45:12-9.13 Credentialing requirements for optometrist to use, prescribe pharmaceutical agents.

10. No licensee shall be certified by the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists to use or prescribe pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry before having completed credentialing requirements in ocular pharmacology approved and administered by the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists. Until such time as a majority of the optometrist members of the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists are certified to use and prescribe pharmaceutical agents for treatment purposes in the practice of optometry, an interim four-member panel of experts in ocular pharmacology shall be established to prepare or endorse credentialing requirements for board approval. The interim advisory panel of experts in ocular pharmacology shall be comprised of a physician selected by the State Board of Medical Examiners, a member selected by the Board of Pharmacy, a representative of a school of optometry duly accredited by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, to be selected by the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, and the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services or his designee. The interim panel shall be selected by the respective boards within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory and supplementary act. Panel members shall be directly responsible to the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, who may order the replacement of any panel member for failure to promptly and equitably fulfill their duties. The panel shall have 120 days following appointment of a majority of the panel to submit to the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists credentialing requirements in ocular pharmacology. Should the panel fail within the 120 day period to submit credentialing requirements to the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs shall designate, within 90 days thereafter, the credentialing requirements for the interim period. Should the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs fail to designate credentialing requirements within the 90-day period, the credentialing requirements shall be designated by the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists.

L.2004,c.115,s.10.