(a) Education for an advanced degree in optometric
field or optometrically related field. One-hour credit will be given
for each semester hour earned, and a total of 16 credit hours will
be allowed for each full academic year of study.
(b) Research in lieu of training. Credit will be given
only for full-time research. Sixteen credit hours will be given for
each full year of research.
(c) Teaching. One credit hour is allowed for each education
hour of teaching of board-approved continuing education courses.
(d) Continuing education courses. See §275.1(b)
of this title (relating to General Requirements).
(e) Clinical rotations or rounds. One hour of continuing
education credit will be given for each two clock hours spent on clinical
rounds, for a maximum of four hours per calendar year. Beginning with
the 2023 license renewal, credit will be given for a maximum of eight
hours of clinical rotations or rounds hours taken during the two-year
period preceding license renewal. Sponsoring organizations and universities
must submit information regarding scheduled rounds and certify to
the board at least on a quarterly basis the number of continuing education
hours obtained.
(f) Credit will be given for a maximum of eight hours
of the combined total of correspondence course hours and on-line computer
course hours per calendar year. Beginning with the 2023 license renewal,
credit will be given for a maximum of 16 hours of the combined total
of correspondence course hours and on-line computer course hours taken
during the two-year period preceding license renewal. On-line computer
courses are those courses described in §275.1(b)(8) of this title.
Correspondence courses must be sponsored and graded by accredited
optometry colleges.
(g) Requirements for renewal of license imposed by
other state law. A licensee that fails to timely meet these requirements
may not renew the license.
(1) Two-hour controlled substances prescribing course.
Section 481.07635 of the Health and Safety Code requires each active
optometric glaucoma specialist licensed prior to September 1, 2020,
to complete two hours of continuing education related to approved
procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances on
or before September 1, 2021. Each active optometric glaucoma specialist
licensed after September 1, 2020, must complete the continuing education
required by this subsection within one year of the initial optometric
glaucoma specialist license date. Licensees will receive two credit
hours upon submission of written proof of completion of the approved
course. This is a one-time education requirement. The taking of board-approved
courses described in this subsection in subsequent years may satisfy
the professional responsibility requirement of §275.1(b) of this
title.
(2) One-hour opioid prescribing course. To renew a
license for 2021 and subsequent years, §481.0764 of the Health
and Safety Code requires all active licensees who prescribe or dispense
opioids to take each year a one-hour board-approved continuing education
course covering best practices, alternative treatment options, and
multi-modal approaches to pain management that may include physical
therapy, psychotherapy, and other treatments. Licensees will receive
one credit hour upon submission of written proof of completion of
the approved course.
(3) One-hour human trafficking course. Not later than
January 1, 2021, all active licensees who provide direct patient care
must submit proof of completion of a one-hour human trafficking course
approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission as required
by §116.002 of the Occupations Code. Commencing effective January
1, 2022, all active licensees who provide direct patient care shall
complete one-hour of human trafficking continuing education prior
to each biennial renewal as required by §116.003 of the Occupations
Code. The courses taken to satisfy the human trafficking requirement
shall include information on identifying and assisting victims of
human trafficking and be approved by the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §275.2 adopted to be effective August 11, 1983, 8 TexReg 2934; amended to be effective March 4, 1985, 10 TexReg 631; amended to be effective August 5, 1985, 10 TexReg 2356; amended to be effective February 11, 1987, 12 TexReg 344; amended to be effective May 28, 1990, 15 TexReg 2756; amended to be effective June 2, 1992, 17 TexReg 3731; amended to be effective January 1, 1994, 18 TexReg 5745; amended to be effective May 17, 1996, 21 TexReg 3942; amended to be effective May 28, 1997, 22 TexReg 4362; amended to be effective March 28, 2002, 27 TexReg 2237; amended to be effective December 9, 2019, 44 TexReg 7543; amended to be effective July 19, 2020, 45 TexReg 4985;amended to be effective May 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 3393 |