Continuing Education
The Board accepts all COPE approved courses as well as courses from a local, regional or national optometric association without further Board approval.
Any courses not COPE approved but approved by this Board are in the minutes under the "Consumer Information" link. Below are the rules regarding Continuing Education:
R4-21-210. Approval of Continuing Education
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The Board approves the following as continuing education:
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An internship, residency, or fellowship attended at an educational institution with an accredited optometry program.
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An educational program designed to provide understanding of current developments, procedures, or treatments, or improve skills related to the practice of the profession of optometry and:
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Provided by an educational institution with an accredited optometry program; or
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Sponsored or approved by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, Council on Optometric Practitioner Education, or a local, regional, or national optometric association.
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To obtain approval of a continuing education that is not approved under subsection (A), the provider of the continuing education or a licensee shall, before providing or participating in the continuing education:
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Submit an application for approval, using a form that is available from the Board, and provide the following information:
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Name of applicant
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Address and telephone number of applicant
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Provider of the continuing education
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Name and telephone number of a contact person with the continuing education provider
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Name of the continuing education
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Date and location of the continuing education
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Manner in which potential participants will be notified that the continuing education is available
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Number of hours of the continuing education and the number of hours that relate to practice management
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Name of instructor of the continuing education, and
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Dated signature of the applicant
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Submit a curriculum vitae for the instructor of the continuing education; and
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Submit a syllabus of the continuing education that identifies learning objectives, teaching methods, and content.
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The provider of an approved continuing education shall provide each participant with a certificate or other evidence of attendance that meets the standards at R4-21-209(E).
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The Board shall approve a continuing education if the application required under subsection (B) is submitted and the Board determines that the continuing education is designed to provide understanding of current developments, procedures, or treatments, or improve skills related to the practice of the profession of optometry.
