The New Jersey State Board of Optometrists was created to oversee the State’s licensed optometrists. The practice of optometry includes:
- examining the eye for disease, such as glaucoma and cataracts;
- checking the visual status of the patient and prescribing correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses when necessary and;
- utilizing ocular pharmaceutical agents for treatment purposes.
The purpose of the Board is to:
- protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of New Jersey;
- to regulate licensed optometrists and the practice of optometry in New Jersey; and
- to take action against the unprofessional, improper, unauthorized or unqualified practice of optometry and guard against unprofessional conduct by licensed optometrists.
The Board protects the public by:
- making sure all optometrists who want to practice in New Jersey meet the requirements set by statute;
- investigating and prosecuting optometrists who break the State’s consumer protection laws; and
- requiring all optometrists to be licensed and to renew their licenses every two years.