Want to move to another state, but dont want to go through licensure all over again?
The Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) has announced the official launch of the Council on Endorsed Licensure Mobility (CELMO). The goal of CELMO is to make licensure mobility a reality for the profession of optometry, says ARBO board liaison Steven Eyler, O.D., of Charlotte, N.C.
Its not a national O.D. license, though. Its a credential. The CELMO certificate represents the highest standard of COPE-approved continuing education, Dr. Eyler says. Four state boardsArizona, West Virginia, Kansas and Tennesseenow accept the credential in consideration for licensure by endorsement, and others are eyeing it up.
To obtain the CELMO credential, you must:
Have an O.D. degree from an accredited institution and therapeutic authority in your current state.
Be in active practice for three of the last four years.
Have obtained 50 hours of COPE-approved continuing education (some of which will be CEE, or continuing education with an exam) in the past two years.
Be in good standing with every state board from which you hold a license and report all disciplinary actions taken by any state board or other entity.
Pay all applicable CELMO fees ($50 application fee and $200 certification fee).
Once an applicant meets these requirements and the credential is awarded, then the O.D. would contact the state board of his or her choosing and present the CELMO certificate, says CELMO Chair Beverly Miller, O.D., of Brookeville, Md. It is our intent that the O.D. would only have to take that states law exam and pay the states fee for an optometry license at that point.
The CELMO program has more than a dozen applicants right now, Dr. Miller says, and expects at least 50 by the annual ARBO meeting in June.
ARBO realizes true licensure mobility is going to take some time, Dr. Eyler says. But with all the uniformity and commonality that currently exists among states, the time is now to begin the process.
ARBO plans to have an online application next year. Meanwhile, interested O.D.s can call Denise Portwood at ARBO, (314) 785-6000.
