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Conditional Registration for Optometrists

As of May 31, 2023, Optometrists can apply for a Conditional Registration which allows for renewal of an optometrist’s registration for a one-year period, allowing the optometrist to complete the required CE as well as the additional CE required for the one-year conditional Registration period. The one-year conditional registration allows the optometrist to stay registered to practice and to keep their therapeutic or oral privileges.

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To renew your registration, fill out the online registration renewal. If you have not completed your required CE hours (36 for Therapeutic privileges and an additional 18 for orals) then you would apply for a conditional registration through the online renewal. 

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You can apply online with your registration renewal for a conditional registration. You would answer “no” to the question “Will you complete your continuing education requirement?” and “yes” to the statement that says, “I request a conditional registration”. 

If you already submitted the online renewal and did not request a conditional registration, you may do so by completing the Registration Remittance Addendum Form.

You will need to fill out number 2 on the form and email the form back to the Optometry Board Office at OPTOMBD@NYSED.GOV in order to request a conditional registration.

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If you did not complete the required CE hours and intend to continue practicing, you must apply for a conditional registration using the online renewal for your next registration period. Registration reminders are sent out 5 months ahead of time via email. You can request the conditional when you renew your registration online. 

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A conditional registration extends your registration to practice optometry, while giving you one year to complete your previous CE as well as the additional CE requested for the one-year conditional registration period. 

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The cost for the conditional registration is $242 for the conditional registration year. The conditional registration is good for one year. After that year, you must submit proof of completion of the required CE, then re-register again and pay another registration fee of $242 for the remaining 2 years of the three-year registration period.

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If you do not complete your required CE by the end of the conditional registration period, then you cannot be renewed for the remaining 2 years of the three-year registration period, and YOU CANNOT PRACTICE OPTOMETRY.

You must complete the required CE and submit them for approval before your registration can be renewed for the remaining 2 years. If you practice while not registered, the Board Office will send your name to the Office of Professional Discipline with a referral for practicing while not registered.

Again, if you did not request a conditional registration on your online renewal registration, then please click on the link to access the Registration Renewal Addendum form.
 

Complete and sign the form and email it to OPTOMBD@NYSED.GOV or fax it to 518-473-0567 to request a conditional registration.