CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 1 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to optometry; amending s. 463.002, 2
F.S.; providing and revising definitions; amending s. 3
463.003, F.S.; revising membership requirements for 4
the Board of Optometry; providing construction; 5
amending s. 463.005, F.S.; revising and providing 6
rules to be implemented by the board; amending s. 7
463.0055, F.S.; revising requirements for the 8
administration and prescription of ocular 9
pharmaceutical agents; revising provisions relating to 10
the topical and oral ocular pharmaceutical agent 11
formularies established by the board; creating s. 12
463.0056, F.S.; authorizing an optometrist certified 13
in ophthalmic procedures to perform certain 14
procedures; providing certification requirements; 15
excluding specified procedures; amending s. 463.006, 16
F.S.; requiring a cer tified optometrist desiring to be 17
licensed as a certified optometrist to submit to a 18
background screening and successfully complete and 19
pass a specified course and examination; requiring the 20
board to determine the required content, grading 21
criteria, and passing score for such examination; 22
revising the timeline in which an applicant may 23
successfully pass the licensure examination; amending 24
s. 463.007, F.S.; revising conditions of licensure to 25
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 2 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
include the successful completion and passage of a 26
specified course and examination; amending s. 27
463.0135, F.S.; providing authorized procedures a 28
certified optometrist may perform in the standards of 29
practice; defining the term "superficial foreign 30
bodies"; requiring a licensed practitioner to display 31
specified signs at his or her practice under certain 32
circumstances; amending s. 463.014, F.S.; providing 33
penalties; removing a provision prohibiting surgery of 34
any kind; creating s. 463.0185, F.S.; authorizing 35
specified titles and abbreviations for certified 36
optometrists; creating s. 463.0187, F.S.; providing 37
requirements for the demonstration of financial 38
responsibility as a condition of licensure; providing 39
applicability; amending ss. 463.009 and 641.31, F.S.; 40
conforming cross-references; providing an effective 41
date. 42
43
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 44
45
Section 1. Section 463.002, Florida Statutes, is amended 46
to read: 47
463.002 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 48
(1)(10) "Appendages" means the eyelids, the eyebrows, the 49
conjunctiva, and the lacrimal apparatus. 50
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 3 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2)(1) "Board" means the Board of Optometry. 51
(3)(4) "Certified optometrist" or "certified optometric 52
physician" means a licensed practitioner authorized by the board 53
to administer and prescribe ocular pharmaceutical agen ts. 54
(4)(12) "Clock hours" means the actual time engaged in 55
approved coursework and clinical training. 56
(5)(2) "Department" means the Department of Health. 57
(6)(8) "Direct supervision" means supervision to an extent 58
that the licensee remains on the pre mises while all procedures 59
are being done and gives final approval to any procedures 60
performed by an employee. 61
(7)(9) "General supervision" means the responsible 62
supervision of supportive personnel by a licensee who need not 63
be present when such procedur es are performed, but who assumes 64
legal liability therefor. Except in cases of emergency, "general 65
supervision" shall require the easy availability or physical 66
presence of the licensee for consultation with and direction of 67
the supportive personnel. 68
(8)(3)(a) "Licensed practitioner" means a person who is a 69
primary health care provider licensed to engage in the practice 70
of optometry under the authority of this chapter. For persons 71
licensed under this chapter after July 1, 1993, the term 72
includes only certified optometrists. 73
(b) A licensed practitioner who is not a certified 74
optometrist shall be required to display at her or his place of 75
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 4 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
practice a sign which states, "I am a Licensed Practitioner, not 76
a Certified Optometrist, and I am not able to prescribe ocular 77
pharmaceutical agents." 78
(c) All practitioners initially licensed after July 1, 79
1993, must be certified optometrists. 80
(9)(5) "Ocular pharmaceutical agent" means a 81
pharmaceutical agent that is administered or prescribed 82
topically or orally for the diagnosis or treatment of ocular 83
conditions of the human eye and its appendages without the use 84
of surgery or other invasive techniques . 85
(10) "Optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures" 86
means a certified optometrist who may perform board -approved 87
laser and non-laser ophthalmic procedures and therapies under s. 88
