<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 10.28.12.02" title_num="10" subtitle_num="28" chapter_num="12" heading="Requirements for Certification.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except for an optometrist who qualifies under §C or D of this regulation, the Board shall certify an optometrist licensed to practice in Maryland as qualified to use TPAs if the licensed optometrist submits to the Board evidence satisfactory to the Board that the optometrist:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of Board-approved TPA education before applying for certification to use TPAs;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Has successfully passed the National Board of Examiners in Optometry's (NBEO) exam, including the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) Examination and clinical exam sections; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Is currently certified by the Board to administer topical ocular DPAs.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Board may consider pharmacology courses that an optometrist successfully completed during a course of study at an accredited school of optometry recognized by the Board when calculating the 110 hours of Board-approved TPA education required under §§A(1) and D(1) of this regulation. If accepted by the Board, then each:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Semester credit hour will equal 15 hours of TPA education; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Quarter credit hour will equal 10 hours of TPA education.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Board shall certify an optometrist who has graduated from an accredited school of optometry within 3 years before applying for certification to use TPAs if the optometrist:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submits proof of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the Board; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Completes the process to become certified to use TPAs within 3 years of the date of graduation from an accredited school of optometry.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If an optometrist who has graduated on or after July 1, 2005, from an accredited school of optometry recognized by the Board, is not certified within 3 years of graduation, the Board shall certify the optometrist to use TPAs if the optometrist:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of Board-approved TPA education before applying for certification to use TPAs;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Has successfully passed the National Board of Examiners in Optometry's (NBEO) exam, including the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) Examination and clinical exam sections; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Submits proof of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The credit hours taken for initial certification in TPAs may be included as part of the hours of continuing education required for biennial license renewal.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>