Section 244.4a - Certification to prescribe and administer pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes(a) In addition to its other powers and duties under this act, the board shall have the power and duty to certify qualified licensees to prescribe and administer pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes as defined in this amendatory act. To obtain such certification, a licensee shall submit an application to the board on a form provided by the board showing to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee has either:(1) graduated from an accredited school of optometry and as a condition for graduation has successfully completed a minimum of 100 hours in the prescription and administration of pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes and has passed a licensure examination to practice optometry which examination included the prescription and administration of pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes; or(2) completed a board-approved course of a minimum of 100 hours in the prescription and administration of pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes and has passed an examination on the prescription and administration of pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes, which examination was prepared and administered by a qualified and approved professional testing organization in accordance with section 812.1 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L. 177, No. 175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929."(b) In order to maintain such authority, the licensee shall, as part of the continuing education required for renewal of a license under this act, complete such additional study in the prescription and administration of pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes.1980, June 6, P.L. 197, No. 57, § 4.1, added 1996, Oct. 30, P.L. 721, No. 130, § 4, imd. effective.