Section 3. Opt 8.02 (1m) is created to read:
(1m) During the biennial registration period commencing December 15, 2019 and ending December 14, 2021, unless granted a hardship waiver in accordance with sub. (3m), the 30 required hours of continuing education shall include 2 hours on the topic of responsible prescribing of controlled substances.
Section 4. Opt 8.02 (2) and (3) are amended to read:
(2) Except as provided in sub. (4), approved A minimum of 20 of the 30 hours of approved continuing education hours, as specified in sub. (1), required for optometrists who are allowed to use diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents shall relate to the diagnosis and management of eye disease ocular health, conditions, or disease management, or the removal of superficial foreign bodies from an eye or from an appendage to the eye.
(3) Except as provided in sub. (4), approved A minimum of 20 of the 30 hours of approved continuing education hours, as specified in sub. (1), required for optometrists who are not allowed to use diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents shall relate to the diagnosis and management of eye disease ocular health, conditions, or disease management.
Section 5. Opt 8.02 (3e), (3m), and (3s) are created to read:
(3e) At least 20 of the 30 hours of approved continuing education required under sub. (1) shall be completed by attending programs in person. Any programs not completed in person shall be COPE or Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education™ approved programs, in accordance with s. Opt 8.03 (1) (a), or programs approved under s. Opt 8.03 (2). (3m) In cases of hardship, a licensee may apply to the board for any of the following:
(a) Approval of less than the 20 hours of in person continuing education required under sub. (3e).
(b) Approval of a continuing education program under s. Opt 8.03 (2). (3s) An optometrist who by the renewal date has been licensed for one year or less from the date issued shall not be required to report continuing education for the first renewal of the license. An optometrist who by the renewal date holds a license for more than one year and less than 2 years shall be required to report 15 hours of approved continuing education for the first renewal of the license.
Section 6. Opt 8.02 (4), (8), (9) and (10) are repealed.
Section 7. Opt 8.03 and Opt 8.03 (Note) are repealed and recreated to read:
Opt 8.03 Continuing education approval. (1) The board shall accept the following in satisfaction of continuing education for each biennium:
(a) Any continuing education program approved by COPE or Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education™.
(b) Any in person continuing education program relevant to the practice of optometry provided by one of the following organizations:
1. Wisconsin Optometric Association.
2. American Optometric Association.
3. American Academy of Optometry.
4. Optometric Extension Program Foundation.
5. Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.
6. College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
7. A school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
(2) The board may approve a continuing education program not accepted under sub. (1). To apply for approval of a continuing education program, a provider shall submit to the board an application on forms provided by the department at least 30 days prior to the program. An application filed under this subsection or s. Opt 8.02 (3e) or (3m) (b) shall include all of the following: (a) Title of the program.
(b) Date of the program.
(c) General description and timed outline of the program.
(d) Name and qualifications of the instructor.
(e) Sponsoring organization of the program.
(f) Category of the program relevant to the practice of optometry.
(g) Approved number of continuing education program hours requested.
(h) Delivery method of the program.
(3) The provider of the continuing education program under sub. (1) (b) or (2) agrees to monitor the attendance and furnish a certificate of attendance to each participant. The certificate of attendance shall certify successful completion of the program.
(4) In cases of hardship under s. Opt 8.02 (3m), the board may waive any requirement under this section or s. Opt 8.02 (3e) as deemed appropriate by the board. Note: Application forms for continuing education program approval are available on the department’s website at dsps.wi.gov, or by request from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708, or call (608) 266-2112.
Section 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on December 15, 2019.
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(END OF TEXT OF RULE)
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Dated _________________ Agency __________________________________
Chair
Optometry Examining Board
