201 KAR 5:030. Annual courses of study required.

      RELATES TO: KRS 320.280

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 320.240(7), 320.280(2)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 320.280(2) requires all licensed optometrists to annually take courses of study in subjects relating to the practice of optometry. This administrative regulation establishes the required hours of study and prescribes the approved programs and those records which shall be maintained and submitted showing proof of attendance at those programs.

      Section 1. (1) The annual course of study shall be completed each calendar year.

      (2)(a) A licensee shall attend eight (8) continuing education credit hours.

      (b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection, an optometrist, who is authorized to prescribe therapeutic agents, shall attend a minimum of seven (7) credit hours in ocular therapy and pharmacology, for a total of fifteen (15) continuing education credits.

      Section 2. In order to be approved, an educational course shall be sponsored by a recognized and established state, regional (multistate) or national optometric association, an accredited college of optometry or an accredited college of medicine.

      Section 3. (1) In order to be credited for an educational course, a licensee shall submit an attendance form to the board.

      (2) The attendance form shall be submitted on or before December 31 of each calendar year.

      Section 4. A sponsor of an approved educational course shall meet the following requirements:

      (1) He shall furnish an attendance form to a licensee;

      (2) The attendance form shall contain the following information:

      (a) Name of the sponsoring organization;

      (b) Name and address of the licensee;

      (c) Educational topics addressed at the course;

      (d) Identity of the speakers;

      (e) Number of hours attended by the licensee;

      (f) Date of the program;

      (g) Statement by the licensee that he has attended the course; and

      (h) Signature of an official of the sponsoring organization.

      Section 5. Credit shall not be given for more than two (2) hours attendance in a course of office management and administration.

      Section 6. Credit may be granted for a maximum of two (2) hours continuing education through the Internet.

Section 7. Within one (1) year of initial licensure and thereafter every dicennial year, an optometrist shall successfully complete a continuing education course of not less than one (1) hour concerning HIV/AIDS that complies with KRS 214.610(1) and is approved by the Cabinet for Health Services HIV/AIDS Branch. (1 Ky.R. 61; eff. 11-13-74; Am. 17 Ky.R. 2486; 2941; eff. 4-5-91; 27 Ky.R. 2866; 28 Ky.R. 350; eff. 8-15-2001; 28 Ky.R. 2639; 29 Ky.R. 430; eff. 8-12-2002.)