Attention: AHCA Clearinghouse Legacy Applications Downtime

AHCA Clearinghouse Legacy Applications Downtime

The Clearinghouse Results Website will undergo scheduled maintenance as part of the ongoing efforts to update systems. Please make note of the following important information:

Downtime Schedule:

The Clearinghouse Results Website will be down from Friday, November 8th at 5:00 PM to Monday, November 18th at 8:00 AM. During this period, the system will be inaccessible for regular use as AHCA deploys the new system

2013 Legislative Update – Prescription Authority

Posted in Latest News on October 17, 2013.

The 2013 legislative session brought very important changes for the practice of optometry. On April 19, 2013, Governor Rick Scott signed HB-239 into law, which significantly increased the scope of practice of optometry. The law now includes prescription authority for certain certified optometrists.

Any certified optometrist that completes a 20 hour course and passes a subsequent examination on general and ocular pharmaceutical agents and their side effects may prescribe certain oral drugs to treat injuries and diseases of the eye. To register for the course and examination, please visit http://optometristonlinece.com for additional information. Specifically, a certified optometrist who completes the course and passes the examination mentioned above may administer or prescribe the following drugs or their generic equivalents:

  • Tramadol hydrochloride
  • Acetaminophen 300 mg with No. 3 codeine phosphate 30 mg
  • Amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid.
  • Azithromycin
  • Erythromycin
  • Dicloxacillin
  • Doxycycline/Tetracycline
  • Keflex
  • Minocycline
  • Acyclovir
  • Famciclovir
  • Valacyclovir
  • Acetazolamide
  • Methazolamide

However, certified optometrists may not provide a prescription for more than a 72 hour supply of tramadol hydrochloride, acetaminophen 300 mg with no. 3 codeine phosphate 30 mg, acetazolamide, or methazolamide without consulting a licensed medical or osteopathic physician.

Certified optometrists are strictly prohibited from administering or prescribing any controlled substances that are not specifically listed above. Moreover, certified optometrists may not administer or prescribe any controlled substance for the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain as defined in Section 456.44(1)(e), Florida Statutes. Additionally, certified optometrists are prohibited from prescribing, ordering, dispensing, administering, selling, or giving any drug for the purpose of treating a systemic disease. However, the law provides a single exception, which allows certified optometrist to utilize commonly accepted means and methods to immediately address anaphylaxis.

Once the course has been taken and the examination has been passed, a certified optometrist must register with the DEA for the purpose of prescribing the controlled substances listed above. Additionally, certified optometrists have been added to the list of health care practitioners that may access the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) when prescribing controlled substances.



More Latest News

Hurricane Milton Early Prescription Refills Permitted Under State of Emergency
October 16, 2024

On October 5, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Continue reading


A New Licensure Experience for Health Care Practitioners
May 15, 2024

E-licensing demonstrates the commitment of the Department to expedite
licensure and verification processes. Learn more by clicking here! Continue reading