Questions about COVID-19?
Visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH for answers.

 
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

IMPORTANT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Illegal Sales of Cosmetic Contact Lenses

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Cosmetic Contact Release

 

Informational Publications

Vision Professionals Board
Eyecare Professional

 

Contacting the Board Staff

In support of Governor DeWine’s initiative to minimize the spread of COVID-19, our office staff has been working remotely since March 16th. Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We strongly encourage you to email us at Board@Vision.Ohio.gov  for quicker responses.  Thank you very much for your patience during these unprecedented difficult times for everyone.  It is a privilege to serve you and we look forward in working through these processes together. 

 

LIVE Interactive Distance Online CE Course Format will be Accepted as a  LIVE In-Person CE Through 12/31/2020

A special board meeting was held on October 6, 2020.  The following motion passed unanimously by the members of the board.

As a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and CDC guidelines, the Board recognizes optometrists still have limited options to attend in person or onsite courses.  The Board further recognizes that, as stated in Ohio Administrative rule, 4725-9-02, the Board accepts accreditation council approved courses or Board approved courses.  Therefore, I move that in recognition of the ongoing pandemic, a LIVE interactive distance online continuing education course format will be considered a LIVE in-person course for all approved courses to fulfill the annual continuing education requirements from October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. These completed courses during the three month time frame will be considered a fulfillment of the education requirements for the educational year of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

About the Board

The Ohio Vision Professionals Board came into existence on January 21, 2018.  House Bill 49 of the 132nd General Assembly consolidated the State Board of Optometry and the Optical Dispensers Board into the Vision Professionals Board.  The Board oversees activities related to licensing of nearly 6,500 optometrists, opticians, and ocularists.  The Board is comprised of seven members appointed by the Governor:  four optometrists, two opticians, and one public member. 

The mission of the Vision Professionals Board is to protect and serve the public of Ohio by effectively and efficiently regulating the practices of Optometry, Opticianry, and Ocularistry in Ohio.  We strive to be a national leader for the establishment  of professional practice standards and licensure of Optometrists, Opticians, and Ocularists.