Credentialing optometrists can be complex compared to other health practitioners because only states can issue licenses to health care practitioners and there is variation among the states as to what constitutes the practice of optometry. These variations first arose when the scopes of practice permitted optometrists by the states expanded after 1970 as a result of additional optometry didactic and clinical training and these scopes of practice continue to evolve to this day and some states issue different levels of licensure depending upon an optometrist’s training and experience.
This article provides guidance to credentialing-privileging committees at Joint Commission accredited medical facilities seeking to credential optometrists who are, or will become, members of their medical staff.
Read the full article: Optometry Credentialing at Medical Facilities (PDF)