Important Rule Change Effective
June 1, 2007:
Wisconsin
Optometry Examining Board Notice of Changes to Administrative Rules
Chapters Opt 1-8, Wis. Admin. Code
Administrative
Code Rules Effective February 1, 2006
Summary provided by Kerry L. Griebenow, O.D., Chair of the Wisconsin
Optometry Examining Board.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE
As a result
of recent changes made to ch. 449, Stats., Practice of Optometry,
all Wisconsin licensed optometrists are now required to complete 30 hours
of continuing education prior to renewal of licensure. This means
you will be required to complete 30 hours of continuing education
by December 14, 2007 (the end of the licensing biennium). The
current list of approved continuing education coursework may be found
at: http://drl.wi.gov/prof/opto/ceu.htm
.
Previously,
the only optometrists required to complete 30 hours of continuing
education were those certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents
(TPA). Those certified to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPA)
previously needed one hour of continuing education, so they will now
need an additional 29 hours.
The Wisconsin
Optometry Examining Board has enacted emergency rules regarding continuing
education requirements summarized below.
Continuing
Education Requirements:
All
optometrists are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education
from approved sources in each biennial registration period. A minimum
of 7 of the 30 hours shall be in glaucoma education.
Biennium
from 12/15/odd – 12/14/odd.
CE
shall relate to the diagnosis and management of eye disease. Those
authorized to use DPA and TPA may also take CE related to removal
of superficial foreign bodies form the eye or an appendage to the
eye.
No
more than 6 hours total per biennium may be claimed for courses related
to contact lens, functional vision, general optometry, low vision,
jurisprudence and practice management.
Courses
in relevant content areas approved by COPE or sponsored by a state
optometric association, the American Optometric Association, the American
Academy of Optometry, or an accredited school or college of optometry
are approved without application to the Board.
Other
providers may apply to the Board for approval. Click here for
application form .
See
administrative
code Chapter OPT 8- Continuing Education for more details.
