Since its inception more than 100 years ago, the California State Board of Optometry (Board) has supported and helped consumers by advocating consumer interests before lawmakers, regulating to protect consumers from unlicensed practitioners and guarding licensees against unfair competition, enforcing laws to protect the consumer, and resolving disputes between business and a customer or a consumer and a licensee.
The Board’s authority to protect the health and safety of California patients receiving optometric care through licensing, education, and regulation of the practice of optometry was expanded on January 1, 2016, when Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 684, transferring the regulation of opticianry from the Medical Board of California to the Board. Overnight, the Board’s regulatory population grew by 50 percent— expanding its regulatory oversight from 8,000 licensees to roughly 12,000 licensees and registrants. Today, the Board regulates the largest population of optometrists and dispensers in the United States with over 17,400 licenses, registrations, and permits.
The Board is also responsible for issuing opticianry certifications for nonresident contact lens sellers and businesses that employ dispensing opticians.
It is in the best interest of California consumers to continue protecting their eye care health and safety by using the services of licensed eye care professionals.
Mission: To protect the health and safety of California consumers through licensing, registration, education, and regulation of Optometry and Opticianry.
Vision: The highest quality optometric and optical care for the people of California
Values:
- Consumer Protection: We make effective and informed decisions in the best interest and for the safety of Californians.
- Integrity: We are committed to honesty, ethical conduct, and responsibility.
- Transparency: We hold ourselves accountable to the people of California. We operate openly so that stakeholders can trust that we are fair and honest.
- Professionalism: We ensure qualified, proficient, and skilled staff provides excellent service to the State of California.
- Excellence: We have a passion for quality and strive for continuous improvement of our programs, services, and processes through employee empowerment and professional development.
Visit the Board of Optometry (Board) website at: https://www.optometry.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter
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