SS 080-21

Statement of Scope

Optometry Examining Board

Rule No.:

Opt 8

Relating to:

Continuing Education

Rule Type:

Permanent

1. Finding/nature of emergency (Emergency Rule only):

N/A

2. Detailed description of the objective of the proposed rule:

The objective of the proposed rule is to clarify the number of in person continuing education hours required to renew an optometry license. The optometry board will also review Opt 8 in its entirety to ensure that continuing education requirements reflect current best practices in the field.

3. Description of the existing policies relevant to the rule, new policies proposed to be included in the rule, and an analysis of policy alternatives:

Updating the continuing education requirements will clarify the number of in person, continuing education hours required to renew an optometry license. Reviewing and updating the continuing education requirements will create clarity, utilize current technological methods of delivery of continuing education, and ensure required topics reflect the current practice of optometry.

4. Detailed explanation of statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):

15.08(5)(b) Each examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the profession to which it pertains and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the profession.

449.06(2m) The examining board shall promulgate rules requiring a person who is issued a license to practice optometry to complete, during the 2−year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified in s. 440.08(2)(a), not less than 30 hours of continuing education. The rules shall include requirements that apply only to optometrists who are allowed to use topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents under s. 449.17 or who are allowed to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents or remove foreign bodies from an eye or from an appendage to the eye under s. 449.18.

5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:

80 hours

6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:

Optometrists

7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:

None

8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):

None to minimal. It is not likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses.

Contact Person: Jon Derenne, Attorney, [phone]