463.0056. 89
(11)(7) "Optometry" means the diagnosis , evaluation, 90
treatment, and management of conditions of the human eye and its 91
appendages, including any visual, muscular, neurologic al, or 92
anatomical anomalies and chronic systemic conditions relating to 93
the eye and its appendages; the determination of the refractive 94
powers of the human eyes ; and the prescribing and employment of 95
any objective or subjective means or methods, including the 96
administration of ocular pharmaceutical agents, contact lenses, 97
spectacle lenses, magnification lenses, orthoptic exercises, 98
vison therapy, low vision rehabilitation devices, 99
electromagnetic waves, pulsating light and light frequencies, 100
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 5 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
ophthalmic procedures and therapies, and neuro -optometric 101
rehabilitative therapy for the diagnosis, evaluation, 102
correction, remedy, treatment, management, or relief of any 103
insufficiency, anomaly, abnormality, or disease condition 104
relating to the human eye or its appendag es. For purposes of 105
this subsection, the term "refractive" means the use of lenses 106
and ocular pharmaceutical agents during the course of a 107
comprehensive medical eye examination to determine a patient's 108
visual, neurological, and physical requirements to att ain 109
optimal visual and perceptual performance. for the purpose of 110
determining the refractive powers of the human eyes, or any 111
visual, muscular, neurological, or anatomic anomalies of the 112
human eyes and their appendages; and the prescribing and 113
employment of lenses, prisms, frames, mountings, contact lenses, 114
orthoptic exercises, light frequencies, and any other means or 115
methods, including ocular pharmaceutical agents, for the 116
correction, remedy, or relief of any insufficiencies or abnormal 117
conditions of the human eyes and their appendages . 118
(12) "Refraction" means the use of lenses and ocular 119
pharmaceutical agents during the course of a comprehensive 120
medical eye examination to determine a patient's visual, 121
neurological, and physical requirements to attain op timal visual 122
and perceptual performance. 123
(13)(6) "Surgery" means a procedure using an instrument , 124
including a laser, scalpel, or needle, in which human tissue is 125
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 6 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
cut, burned, scraped , except as provided in s. 463.0135(12) s. 126
463.014(4), or vaporized, by incision, injection, ultrasound, 127
laser, infusion, cryotherapy, or radiation . The term includes a 128
procedure using an instrument which requires the closure of 129
human tissue by suture, clamp, or other such device. The term 130
does not include an ophthalmic proced ure that does not burn, 131
cut, or incise the globe or require the closure of human tissue. 132
(14)(11) "Transcript-quality" means a live and in-person 133
course which is in conjunction with or sponsored by a school or 134
college of optometry or equivalent education al entity, which 135
course is approved by the board and requires a test and passing 136
grade. 137
Section 2. Subsections (2) and (4) of section 463.003, 138
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 139
463.003 Board of Optometry. — 140
(2) Five members of the board must be certified 141
optometrists or optometrists certified in ophthalmic procedures 142
licensed practitioners actively practicing in this state. The 143
remaining two members must be citizens of the state who are not, 144
and have never been, licensed practitioners and who ar e in no 145
way connected with the practice of optometry or with any vision -146
oriented profession or business. At least one member of the 147
board must be 60 years of age or older. 148
(4) All applicable provisions of chapter 456 relating to 149
activities of regulatory boards that do not conflict with this 150
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 7 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
chapter shall apply. 151
Section 3. Subsection (1) of section 463.005, Florida 152
Statutes, is amended to read: 153
463.005 Authority of the board. — 154
(1) The Board of Optometry shall has authority to adopt 155
rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the 156
provisions of this chapter conferring duties upon it. Such rules 157
must shall include, but not be limited to, rules relating to all 158
of the following: 159
(a) Standards of practice, including, but not limited to, 160
those provided for in s. 463.0135. 161
(b) Minimum equipment that a certified optometrist, an 162
optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures, or which a 163
licensed practitioner must shall at all times possess to 164
lawfully engage in the practice of optometry. 165
(c) Minimum procedures that which shall constitute a 166
visual examination. 167
(d) Procedures for the safekeeping and transfer of 168
