Limited Permit While Awaiting Part III Results
Alicia completed her OD in May 2025 and passed NBEO Parts I and II. She is scheduled for Part III in September 2025. A private practice offers her a position starting August 1, 2025, seeing patients independently. She has child abuse and infection control certificates. She has not applied for a license because she lacks Part III. The practice manager tells her that because she has an OD and two NBEO parts, she can work under the doctor's license without any permit. Alicia asks whether she can start seeing patients on August 1 and what she needs to do to make the employment lawful. She is eager to accept and does not want to lose the offer.
1. Can Alicia lawfully practice optometry on August 1 without a NY license or limited permit?
Read the worked answer
No. Optometry is a licensed profession; an OD degree and Parts I and II do not authorize practice. The supervising doctor's license does not create a blanket exemption for an unlicensed employee. Some delegation of tasks may be allowed to unlicensed assistants, but seeing patients independently, performing refractions, or making clinical decisions is practice. If she starts, both she and the practice face discipline. She may work in non-clinical roles until licensed.
2. What is the limited permit pathway and what conditions apply?
Read the worked answer
NY may issue a limited permit to a candidate who has completed the required education and met all other requirements except the examination. The candidate must apply to the Department, pay the fee, and identify a supervising licensed optometrist. The permit is time-limited and practice must be under supervision; it is not a license. Alicia should confirm that Part III is scheduled and that her education and additional requirements are documented. She cannot begin until the permit is issued.
3. If the practice wants her to see patients independently, what should she tell them?
Read the worked answer
She should say no and explain the risk. Independent patient care before licensure is unlicensed practice. The practice can employ her in scheduling, billing, or other non-clinical work, or wait for her license or permit. If she obtains a limited permit, the supervisor must actually supervise and be available; a nominal signature is not enough. She should get the permit approval in writing before the start date.