Section 23.86. Sources of continuing education hours

(a) In addition to another provider which wishes to secure approval from the Board, the Board finds that the following providers have currently met the standards for provider approval for all acceptable courses of continuing education; accordingly, the following providers have program approval in all allowable areas for continuing education: the American Optometric Association, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, all Board-accredited schools and colleges of optometry, the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE), eye and vision-related continuing education courses offered by accredited medical colleges, as defined in section 2 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P. S. § 422.2), the Optometric Extension Program, the American Academy of Optometry and its state affiliates, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and its state affiliates, and eye and vision-related courses offered by the American Medical Association and its state affiliates. The approval given to these providers is subject to reevaluation. A recision of provider or program approval will be made only in accordance with 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to general rules of administrative practice and procedure).

(b) Courses which are provided by providers not indicated in subsection (a) will count as continuing education hours provided that the provider and subject matter are approved by the Board prior to implementation of the course. In addition, credits may be obtained on an individual basis for attendance at programs which have not had prior approval of the Board so long as the individual submits proper application for program approval and supporting documentation and verification of attendance; however, in this instance, the licensee cannot guarantee himself proper credit from the Board unless the Board finds such course to be in compliance with the subject matter and the provider to be qualified.

(c) It shall be permissible to attend clinical conferences, clinical rounds, or training under a preceptor through clinical hospitals, medical centers, schools, and colleges which are acceptable at the rate of one continuing education hour for every 50 minutes.

(d) Credit hours will be given for correspondence programs, taped study programs, and other individual study programs at the rate of 1 continuing education hour for every 50 minutes. However, proper credit being given for such program is dependent upon the licensee proving, to the satisfaction of the Board, that the program meets the provisions of § 23.85 (relating to standards for providers).

(e) Credit hours will be credited for service as a teacher, preceptor, lecturer, or speaker and for publications, articles, books, and research relating to the practice of optometry. Application should be made prior to the service to assure that approval will be given by the Board to the program. Otherwise, the licensee will be required to secure retroactive approval as set forth in subsection (b).

(f) Each licensee is required to fulfill the continuing education hours using the following allocations:

(1) Subsections (a) and (b) count for a minimum of 50%. Continuing education hours may be completed from subsections (a) and (b).

(2) Subsections (c), (d) or (e) may be used up to a maximum of 25% of the required biennial credit hours. In no case may the combined total from these three subsections exceed 50% of the total biennial requirement of 30 hours.

The provisions of this § 23.86 adopted April 16, 1982, effective April 17, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1231; amended August 6, 2004, effective August 7, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 4147. Immediately preceeding text appears at serial pages (302883) to (302884).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 23.86 amended under sections 3(b)(12) and (14) and 4.2 of the Optometric Practice and Licensure Act (63 P. S. § § 244.3(b)(12) and (14) and 244.4b).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 23.81 (relating to coverage); and 49 Pa. Code § 23.89 (relating to falsification of information).