The Board proposes the rule amendment to delete unnecessary language and to add new language to clarify the hours requirement for continuing education.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Optometry

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B13-5.001Hours Requirement

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to delete unnecessary language and to add new language to clarify the hours requirement for continuing education.

SUMMARY: The rule amendment deletes unnecessary language and adds new language to clarify the hours requirement for continuing education.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.013(7), 463.005(1), 463.007 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013(7), 463.007 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: William Miller, Executive Director, Board of Optometry/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C07, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3257

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B13-5.001 Hours Requirement.

(1) As a condition to the renewal of a biennial license, each licensed practitioner shall be required to maintain professional competency by completing 30 clock hours of continuing education in subjects relating to optometry that have been approved by the Board. Licensed practitioners shall not be required to complete the continuing education requirements during the biennium in which they are initially licensed but must complete one hour of approved continuing education in acquired immune deficiency syndrome that complies with the requirements of Section 456.033, F.S. Credit for continuing education will be allowed on the basis of an hour for hour. To receive one hour credit, a licensed practitioner must attend not less than 50 minutes. There will be no fractional hour credits. No continuing education course may be completed for credit more than once per biennium.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) As part of the 30 clock hours, licensed practitioners shall be permitted to obtain two hours in the area of practice management. No more than two hours of continuing education in the area of practice management may be applied to the 30 clock hour requirement in subsection (1). Licensed practitioners shall be permitted to earn two hours of the 30 clock hours in the area of practice management.

(e) through (f) No change.

(2) The Board shall audit an appropriate number of randomly selected licensed practitioners to assure that the reports of completion of continuing education are valid. At the time of audit, each designated licensed practitioner must provide to the Board office appropriate documentation of completion of the required continuing education. All licensed practitioners are responsible for maintaining appropriate records of completed continuing education for the past two bienniums.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013(7), 463.005(1), 463.007 FS. Law Implemented 456.013(7), 463.007 FS. History–New 11-13-79, Amended 5-28-80, 9-16-80, 1-13-81, 2-14-82, Formerly 21Q-5.01, Amended 12-16-86, 12-11-88, 4-19-89, 12-20-89, 9-22-92, 10-28-92, Formerly 21Q-5.001, Amended 8-31-93, Formerly 61F8-5.001, Amended 11-29-94, 7-5-95, 8-18-96, Formerly 59V-5.001, Amended 3-21-00, 10-2-01, 1-8-02, 5-8-02, 3-20-03, 12-25-06, 1-11-14,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Optometry

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Optometry

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 6, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 24, 2014