prescription files or case records upon the discontinuance of 169
practice. 170
(e) Supervision of supportive personnel. 171
(f) Courses and procedures for continuing education. 172
(g) Practices and procedures related to the administration 173
and prescription of ocular pharmaceutical agents. 174
(h) Laser and non-laser ophthalmic procedures and 175
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 8 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
therapies an optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedu res may 176
perform, including, but not limited to, the standards of 177
practice for such ophthalmic procedures and therapies. 178
(i) The scope of practice of optometry, including 179
ophthalmic procedures, as described in this chapter. 180
(j) Required content, grading criteria, and passing scores 181
for licensure examinations under s. 463.006. 182
(k) The accredited schools or colleges of optometry that 183
are approved by the board for the purpose of licensure under s. 184
463.006. 185
(l) Terms and titles permitted for use in adver tisements 186
by persons licensed under this section and providers registered 187
under s. 456.47(4). 188
(m) Standards for the use of telehealth by providers 189
licensed under this section and providers registered under s. 190
456.47(4). 191
(n) Requirements to obtain and m aintain an out-of-state 192
telehealth provider registration as provided under s. 456.47(4), 193
including, but not limited to, application requirements, 194
continuing education requirements, scope of practice, standards 195
of practice, and renewal process for registrat ion. 196
Notwithstanding s. 456.47(4), the board may not approve any 197
applicant for out-of-state telehealth registration who does not 198
hold a license issued by another state, the District of 199
Columbia, or a territory of the United States that is 200
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 9 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
substantially similar to a license held by a certified 201
optometrist under this chapter. Notwithstanding s. 456.47(4), an 202
out-of-state telehealth provider registration as provided under 203
s. 456.47(4) is not valid for more than 2 years. 204
Section 4. Section 463.0055, Florida Statutes, is amended 205
to read: 206
463.0055 Administration and prescription of ocular 207
pharmaceutical agents. — 208
(1)(a) Certified optometrists may administer and prescribe 209
ocular pharmaceutical agents as provided in this section for the 210
diagnosis and treatment of ocular conditions of the human eye 211
and its appendages without the use of surgery or other invasive 212
techniques. However, a licensed practitioner who is not 213
certified may use topically applied anesthetics solely for the 214
purpose of glaucoma examinations, but is otherwise prohibited 215
from administering or prescribing ocular pharmaceutical agents. 216
(b) Before a certified optometrist may administer or 217
prescribe oral ocular pharmaceutical agents, the certified 218
optometrist must provide proof to the department of successful 219
completion of a course and subsequent examination, approved by 220
the board, on general and ocular pharmaceutical agents and the 221
side effects of those agents. The course shall consist of 20 222
contact hours, all of which may be web -based. The first course 223
and examination shall be presented by October 1, 2013, and shall 224
be administered at least annually thereafter. The course and 225
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 10 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
examination shall be developed and offered jointly by a 226
statewide professional association of physicians in this state 227
accredited to provide educational activities designated for the 228
American Medical Association Physician's Recogni tion Award (AMA 229
PRA) Category 1 credit and a statewide professional association 230
of licensed practitioners which provides board -approved 231
continuing education on an annual basis. The board shall review 232
and approve the content of the initial course and examin ation if 233
the board determines that the course and examination adequately 234
and reliably satisfy the criteria set forth in this section. The 235
board shall thereafter annually review and approve the course 236
and examination if the board determines that the content 237
continues to adequately and reliably satisfy the criteria set 238
forth in this section. Successful completion of the board -239
approved course and examination may be used by a certified 240
optometrist to satisfy 20 hours of the continuing education 241
requirements in s. 463.007(3), only for the biennial period in 242
which the board-approved course and examination are taken. If a 243
certified optometrist does not complete a board -approved course 244
and examination under this section, the certified optometrist is 245
only authorized to administer and prescribe topical ocular 246
pharmaceutical agents. Beginning July 1, 2025, any person who 247
