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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>73693</law_id><section_number>54.1-3204</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited acts</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-1509</reference><reference>54.1-3301</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="32">Optometry</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>It shall be unlawful for any person:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To practice optometry in this Commonwealth without holding a license issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. Practicing or offering to practice optometry, or the public representation of being qualified to practice the same by any person not authorized to practice optometry, shall be sufficient <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of a violation of the <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-265037" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To impersonate a licensed <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span> of like or different name. <a id="paragraph-265038" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To buy or sell or fraudulently obtain a diploma or license. <a id="paragraph-265039" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To do any act for which if he were an <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span> his license could be revoked as provided by this chapter. <a id="paragraph-265040" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> To possess any <span class="dictionary">trial</span> lenses, <span class="dictionary">trial</span> frames, graduated test cards, appliances or instruments used in the <span class="dictionary">practice of optometry</span>, self-testing devices or eyeglass vending machines for the purpose of fitting or prescribing glasses in the <span class="dictionary">practice of optometry</span>, unless he is or unless he regularly employs on the premises a licensed <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span> or a licensed physician. <a id="paragraph-265041" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> To publish or cause to be published in any manner an advertisement that is false, deceptive or misleading, contains a claim of professional superiority or violates regulations of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> governing advertising by <span class="dictionary">optometrists</span>. <a id="paragraph-265042" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> To sell, provide, furnish, supply or duplicate eyeglasses, or lenses for the correction of vision without the prescription of a licensed physician or licensed <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span>, unless he is the holder of a license to practice optometry or a license to practice medicine under the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of this Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-265043" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> To sell or dispense contact lenses, including plano or cosmetic lenses, without holding a license issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. This subdivision shall not apply to a licensed optician operating or working in a retail establishment, when selling or dispensing contact lenses, including plano or cosmetic lenses, upon the valid written prescription of an individual licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy, or a licensed <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span>. <a id="paragraph-265044" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> To dispense, administer, or sell an <span class="dictionary">ophthalmic device</span> containing Schedule III, IV, or VI controlled substances or an over-the-counter medication without holding a license issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, including TPA certification. An &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">ophthalmic device</span>&#x201D; shall mean any device, as defined in the Drug Control Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Citation" href="/54.1-3400/">54.1-3400</a> et seq.) customarily used primarily for ophthalmic purposes, including an <span class="dictionary">ophthalmic device</span> classified by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a drug. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a pharmacist from dispensing an <span class="dictionary">ophthalmic device</span>, as defined in this subsection, upon the written and valid prescription of an <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span>, providing the patient is then advised by the pharmacist to return for follow-up care to the <span class="dictionary">optometrist</span> prescribing the <span class="dictionary">ophthalmic device</span>.
			The provisions of this section shall be enforced in accordance with this chapter and &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Enforcement of laws by Director and investigative personnel; authority of investigative personnel and Director" href="/54.1-2506/">54.1-2506</a>. <a id="paragraph-265045" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3204/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 54-396; 1976, c. 758; 1977, c. 161; 1979, c. 39; 1988, c. 765; 2009, cc. 353, 761.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
