Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) The definitions in this subsection apply
throughout this section:
(a) "Asynchronous"
means the course instructor and learner are not together at the same time, have
no real-time communications, and the content is learner-paced.
(b) "Synchronous in-person" means the
instructor is in the same room and face-to-face with the learner, even if other
formats are used as audiovisual aids for teaching the course.
(c) "Synchronous virtual" means the course
instructor is not physically present but is meeting with learners in real time
and can provide immediate feedback.
(2) A licensed optometrist must complete and
document 50 total hours of continuing education every two years in compliance
with WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-235. Of
the 50 total credit hours:
(a) A minimum of
10 credit hours must be completed through synchronous in-person
learning;
(b) A maximum of 25
credit hours may be completed through asynchronous learning;
(c) The remaining credit hours may be
completed through any combination of synchronous virtual learning and
asynchronous learning; and
(d) In
the event of a declaration of emergency for the state of Washington or federal
declaration of emergency affecting the state of Washington, all credit hours
may be completed through synchronous virtual or asynchronous learning for the
duration of the declared emergency.
(3) Documentation of continuing education
credit hours is a certificate of completion, letter, or other document which
must:
(a) Verify or confirm attendance or
completion of continuing education hours, with the exception of hours earned
under WAC
246-851-170 category 5;
(b) Be provided by the organization providing
the education activity; and
(c)
Contain at least the following information:
(i) Date of attendance or
completion;
(ii) Hours earned;
and
(iii) Course title or
subject.
(4)
A licensed optometrist may alternatively meet the continuing education
requirements of this section by providing proof that the licensee:
(a) Holds a current certification by the
American Board of Optometry or other certification program deemed substantially
equivalent to American Board of Medical Specialties' programs; or
(b) Is practicing solely outside of
Washington state and meets the continuing education requirements of the state
or territory in which the licensee practices.
(5) Nothing in this section exempts a
licensed optometrist from the education and training requirements for:
(a) Suicide prevention in WAC
246-851-245; or
(b) Health equity in WAC
246-851-225.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-851-090,
filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.54.070(2). 97-12-088,
§ 246-851-090, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97. Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.54.070. 92-06-030 (Order 248B), §
246-851-090, filed 2/26/92, effective 3/28/92; 91-06-025 (Order 119B),
recodified as § 246-851-090, filed 2/26/91, effective 3/29/91; 88-07-047
(Order PM 710), § 308-53-100, filed 3/11/88. Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.54.070(5). 80-01-088
(Order PL 326), § 308-53-100, filed 12/28/79; Order PL 239, §
308-53-100, filed 3/3/76.