submits an application for licensure under this chapter must 248
successfully complete the course and examination as a 249
requirement for licensure. 250
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 11 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2)(a) The board shall establish a negative formulary of 251
topical ocular pharmaceutical agents that may not be prescribed 252
or and administered by a certified optometrist. The formulary 253
shall consist of those topical ocular pharmaceutical agents that 254
are appropriate to treat or diagnose ocular diseases and 255
disorders and that the certified optometrist is qualified to use 256
in the practice of optometry. The board shall establish, add to, 257
delete from, or modify the topical formulary by rule. 258
Notwithstanding any pr ovision of chapter 120 to the contrary, 259
the topical formulary rule becomes effective 60 days from the 260
date it is filed with the Secretary of State. 261
(b) The formulary may be added to, deleted from, or 262
modified according to the procedure described in parag raph (a). 263
Any person who requests an addition, deletion, or modification 264
of an authorized topical ocular pharmaceutical agent shall have 265
the burden of proof to show cause why such addition, deletion, 266
or modification should be made. 267
(c) The State Surgeon General shall have standing to 268
challenge any rule or proposed rule of the board pursuant to s. 269
120.56. In addition to challenges for any invalid exercise of 270
delegated legislative authority, the administrative law judge, 271
upon such a challenge by the State Surgeon General, may declare 272
all or part of a rule or proposed rule invalid if it: 273
1. Does not protect the public from any significant and 274
discernible harm or damages; 275
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 12 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2. Unreasonably restricts competition or the availability 276
of professional services i n the state or in a significant part 277
of the state; or 278
3. Unnecessarily increases the cost of professional 279
services without a corresponding or equivalent public benefit. 280
281
However, there shall not be created a presumption of the 282
existence of any of the con ditions cited in this subsection in 283
the event that the rule or proposed rule is challenged. 284
(b)(d) Upon adoption of the negative formulary required by 285
this section, and upon each addition, deletion, or modification 286
to the formulary, the board shall mail a copy of the amended 287
formulary to each certified optometrist and to each pharmacy 288
licensed by the state. 289
(3) In addition to the formulary of topical ocular 290
pharmaceutical agents established by rule of the board, there is 291
created a statutory formulary of oral ocular pharmaceutical 292
agents, which includes the following agents: 293
(a) The following analgesics or their generic or 294
therapeutic equivalents, which may not be administered or 295
prescribed for more than 72 hours without consultation with a 296
physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 who is 297
skilled in diseases of the eye: 298
1. Tramadol hydrochloride. 299
2. Acetaminophen 300 mg with No. 3 codeine phosphate 30 300
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 13 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
mg. 301
(b) The following antibiotics or their generic or 302
therapeutic equivalents: 303
1. Amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid. 304
2. Azithromycin. 305
3. Erythromycin. 306
4. Dicloxacillin. 307
5. Doxycycline/Tetracycline. 308
6. Keflex. 309
7. Minocycline. 310
(c) The following antivirals or their generic or 311
therapeutic equivalents: 312
1. Acyclovir. 313
2. Famciclovir. 314
3. Valacyclovir. 315
(d) The following oral anti -glaucoma agents or their 316
generic or therapeutic equivalents, which may not be 317
administered or prescribed for more than 72 hours: 318
1. Acetazolamide. 319
2. Methazolamide. 320
321
Any oral ocular pharmaceutical agent that is listed in the 322
statutory formulary set forth in this subsection and that is 323
subsequently determined by the United States Food and Drug 324
Administration to be unsafe for administration or prescription 325
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 14 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
shall be considered to have been deleted from the formulary of 326
oral ocular pharmaceutical agents. The oral ocular 327
pharmaceutical agents on the statutory formulary set forth in 328
this subsection may not otherwise be deleted by the board, the 329
department, or the State Surgeo n General. 330
(3)(4) A certified optometrist shall be issued a 331
prescriber number by the board. Any prescription written by a 332
certified optometrist for an ocular pharmaceutical agent 333
pursuant to this section shall have the prescriber number 334
printed thereon. A certified optometrist may not administer or 335
prescribe any of the following : 336
