(a) To be certified to administer and prescribe ophthalmic devices, over-the-counter medications, and topical ocular pharmaceutical agents, other than antiglaucoma agents, for the purpose of diagnosing and treating visual defects, abnormal conditions and diseases of the human eye and adnexa, and to be able to remove superficial foreign matter and eyelashes from the external eye or adnexa, a licensed optometrist must submit a completed application on forms provided by the Texas Optometry Board (Board). After September 1, 1992, all applicants for initial licensure in Texas must be licensed as a therapeutic optometrist in order to practice optometry in Texas.
(b) A licensed optometrist who is not certified as a therapeutic optometrist may only use topical ocular pharmaceutical agents for the purpose of ascertaining and measuring the powers of vision of the human eye, examining and diagnosing visual defects, abnormal conditions, and diseases of the human eye and adnexa, and fitting lenses or prisms to correct or remedy any defect or abnormal condition of vision.
(c) An application for certification must be completed by the applicant, signed, and forwarded to the Board along with an application fee. Proof of the required education as set forth in §280.2 of this title (relating to Required Education) must accompany the application form.
(d) Successful examination results of the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) Examination must be submitted prior to the issuance of the certificate to practice as a therapeutic optometrist.
(e) Designation of authority as a certified therapeutic optometrist will appear along with the optometrist's license number in the format of the license numbers followed by the letter "T." Such designation must appear whenever the license number is required under Board statutes or Board rules.
(f) In the event the original certification is lost or destroyed, the Board may issue a duplicate certificate; the person entitled thereto must make written application to the Board for a duplicate, under affidavit setting forth that such certificate was lost or destroyed, and the circumstances under which loss or destruction occurred. Should the original subsequently be found, it must be forwarded immediately to the Board and not used by the person to whom issued originally or by any other person. A fee must be submitted to the Board along with the affidavit for the duplicate issue.
(g) Successful completion of a Board approved examination testing knowledge of general and ocular pharmacology and related pathology with particular emphasis on the topical application of pharmaceutical agents shall be required, as defined in §280.3 of this title (relating to Certified Therapeutic Optometrist Examination).

Source Note: The provisions of this §280.1 adopted to be effective September 2, 1991, 16 TexReg 4454; amended to be effective September 10, 1993, 18 TexReg 5746; amended to be effective August 2, 1998, 23 TexReg 7565; amended to be effective December 12, 1999, 24 TexReg 11103; amended to be effective May 22, 2023, 48 TexReg 2573