Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024
A. A person licensed as a dispensing optician
shall complete no fewer than 12 hours of continuing education that is approved
by the Board for credit.
1. For the initial
period of licensure for an applicant who obtains initial licensure between
January 1 and June 30, continuing education credits are due by December 31 of
the second full calendar year of licensure.
2. For the initial period of licensure for an
applicant who obtains initial licensure between July 1 and December 31,
continuing education credits are due by December 31 of the third full calendar
year of licensure.
3. Continuing
education credits for every subsequent period of licensure are due every three
years thereafter at the time of licensure renewal.
B. Each licensee shall submit documentation
to the Board verifying that the licensee has completed 12 hours or more of
continuing education, within each three-year period. The licensee shall provide
documentation that identifies the courses and the number of credit hours
completed and include the following:
1. If
the course is from a school approved by the Commission on Opticianry
Accreditation or college-accredited course, proof of course completion and the
number of credits earned.
2. If the
course is part of an event, a certificate of completion issued by the sponsor
which identifies each part completed.
3. If the course is a home-study course, a
certificate of completion issued by the sponsor and the number of credits
earned.
4. For any other course, a
certificate of completion issued by the sponsor or presenter and the number of
credits earned.
5. If the licensee
cannot obtain the above documentation, any other documents, affidavits, or
testimony which provides assurance that the licensee has completed the
requirements.
C. Of the
12 hours of continuing education, each licensee shall obtain at least:
1. Four hours in eyeglass fitting and
dispensing;
2. Three hours in
contact lens fitting and dispensing;
3. One hour in state or national opticianry
standards.
D. Hours will
be measured as follows: one credit hour will be assigned for each 50 minutes of
a single session.
E. The Board
shall discipline any licensee who submits false information for continuing
education documentation.
F. A
licensee shall not apply any hours accrued during one reporting period to any
subsequent reporting period.
