Continuing Education Approval for Optometry & Optometric Legend Drug Hours
You will need to download and print the following documents:
- Application for Approval of Continuing Education Programs for Optometry and Optometric Legend Drug Hours
- Information and Instruction Sheet
- Indiana Optometry Board Statute and Administrative Rules. A compilation from the Indiana Code and Administrative Code.
- Optometry Statute (IC 25-24
- Optometry Administrative Rules (Title 852)
If you do not have adobe acrobat, or if you would prefer to receive an application packet by mail, you may obtain one by contacting the Indiana Optometry Board at (317) 234-2054 or email us at pla8@pla.IN.gov or FAX us at (317) 233-4236. Please specify that you are requesting an application for approval of continuing education programs for optometry and optometric legend drug hours with your name and full mailing address. You may also request an application by writing to:
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Attn: Indiana Optometry Board
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Statutes and Administrative Rules which pertain to the practice of optometry are available to download as stated above. If you would prefer to have a copy sent to you, please submit your request in writing with a fee of $3.00 to the address listed below.
INFORMATION
APPROVAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Under the statutory provision as listed below, if a program is designed to directly enhance the optometrist's knowledge and skill in providing services relevant to the optometry profession or occupation and falls under an "Approved Organization" it is no longer necessary to submit an application for approval to the Board.
Under IC 25-1-4-0.2:
- Sec. 0.2. As used in this chapter, "approved organization" refers to the following:
- United States Department of Education.
- Council on Post-Secondary Education.
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
- Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations.
- Federal, state, and local government agencies.
- A college or other teaching institution accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Education.
- A national organization of practitioners whose members practicing in Indiana are subject to regulation by a board or agency regulating a profession or occupation under this title or IC 15.
- A national, state, district, or local organization that operates as an affiliated entity under the approval of any organization listed in subdivisions (1) and (7).
- An internship or a residency program conducted in a hospital that has been approved by an organization listed in subdivisions (1) through (7).
- Any other organization or individual approved by the Board.
- Also, under IC 25-1-4-0.5:
Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, "continuing education means an orderly process of instruction that is approved by an approved organization or the board that is designed to directly enhance the practitioner's knowledge and skill in providing services relevant to the practitioner's profession or occupation.
SIXTY (60) DAY DEADLINE FOR OPTOMETRY CONTINUING EDUCATION APPLICATIONS
As of September 7, 2006, all sponsoring organizations and attendees, who do not fall under IC 25-1-4-0.2 as an approved organization, are required to file an application for approval of optometry continuing education programs sixty (60) days prior to the date of the program. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
If you are requesting approval of optometry and optometric legend drug continuing education in the same application you must submit your application sixty (60) days prior to the date of the program. If the deadline is not met the Board will deny approval of the optometry continuing education hours. The Board will only be able to consider approval of the optometric legend drug hours.
If you are only requesting approval of optometric legend drug continuing education hours the Board encourages you to submit your application at least sixty (60) days in advance.
COPIES OF APPLICATION AND DOCUMENATION
If your program does not fall under IC 25-1-4-0.2, sponsoring organizations or attendees are required to Sponsoring organizations are required to submit the following:
- One (1) original and one (1) copy of the application.
- One (1) original and one (1) copy of a detailed course syllabus or outline or a printout of the Power Point presentation.
- One (1) original and one (1) copy of the brochure, evaluation form, and curriculum vitas or resumes.
If the Committee does not receive one (1) original and one (1) copy of the application and all of the requested documentation, the application will be returned to the sponsor and will be denied approval.
APPROVAL CERTIFICATES
Upon approval by the Board, a certificate will be issued and mailed to the Sponsor. Sponsors may go to the Agency's website at http://www.in.gov/pla to determine if the application has been received and/or approved.
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The rules which pertain to optometry continuing education requirements are located at 852 IAC 1-16 and 852 IAC 2-2. Statutes and Administrative Rules are available to download from the Agency's website at http://www.in.gov/pla. If you would prefer to have a copy sent to you, please submit your request in writing with a fee of $3.00 to the address listed below.
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS NOT ACCEPTABLE
The Board has determined that courses in the areas of:
- Practice Management
- Writing of articles for publication and teaching of courses
are not acceptable for approval of continuing education hours. RECORD OF ATTENDANCE As a condition to approval of programs, the sponsoring organization must agree to provide participants with a record of attendance. The certificate shall state the following:
- The name of the participant
- The name of the sponsoring organization
- The title of the program
- The date of the program
- The location of the program
- The number of continuing education hours awarded.
The sponsor shall retain records of attendance by participants for four (4) years from the date of the program.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions regarding the application process for continuing education approval you may contact the Indiana Optometry Board at:
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Attn: Indiana Optometry Board
402 W. Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Staff Phone: (317) 234-2054
FAX: (317) 233-4236
Staff Email: pla8@pla.IN.gov
Web Site: http://www.in.gov/pla
