CODE OF VIRGINIA

PROHIBITED ACTS (§ 54.1-3204)

It shall be unlawful for any person:

   1.  To practice optometry in this Commonwealth without holding a license
   issued by the Board. Practicing or offering to practice optometry, or the
   public representation of being qualified to practice the same by any person
   not authorized to practice optometry, shall be sufficient evidence of a
   violation of the law.

   2.  To impersonate a licensed optometrist of like or different name.

   3.  To buy or sell or fraudulently obtain a diploma or license.

   4.  To do any act for which if he were an optometrist his license could be
   revoked as provided by this chapter.

   5.  To possess any trial lenses, trial frames, graduated test cards,
   appliances or instruments used in the practice of optometry, self-testing
   devices or eyeglass vending machines for the purpose of fitting or prescribing
   glasses in the practice of optometry, unless he is or unless he regularly
   employs on the premises a licensed optometrist or a licensed physician.

   6.  To publish or cause to be published in any manner an advertisement that is
   false, deceptive or misleading, contains a claim of professional superiority
   or violates regulations of the Board governing advertising by optometrists.

   7.  To sell, provide, furnish, supply or duplicate eyeglasses, or lenses for
   the correction of vision without the prescription of a licensed physician or
   licensed optometrist, unless he is the holder of a license to practice
   optometry or a license to practice medicine under the laws of this
   Commonwealth.

   8.  To sell or dispense contact lenses, including plano or cosmetic lenses,
   without holding a license issued by the Board. This subdivision shall not
   apply to a licensed optician operating or working in a retail establishment,
   when selling or dispensing contact lenses, including plano or cosmetic lenses,
   upon the valid written prescription of an individual licensed to practice
   medicine or osteopathy, or a licensed optometrist.

   9.  To dispense, administer, or sell an ophthalmic device containing Schedule
   III, IV, or VI controlled substances or an over-the-counter medication without
   holding a license issued by the Board, including TPA certification. An
   “ophthalmic device” shall mean any device, as defined in the Drug
   Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) customarily used primarily for ophthalmic
   purposes, including an ophthalmic device classified by the United States Food
   and Drug Administration as a drug. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a
   pharmacist from dispensing an ophthalmic device, as defined in this
   subsection, upon the written and valid prescription of an optometrist,
   providing the patient is then advised by the pharmacist to return for
   follow-up care to the optometrist prescribing the ophthalmic device.

The provisions of this section shall be enforced in accordance with this chapter
and § 54.1-2506.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 54-396; 1976, c. 758; 1977, c. 161; 1979, c. 39; 1988, c.
765; 2009, cc. 353, 761.