1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Accredited” means continuing education activities produced and delivered by:

      1. (a) COPE administrators in compliance with COPE accreditation criteria, standards for commercial support, and policies and procedures; or
      2. (b) Non-COPE administrators in compliance with a program accepted as substantially equivalent to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) accreditation system.
   2. (2) “Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE)” means the program of the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, which accredits continuing education courses and activities accepted as substantially equivalent to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) accreditation system for optometrists.
   3. (3) “Credit hour” means the increment of educational instruction time.
   4. (4) “Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents (DPA) certified optometrist” means a licensed optometrist who has fulfilled the requirements of the Board and is certified by the Board to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry and provides diagnostic services to patients in Maryland.
   5. (5) “Pro bono work” means work provided in Maryland within the scope of practice of the licensee without financial reimbursement or direct financial gain.
   6. (6) “Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA) certified optometrist” means a licensed optometrist who has fulfilled the requirements of the Board and is certified by the Board to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry and provides therapeutic services to patients in Maryland.

Authority: §§1-225, 11-101, 11-205, 11-308(c), and 11-309, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: September 9, 1974

Regulation .04 amended effective June 6, 1983 (10:11 Md. R. 975)

Regulation .04F adopted effective December 3, 1984 (11:24 Md. R. 2069)

Chapter revised effective April 8, 1996 (23:7 Md. R. 552)

Regulation .02 amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1591)

Regulation .02B amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 488); July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)

Regulation ,03 amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)

Regulation .04 amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1591)

Regulation .04A amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 488)

Regulation .05 amended effective March 26, 2007 (34:6 Md. R. 627); October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1591); October 1, 2012 (39:19 Md. R. 1237); May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 488); July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)

Regulation .05B amended effective April 16, 2012 (39:7 Md. R. 493)

Regulation .05J adopted effective April 16, 2012 (39:7 Md. R. 493)

Regulation .06B, C amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1591)

Regulation .07 amended effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 488)