(a) A controlled substance listed in Schedule II, Schedule 337
III, Schedule IV, or Schedule V of s. 893.03, except for an oral 338
analgesic placed on the formulary pursuant to this s ection for 339
the relief of pain due to ocular conditions of the eye and its 340
appendages; or. 341
(b) A controlled substance for the treatment of chronic 342
nonmalignant pain as defined in s. 456.44(1)(f). 343
Section 5. Section 463.0056, Florida Statutes, is creat ed 344
to read: 345
463.0056 Ophthalmic procedures and therapies. — 346
(1)(a) An optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures 347
may perform laser and non -laser ophthalmic procedures and 348
therapies as authorized by the board but may not perform an 349
ophthalmic procedure or therapy that requires preoperative 350
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 15 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
medications or drug-induced alteration of consciousness. 351
However, an optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures may 352
use medication for minimal tranquilization of the patient and 353
local or topical anesthesia if the chances of complications 354
requiring hospitalization of the pa tient as a result are remote. 355
(b) To be certified to perform ophthalmic procedures, a 356
certified optometrist must first provide proof to the department 357
of successful completion of a course and subsequent examination, 358
approved by the board, on laser and no n-laser ophthalmic 359
procedures and therapy. The course and examination shall be 360
developed and offered jointly by a statewide professional 361
association of physicians in this state accredited to provide 362
educational activities designated for the American Medica l 363
Association Physician's Recognition Award Category 1 credit and 364
a statewide professional association of licensed practitioners 365
which provides board -approved continuing education on an annual 366
basis. The board shall review and approve the content of the 367
initial course and examination if the board determines that the 368
course and examination adequately and reliably satisfy the 369
criteria provided in this section. The board shall thereafter 370
annually review and approve the examination if the board 371
determines that the content continues to adequately and reliably 372
satisfy the criteria provided in this section. Successful 373
completion of the board -approved course and examination may be 374
used by a certified optometrist to satisfy the continuing 375
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 16 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
education requirements in s. 463.007(3) only for the biennial 376
period in which the board -approved course and examination are 377
taken. If a certified optometrist does not complete a board -378
approved course and examination under this section, the 379
certified optometrist may not perform ophtha lmic procedures 380
described in paragraph (a). 381
(2) The following ophthalmic procedures are excluded from 382
the scope of practice of optometry, except for the preoperative 383
and postoperative care of these procedures: 384
(a) Laser vision correction, penetrating k eratoplasty, and 385
corneal or lamellar keratoplasty. 386
(b) Laser of the vitreous chamber or retina of the eye to 387
treat any vitreomacular or retinal disease. 388
(c) Surgery of the eyelid for suspected eyelid 389
malignancies or for incisional cosmetic or mechanica l repair of 390
blepharochalasis, ptosis, or tarsorrhaphy. 391
(d) Surgery of the boney orbit, including, but not limited 392
to, orbital implants or removal of the human eye. 393
(e) Incisional or excisional surgery of the lacrimal 394
system other than lacrimal probing or related procedures. 395
(f) Surgery requiring full thickness incision or excision 396
of the cornea or sclera other than paracentesis in an emergency 397
situation requiring immediate reduction of elevated pressure 398
inside the eye. 399
(g) Surgery requiring incision or excision by scalpel of 400
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 17 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the iris and ciliary body, including, but not limited to, iris 401
diathermy or cryotherapy. 402
(h) Surgery requiring incision or excision of the vitreous 403
or retina. 404
(i) Surgery requiring incision or excision of the 405
crystalline lens or an intraocular prosthetic implant. 406
(j) Surgery involving incision or excision of the 407
extraocular muscles. 408
(k) Surgery requiring full thickness conjunctivoplasty 409
with graft or flap. 410
(l) Pterygium surgery. 411
(m) Any other procedure or therapy as de termined by the 412
board. 413
Section 6. Section 463.006, Florida Statutes, is amended 414
to read: 415
463.006 Licensure and certification by examination. — 416
(1) Any person desiring to be a certified optometrist 417
under licensed practitioner pursuant to this chapter must apply 418
to the department, submit to background screening in accordance 419
