Ind. Admin. Code tit. 852, r. 1-16-4 – Standards for approval of optometry continuing education hours

Sec. 4. (a) The board will approve a course if it determines that the course will make a significant contribution to the professional competency of optometrists who enroll.

(b) In determining if a course meets this standard, the board will consider whether the following requirements are met:

(1) The course has substantial content.
(2) The course content directly relates to the professional practice of optometry. Practice management courses will not be approved by the board.
(3) Each faculty member or speaker who has teaching responsibility in the course is qualified by academic work or practical experience to teach the assigned subject.
(4) The physical setting for the course is suitable.
(5) High quality written materials, including notes and outlines, are available to all optometrists who enroll at or prior to the time the course is offered.
(6) The course is of sufficient length to provide a substantial educational experience. Courses of less than one (1) hour will be reviewed carefully to determine if they furnish a substantial educational experience.
(7) Appropriate educational methodology is used, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. (A) Prepared library packages.
2. (B) Courses of programmed instruction.
3. (C) Active participation and demonstration.
4. (D) Audio-visual materials.
(8) An adequate number of faculty members or speakers are provided for the course. If audio-visual media are used as teaching materials, live presentations or discussion leaders must accompany the replaying of the media presentation.

(c) Continuing education credit for interoffice, hospital, or surgery center observation of another practitioner in the provision of optometric or ophthalmological procedures may also be granted, subject to board approval. Submissions for continuing education credit must be submitted within thirty (30) days after the event and contain a sponsor-provided extensive outline and timeline of patients observed or participatory procedures.

(Indiana Optometry Board; 852 IAC 1-16-4; filed Jul 23, 1987, 9:15 a.m.: 10 IR 2737; filed Jan 3, 2000, 10:07 a.m.: 23 IR 1106; readopted filed Jul 10, 2001, 2:59 p.m.: 24 IR 4238; readopted filed Jul 19, 2007, 12:56 p.m.: 20070808-IR- 852070059RFA; filed Aug 30, 2012, 2:03 p.m.: 20120926-IR-852120164FRA; readopted filed Nov 29, 2018, 10:35 a.m.: 20181226-IR-852180403RFA; readopted filed Jan 2, 2024, 3:48 p.m.: 20240131-IR-852230760RFA; filed Oct 15, 2024, 2:19 p.m.: 20241113-IR-852230737FRA)