Laws and Regulations Governing the Practice of Optometry

The practice of optometry in Maryland is governed by the Board’s law, Title 11 of the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, and the Title 10 Subtitle 28 adopted by the Board under the Code of Maryland Regulations, (COMAR).

A licensed optometrist in Maryland is held responsible for knowing the law and regulations and for ensuring that his practice adheres to the stipulations in the law and regulations. The Board’s regulations COMAR 10.28.03.04B (1) provides authority for the Board to examine candidates on their knowledge of Maryland optometric jurisprudence. The exam is an open book examination with a passing score of 75.

The Board’s law and regulations and other relevant laws can be accessed by visiting the websites listed and following these instructions:

TITLE 11. OPTOMETRISTS

Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions.

11-101. Definitions.

11-102. Scope of title.

Subtitle 2. State Board of Examiners in Optometry.

11-201. Board established.

11-202. Membership.

11-203. Officers.

11-204. Quorum; meetings; compensation; staff.

11-205. Miscellaneous powers and duties.

11-206. Power to require physical or mental examination of licensee.

11-207. State Board of Examiners in Optometry Fund - Establishment of fees; disposition of funds.

11-208. Minimum optometric examination.

11-209. Good faith exemption from civil liability.

Subtitle 3. Licensing.

11-301. License required; exception.

11-302. Qualifications of applicants.

11-303. Applications for licenses.

11-304. Examinations.



		11-305. Waiver of examination requirement.

11-306. Issuance of license.

11-307. Scope of license.

11-307.1. Limited license.

11-308. Term and renewal of licenses.

11-309. Continuing education.

11-310. Inactive status; reinstatement of expired licenses.

11-311. Display of licenses; statement to be given patient.



		11-312. Surrender of license..

11-313. Denials, reprimands, probations, suspensions, and revocations - Grounds.

11-314. Penalty instead of suspension or in addition to suspension or revocation.

11-315. Hearings and investigations.

11-316. Findings and order of Board.

11-317. Order of suspension or revocation.

11-318. Administrative and judicial review.

11-319. Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license.

Subtitle 4. Miscellaneous Provisions.

11-401. Governmental relations with optometrists.

11-402. Duty of referral.

11-403. Titles.

11-404. Administration of drugs, medicine, etc.

11-404.1. Therapeutically certified optometrists - Certification.



		11-404.2. Therapeutically certified optometrists - Referrals; administration of topical therapeutic and oral pharmaceutical agents; restrictions.

11-404.3. Therapeutically certified optometrists - Quality assurance.



		11-404.4. Contact lenses.

11-405. Optometrist rehabilitation committees.

Subtitle 5. Prohibited Acts; Penalties.



		11-501. Practicing without license.

11-502. Misrepresentation as optometrist.

11-503. Restrictions on certain techniques.

11-504. Dispensing lenses without valid and unexpired prescription.

11-505. Penalties.

Subtitle 6. Short Title; Termination of Title.

11-601. Short title.

11-602. Termination of title.

10.28.01 Board Procedures - Repealed
10.28.02 Continuing Education Requirements
10.28.03 Examination and Licensing of Optometrists
10.28.04 Rules of Procedure for Board Hearings
10.28.05 Inactive Status and Reinstatement of Expired Licenses
10.28.06 Examination of Patients by Optometrists, Maintenance of Records, and Keeping of Certain Instrumentation and Equipment
10.28.07 Fee Schedule
10.28.08 Partial Waiver of Examination
10.28.09 Advertising
10.28.10 Optometrist Accountability
10.28.11 Use of Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents
10.28.12 Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents
10.28.13 Civil Penalties
10.28.14 Code of Conduct
10.28.15 Compelling Purpose Disclosure
10.28.16 Selling and Dispensing of Contact Lenses

Return to DHMH Home
DHMH Terms of Use/Privacy Statement

Last Updated 02/03/2010