R156-16a-304. Continuing Education

(1) Under Section 58-16a-304, the standards for the 30 hours of qualified continuing professional education required during each two-year licensure cycle are established in this section. (2) Except as provided in Subsection R156-16a-304(3), continuing professional education shall consist of: (a) courses approved by: (i) the Council on Professional Education (COPE); (ii) the American Optometry Association (AOA); or (iii) the Optometry Licensing Board; or (b) optometry-related courses approved by the Council on Medical Education. (3) In addition to completing approved courses, a licensee may obtain continuing professional education hours as follows: (a) up to two hours through courses in certification or recertification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BCLS); (b) up to two hours through Division training regarding use of the Utah Controlled Substance Database; or (c) up to 15% of the 30-hour requirement by providing volunteer health care services under Section 58-13-3, with one hour of credit for every four documented hours of volunteer services. (4) A licensee may not carry over hours exceeding the 30-hour requirement from one licensure cycle to another licensure cycle. (5) If a licensee first becomes licensed during the two-year licensure cycle, the licensee's required number of hours shall be decreased proportionately according to the date of licensure. (6) The Division may defer or waive continuing professional education requirements for a licensee in accordance with Section R156-1-308d. (7) A licensee who is a controlled substance prescriber shall obtain their controlled substance prescribing continuing education hours in accordance with Sections 58-37-303 and R156-37-402. (8) A licensee shall maintain documentation sufficient to prove compliance with this section for two years after the end of the licensure cycle for which the continuing professional education is due.