with s. 456.0135, and must submit proof to the department that 420
she or he meets all of the following criteria : 421
(a) Has completed the application forms as required by the 422
board, remitted an application fee for certification not to 423
exceed $250, remitted an examination fee for certification not 424
to exceed $250, and remitted an examination fee for licensure 425
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 18 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
not to exceed $325, all as set by the board. 426
(b) Is at least 18 years of age. 427
(c) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of 428
optometry approved by rule of the board. 429
(d) Is of good moral character. 430
(e) Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of 431
transcript-quality coursework and clinical training in general 432
and ocular pharmacology as determined by the board, at an 433
institution that: 434
1. Has facilities for both didactic and clinical 435
instructions in pharmacology; and 436
2. Is accredited by a regional or professional accrediting 437
organization that is recognized and a pproved by the Commission 438
on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United 439
States Department of Education. 440
(f) Has completed at least 1 year of supervised experience 441
in differential diagnosis of eye disease or disorders as part of 442
the optometric training or in a clinical setting as part of the 443
optometric experience. 444
(g) Has successfully completed and passed a course and 445
examination as provided in s. 463.0055(1)(b). 446
(2) The board shall approve a licensure examination 447
consisting of the appropr iate subjects and including applicable 448
state laws and rules and general and ocular pharmacology with 449
emphasis on the use and side effects of ocular pharmaceutical 450
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 19 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
agents. The board may by rule substitute a national examination 451
as part or all of the examina tion and, notwithstanding chapter 452
456, may by rule offer a practical examination in addition to a 453
written examination. The board shall determine the required 454
content, grading criteria, and passing score for the licensure 455
examination. 456
(3) Each applicant w ho submits proof satisfactory to the 457
board that he or she has met the requirements of subsection (1), 458
who successfully passes the licensure examination within 3 years 459
before the date of application or within 3 years after the 460
submission of an application, and who otherwise meets the 461
requirements of this chapter is entitled to be licensed as a 462
certified optometrist practitioner and to be certified to 463
administer and prescribe ocular pharmaceutical agents in the 464
diagnosis and treatment of ocular conditions . 465
(4) All optometrists initially licensed on or after July 466
1, 2025, must be licensed as a certified optometrist. 467
Section 7. Subsection (4) of section 463.007, Florida 468
Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (5) and a new subsection 469
(4) is added to that sec tion, to read: 470
463.007 Renewal of license; continuing education. — 471
(4) As of July 1, 2025, successful completion of the 472
course and passage of the examination specified in s. 473
463.0055(1)(b) is required as a condition of licensure renewal 474
for any certified optometrist who has not already successfully 475
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 20 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
completed the course and passed the examination. 476
Section 8. Subsections (12) and (13) are added to section 477
463.0135, Florida Statutes, to read: 478
463.0135 Standards of practice. — 479
(12) Certified optometri sts may remove superficial foreign 480
bodies. For the purpose of this subsection, the term 481
"superficial foreign bodies" means any foreign matter that is 482
embedded in the conjunctiva or cornea that has not penetrated 483
the globe. Notwithstanding the definition of surgery in s. 484
463.002, a certified optometrist may provide any optometric care 485
within the scope of practice of optometry as defined in s. 486
463.002, including, but not limited to, removing an eyelash, 487
removal of eyelid skin tags, removal of styes, ophthalmi c 488
procedures as defined and approved by the board, probing an 489
uninflamed tear duct in a patient 18 years of age or older, 490
blocking the puncta, or superficial scraping for the purpose of 491
removing damaged epithelial tissue or superficial foreign bodies 492
or taking a culture of the surface of the cornea or conjunctiva. 493
(13) A licensed practitioner who is not a certified 494
optometrist is required to display at her or his place of 495
practice a sign that states, "I am a Licensed Practitioner, not 496
a Certified Optometr ist, and I am not able to prescribe ocular 497
pharmaceutical agents or perform ophthalmic procedures." 498
Section 9. Subsections (1), (4), and (5) of section 499
