, of which 12.5 shall be T.P.A. credits, upon completing each residency or fellowship.
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12. How many continuing education credits can I obtain from Internet or correspondence courses?
    A maximum of 20 of the mandatory 50 continuing professional optometric education credits, including a maximum of 10 of the mandatory 25 T.P.A. credits required, from any or all of the following:
    
    1. Videotape, audiotape, computer media, Internet, journal, or correspondence courses or programs. The course or program shall include an examination at the end of the course or program.
    2. Structured grand rounds, which is a presentation, with a formal outline of the course or program material, of clinical cases involving actual patient encounters and the lecture and discussion of the diagnosis and treatment of the particular patient condition.
    3. Hands-on demonstrations of instrumentation when accompanied by didactic lectures.
    4. Interactive workshops which include demonstrations and applications of hands-on techniques and skills in optometric procedures and instrumentations accompanied by didactic lectures.
    5. Preparation and presentation of a continuing professional optometric education lecture.
    6. Preparation of an educational or scientific article authored and published in a professional refereed journal.
    
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13. Can I get credit for courses that have not been approved?
    The Board may grant a licensee, upon audit, continuing professional optometric education credit for courses or programs which have not been pre-approved if the Board determines that the course or program has significant educational or practical content which deal with matters related to the practice of optometry or with the professional responsibilities or ethical obligations of the licensees.
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14. Does the Board grant credit to courses that are approved by the Council of Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) www.optometryCE.org. ?
    Yes.
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15. If I practice at another location other than my main office, am I required to obtain a license for the additional location?
    Yes. A branch office application must be completed and submitted to the Board office with the appropriate fees. The fee for a branch office license is $250.00 for each office during the first year of the biennial renewal period (May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006). If an optometrist is certified in Therapeutics, there is an additional charge of $25.00 equaling $275.00. The fee for a branch office license is $125.00 for each office during the second year of the biennial renewal period (May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2007). If an optometrist is certified in Therapeutics, there is an additional charge of $25 equaling $150.00.
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