PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) responded Friday to news reports referencing the university’s Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), the only optometry college in the state, about proposed loopholes in the process for graduates seeking licensure.

An article published last month by Louisville-based WAVE News reported some optometry college graduates in Kentucky who were unable to pass certain sections of the national licensure exam received an okay from the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners to test in Canada in place of the U.S. national exam.

In a statement sent out Friday morning, UPIKE officials said, “The Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) does not grant, waive or otherwise influence professional licenses. Licensure decisions are made solely by the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners (KBOE) under state law, and the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) has never had authority over those processes. Any suggestion that KYCO controls or directs licensure standards is inaccurate.”

The statement also addressed the university’s past optometry college graduates who were found to have used the KBOE waiver.

“While it is true that some KYCO graduates have been included on a list of licensees for whom KBOE granted waiver-based licensure, the university had no involvement in those board decisions. This includes any decisions regarding alternative exams or waivers. KYCO does not participate in board licensing decisions, votes or waiver actions, and it did not advocate for those license pathways.”

On Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners issues its own response to the recent reports, citing an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General and consequent investigation reaching back to 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions were put in place.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions were instituted, the Board issued licensing waivers and alternative testing options to applicants,” the board’s statement read. “While the Attorney General’s Opinion indicated that the Board does have statutory authority to determine what examinations to accept, the appropriate regulatory process was not followed.”

The state board has since voted to file an amendment that beginning in 2027, the Canadian examination option will not be available.