The Support for Patients and Providers Act, signed into law on Dec. 1, is expected to ease federal education and training requirements for optometrists while supporting efforts to address opioid use disorders nationwide. The law recognizes the American Optometric Association (AOA) as a trusted education provider, giving the organization a formal role in helping doctors meet Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) training mandates.
Addressing Duplicative DEA Training
This new measure incorporates language allowing the AOA to certify qualifying state courses so they can count toward federal requirements. The AOA said the change is intended to prevent duplicative education, reduce administrative burden, and streamline compliance for its members who prescribe controlled substances.
Previous federal law required prescribers of controlled substances to complete specific opioid-related training, but some state-developed courses did not satisfy those federal criteria. As a result, certain practitioners may have been forced complete two separate trainings to meet state rules and to comply with DEA requirements.
“This legislative win is a meaningful step forward for patient care and for the doctors of optometry who serve communities every day,” said AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, OD. “By explicitly recognizing the AOA as a trusted provider of opioid-related education, lawmakers have strengthened our ability to equip doctors with high-quality clinical education that supports responsible prescribing and better health outcomes nationwide.”
Optometry-Specific Training Plans
The AOA says it is developing an optometry-specific opioid education course that it will offer through its EyeLearn Professional Development Hub in the coming months. An in-person education option is also planned for Optometry’s Meeting, June 17-20, 2026 in Phoenix, which will provide another pathway to fulfill training needs with content tailored to optometry.
Current Education Options
Currently, doctors can access the Providers Clinical Support System “Substance Use Disorder 101 Core Curriculum” to meet the DEA’s 8-hour education and training requirement This 23-module program developed by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry provides an overview of evidence-based approaches to preventing, identifying, and treating substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions.
Each module is available at no cost. When asked to identify profession during registration, optometrists can select “other” and indicate “optometry.”