463.014, Florida Statutes, are amended, to read: 500
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 21 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
463.014 Certain acts prohibited. — 501
(1)(a) A No corporation, lay body, organization, or 502
individual other than a licensed practitioner may not shall 503
engage in the practice of optometry through the means of 504
engaging the services, upon a salary, commission, or other means 505
or inducement, of any person licens ed to practice optometry in 506
this state. Nothing in This section does not shall be deemed to 507
prohibit the association of a licensed practitioner with a 508
multidisciplinary group of licensed health care professionals, 509
the primary objective of which is the diagnosis and treatment of 510
the human body. 511
(b) A No licensed practitioner may not shall engage in the 512
practice of optometry with any corporation, organization, group, 513
or lay individual. This paragraph does provision shall not 514
prohibit licensed practitioners from employing, or from forming 515
partnerships or professional associations with, licensed 516
practitioners licensed in this state or with other licensed 517
health care professionals, the primary objective of whom is the 518
diagnosis and treatment of the human body. 519
(c) A No rule of the board may not shall forbid the 520
practice of optometry in or on the pr emises of a commercial or 521
mercantile establishment. Notwithstanding this paragraph, a 522
commercial or mercantile establishment or other such entity may 523
not have any control over the manner in which a licensee under 524
this chapter practices optometry. Any viola tion of this 525
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 22 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
paragraph will be deemed as unlicensed practice of optometry as 526
specified in s. 463.015(1)(a). Individual owners, officers, or 527
directors of any commercial or mercantile establishment or other 528
such entity in violation of this section will be de emed to have 529
committed the unlicensed practice of optometry. 530
(d) A No licensed practitioner may not practice under 531
practice identification names, trade names, or service names, 532
unless any dissemination of information by the practitioner to 533
consumers contains the name under which the practitioner is 534
licensed or that of the professional association in which the 535
practitioner participates. Any advertisement or other 536
dissemination of information to consumers may contain factual 537
information as to the geographic location of licensed 538
practitioners or of the availability of optometric services. 539
(e) A No licensed practitioner may not shall adopt and 540
publish or cause to be published any practice identification 541
name, trade name, or service name which is, contains, o r is 542
intended to serve as an affirmation of the quality or 543
competitive value of the optometric services provided at the 544
identified practice. 545
(4) Surgery of any kind is expressly prohibited. Certified 546
optometrists may remove superficial foreign bodies. Fo r the 547
purposes of this subsection, the term "superficial foreign 548
bodies" means any foreign matter that is embedded in the 549
conjunctiva or cornea but that has not penetrated the globe. 550
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 23 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Notwithstanding the definition of surgery as provided in s. 551
463.002(6), a certified optometrist is not prohibited from 552
providing any optometric care within the practice of optometry 553
as defined in s. 463.002(7), such as removing an eyelash by 554
epilation, probing an uninflamed tear duct in a patient 18 years 555
of age or older, block ing the puncta by plug, or superficial 556
scraping for the purpose of removing damaged epithelial tissue 557
or superficial foreign bodies or taking a culture of the surface 558
of the cornea or conjunctiva. 559
(4)(5) A No rule of the board may not shall prohibit a 560
licensed practitioner from authorizing a board -certified 561
optician to fill, fit, adapt, or dispense a contact lens 562
prescription as authorized under chapter 484. 563
Section 10. Section 463.009, Florida Statutes, is amended 564
to read: 565
463.009 Supportive person nel.—No person other than a 566
licensed practitioner may engage in the practice of optometry as 567
defined in s. 463.002 s. 463.002(7). Except as provided in this 568
section, under no circumstances shall nonlicensed supportive 569
personnel be delegated diagnosis or tr eatment duties; however, 570
such personnel may perform data gathering, preliminary testing, 571
prescribed visual therapy, and related duties under the direct 572
supervision of the licensed practitioner. Nonlicensed personnel, 573
who need not be employees of the licens ed practitioner, may 574
perform ministerial duties, tasks, and functions assigned to 575
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 24 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
