Section R4-20-120. Continuing Education; Hours Required; Report- ing

A.      Within every three-year period from the date of obtaining a license, a person licensed as a dispensing optician shall com- plete no fewer than 12 hours of continuing education that is approved by the Board for credit.

B.       Each licensee shall submit documentation to the Board verify- ing that the licensee has completed 12 hours or more of con- tinuing education, within each three-year period. The licensee shall provide documentation that identifies the courses and the number of credit hours completed and include the following:

1.        If the course is from a school approved by the Commis- sion on Opticianry Accreditation or college-accredited course, proof of course completion and the number of credits earned.

2.        If the course is part of an event, a certificate of comple- tion issued by the sponsor which identifies each part com- pleted.

3.        If the course is a home-study course, a certificate of com- pletion issued by the sponsor and the number of credits earned.

4.        For any other course, a certificate of completion issued by the sponsor or presenter and the number of credits earned.

5.        If the licensee cannot obtain the above documentation, any other documents, affidavits, or testimony which pro- vides assurance that the licensee has completed the requirements.

C.      Of the 12 hours of continuing education, each licensee shall obtain at least:

1.        Four hours in eyeglass fitting and dispensing;

2.        Three hours in contact lens fitting and dispensing;

3.        One hour in state or national opticianry standards.

D.      Hours will be measured as follows: one credit hour will be assigned for each 50 minutes of a single session.

E.       The Board shall discipline any licensee who submits false information for continuing education documentation.

F.       A licensee shall not apply any hours accrued during one reporting period to any subsequent reporting period.

Historical Note

Adopted effective July 22, 1994 (Supp. 94-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 3660, effective Novem- ber 15, 2005 (Supp. 05-3).