Section 172-120-005 - CONTINUING COMPETENCY During the 24 months prior to the license renewal date, each licensed optometrist must complete 44 hours of approved continuing education. Each credentialed individual is responsible for maintaining certificates or records of continuing competency activities. Subject matter acceptable for continuing education credit is described as follows.
005.01STATE AND NATIONAL MEETINGS. For attendance at state and national meetings, such as meetings of the Nebraska Optometric Association or the American Optometric Association, licensees may earn credit for only the portion of the meeting which meets the definition of continuing education can be accepted for credit.005.02FORMAL EDUCATION. For attendance at formal education courses which relate directly to the practice of optometry, licensees may earn credit for each hour of attendance.005.03OPTOMETRIC COLLEGE-SPONSORED COURSES. For attendance at optometric college-sponsored courses in continuing education in optometry, licensees may earn credit for each hour of attendance.005.04HOME STUDY. For completion of home study continuing education with a testing mechanism, licensees may earn credit with a maximum of 8 hours of continuing education by home study during the 24-month renewal period. If there is not a testing mechanism or certificate of completion, the licensee must submit an abstract or summary of the material covered to the Board. Such abstract or summary must be written by only the licensee and will be reviewed by members of the Board. 005.04(A)EXAMPLES OF HOME STUDY. Examples of home study courses include, but are not limited to, professional journal articles, profession related Internet courses, online web courses, or other digital media.005.05CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR). For completion of initial CPR certification or for the re-certification, licensees may earn 1 hour credit for each hour of training, with a maximum of 2 credit hours of this type of continuing education during the 24-month renewal period.005.06PRACTICE MANAGEMENT. For attendance at practice management courses, licensees may earn 1 credit hour for each hour of practice management, with a maximum of 4 credit hours of this type of continuing education during the 24-month renewal period.005.07UNACCEPTABLE SUBJECT MATTER. Examples of unacceptable subject matter include, but are not limited to, education provided by a business entity for the purpose of promotion of their products or services.172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 120, § 005
Amended effective 3/21/2022