64B13-5.002. Criteria for Approval

(1) In determining whether to approve a program of continuing professional education, the Board shall consider whether the program contributes to the improvement, advancement, and extension of one’s professional skill and knowledge to the benefit of the patient he or she serves. Continuing education courses in Florida jurisprudence as stated in subsection 64B13-5.001(6), F.A.C., shall be provided by an individual or organization with demonstrated competence in Florida Law pertaining to optometric practice as evidenced by the individual or organization’s credentials, education and experience.

(2) Approval of non-transcript quality continuing education programs.

(a) A non-transcript quality continuing education program must satisfy the following criteria or course content:

1. The course must be an organized program of learning that will contribute to the advancement and enhancement of professional competency and scientific knowledge in the practice of optometry, and must be designed to reflect the educational needs of Florida optometrists.

2. The course must have scientific and educational integrity and must contain customary and generally accepted optometric and medical practices.

3. The course must have an outline which demonstrates consistency with the course description and reflects the course content.

4. A course handout/outline must be provided to all participants.

5. The course must be taught in a manner appropriate to the educational content, objectives, and purpose of the program, and must allow suitable time to be effectively presented to the audience.

6. The minimum credit for any qualified course is one hour. One hour of continuing education credit equals fifty (50) minutes of instructional time.

7. Instructors must have the necessary qualifications, training and experience to present the course. Principal instructors must hold a minimum of a doctorate-level degree (O.D., M.D., Ph.D., D.O., J.D., D.D.S., D.C., Pharm.D., L.L.D., D.Ed., D.Sc., etc.) or its international equivalent. Faculties at accredited schools or colleges of optometry are exempt from this requirement. Individuals who do not hold at least a doctorate-level degree, or are not on faculty at an accredited school or college of optometry shall only be listed as adjunct instructors for the course and only when the principal instructor holds a doctorate-level degree. For courses focusing on optometric practice management, instructors are not required to hold doctoral level degrees, but must demonstrate their expertise in providing such continuing education.

(b) A non-transcript quality continuing education program shall be approved upon presentation of the following information by the program or course provider or by a licensed practitioner who attended the course:

1. Compliance with the criteria or course content specified in subparagraphs (2)(a)1.-7., above.

2. Date(s) and time(s) of each course.

3. Complete outline of course, including a breakdown of hours for each subject.

4. Evidence that the fees specified in subsections 64B13-6.001(12) and (13), F.A.C., have been paid; provided however, should the provider not seek approval of the course, the licensed practitioner seeking approval of the course shall pay the fee.

5. Notwithstanding subparagraphs (2)(b)1.-3., if the program is non-transcript quality and has been previously approved by the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE), or by any other recognized organization that sponsors optometric education, utilizing the criteria set forth in paragraph (2)(a), the Board shall approve the program upon submission of the approved course number issued by COPE or other recognized organization and compliance with subparagraph (2)(b)4.

(3) Additional Criteria for Approval of Online/Distance Learning Courses.

(a) In addition to the requirements of subsections (1) and (2), providers seeking approval of online/distance learning courses shall also submit the following:

1. A description of whether the course is live interactive or on-demand;

2. A description of how participants may ask questions of the presenter and how and when those questions will be answered;

3. A copy of the online pre- and post-test, if applicable;

4. A description of how the provider will ensure the licensee seeking course credit is the person attending the course;

5. A description of the level of technology required for the licensee to participate in the course and how this requirement is conveyed to potential course attendees; and

6. How the provider will provide technical assistance to participants as appropriate to the course format.

(4) Approval of transcript quality continuing education programs.

(a) A transcript quality continuing education program must satisfy the following criteria or course content:

1. Compliance with the criteria or course content specified in subparagraphs (2)(a)1.-6.

2. The course must be in consultation with or sponsored by a school or college of optometry or equivalent entity.

3. The course must be in at least two (2) hour blocks.

4. The course must be taught by instructors approved by the Board. Faculty members that instruct regular courses for the sponsoring school or equivalent educational entity will automatically be approved. Instructors not fitting into this category must be approved by the Board.

5. The course must require a Board approved examination with a passing grade. Grading and certification of examinations can be delegated by the provider to an equivalent educational entity.

6. The examination must be monitored or mailed to the licensee after the course.

(b) A transcript quality continuing education program shall be approved upon presentation of the following:

1. Compliance with the criteria or course content specified in subparagraphs (3)(a)1.-6.

2. Date(s) and time(s) of each course.

3. Complete outline of course, including a breakdown of hours for each subject.

4. A letter from the dean of the sponsoring school or college of optometry or equivalent educational entity certifying transcript quality credit.

5. A copy of the examination to be given, with the answer key.

6. Identification of the entity responsible for grading and certifying the examination(s).

7. Evidence that the fees specified in subsections 64B13-6.001(14) and (15), F.A.C., have been paid.

(c) In order for a course to be considered transcript quality, it must be approved by the Board as transcript quality prior to the time it is taken.

(5) A course needs to be approved only once during the biennium in which it is presented so long as the presenter and the course outline do not change.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 463.005(1) FS. Law Implemented 463.007(4) FS. History–New 11-13-79, Formerly 21Q-5.02, Amended 12-16-86, 12-11-88, 7-10-91, 10-28-92, Formerly 21Q-5.002, 61F8-5.002, Amended 11-29-94, 7-5-95, 8-18-96, Formerly 59V-5.002, Amended 3-21-00, 5-8-02, 8-19-03, 12-26-05, 12-25-06, 4-21-10, 7-21-11, 10-2-18.