An Act relative to updating the licensure of optometrists

This bill updates Massachusetts optometrist licensure requirements. It directly affects optometrists licensed before 1984, 1994, or 2021 who haven't completed specific board-approved exams by certain deadlines (2022 for pre-1984 licensees, 2022 for pre-1994, and 2025 for pre-2021). Key provisions require these practitioners to retake and pass licensing exams to legally use diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (including glaucoma and oral medications). The bill also clarifies that "practice of optometry" includes diagnosing related systemic conditions. These changes aim to modernize scope-of-practice standards and ensure competency in medication use.