them by and performed under the general supervision of a 576
licensed practitioner, including obtaining information from 577
consumers for the purpose of making appointments for the 578
licensed practitioner. The licensed practitioner shall be 579
responsible for all delegated acts performed by persons under 580
her or his direct and general supervision. 581
Section 11. Section 463.0185, Florida Statutes, is created 582
to read: 583
463.0185 Certified optometrist titles and abbreviations. —584
An optometrist licensed under chapter 463 may use the following 585
titles and abbreviations as applicable to his or her license and 586
certification, including "optometrist," "licensed optometrist," 587
"Doctor of Optometry," "O .D.," "optometric physician," "board 588
certified optometrist," "board certified optometric physician," 589
"American Board of Optometry (ABO) certified," "Fellow of the 590
American Academy of Optometry," "Fellow of the College of 591
Optometrists in Vision Development, " "Residency-trained," 592
"Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry," or other titles 593
or abbreviations authorized under his or her practice act. 594
Section 12. Section 463.0187, Florida Statutes, is created 595
to read: 596
463.0187 Financial responsibility. — 597
(1) As a condition of licensure and maintaining an active 598
license, and before to the issuance or renewal of an active 599
license or reactivation of an inactive license for the practice 600
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 25 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of optometry, an applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction 601
of the board financial responsibility to pay claims and costs 602
ancillary thereto arising out of the rendering of, or the 603
failure to render, optometric care or services, by one of the 604
following methods: 605
(a) Establishing and maintaining an escrow account 606
consisting of cash or assets eligible for deposit in accordance 607
with s. 625.52 in the per claim amounts specified in paragraph 608
(b). The required escrow amount provided in paragraph (b) may 609
not be used for litigation costs or attorney fees for the 610
defense of any malpractice claim; 611
(b) Obtaining and maintaining professional liability 612
coverage in an amount not less than $100,000 per claim, with a 613
minimum annual aggregate of not less than $300,000, from an 614
authorized insurer as defined under s. 624.09, from an eligible 615
surplus lines insurer as defined under s. 626.914(2), from a 616
risk retention group as defined under s. 627.942, or through a 617
plan of self-insurance as provided in s. 627.357. The required 618
coverage amount set forth in this paragraph may not be used for 619
litigation costs or attorney fees for the defense of any 620
malpractice claim; or 621
(c) Obtaining and maintaining an unexpired, irrevocable 622
letter of credit, established pursuant to chapter 675, in an 623
amount not less than $100,000 per claim, with a minimum 624
aggregate availability of credit of not less than $300,000. The 625
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 26 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
letter of credit must be payable to the optometrist as 626
beneficiary upon presentment of a final judgment indicating 627
liability and awarding damages to be paid by the optometrist or 628
upon presentment of a settlement agreement signed by all parties 629
to such agreement when such final judgment or settlement is a 630
result of a claim arising out of the rendering of, or the 631
failure to render, optometric care and services. The letter of 632
credit may not be used for litigation costs or attorney fees for 633
the defense of any malpractice claim. The letter of credit must 634
be nonassignable and nontransferable and such letter of credit 635
must be issued by any bank or savings association organized and 636
existing under the laws of this state or any bank or savings 637
association organized under the laws of the United States which 638
has its principal place of business in this state or has a 639
branch office that is authorized under the laws of this state or 640
of the United States to receive de posits in this state. 641
(2) This section applies to individuals registered as an 642
out-of-state telehealth provider under s. 456.47(4). 643
Section 13. Subsection (19) of section 641.31, Florida 644
Statutes, is amended to read: 645
641.31 Health maintenance contr acts.— 646
(19) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, health 647
maintenance policies or contracts which provide coverage, 648
benefits, or services as described in s. 463.002 s. 463.002(7), 649
shall offer to the subscriber the services of an optometrist 650
CS/CS/HB 449 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb449-02-c2
Page 27 of 27
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
licensed pursuant to chapter 463. 651
Section 14. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 652