Minnesota Administrative Rules

6500.0950 HOME STUDY AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

Subpart 1.

Home study and contact hours.

Licensees may acquire 15 hours of continuing education credits through home study in each two-year compliance period. Licensees may utilize self-instruction components presented in vision care periodicals, the Internet, audio and audiovisual taped programs, and other program materials specifically designed for self-instruction. All programs must include a self-test. One continuing education credit may be earned for each hour of self-instruction activity. Continuing education credits may include both instructional and testing activities. Licensees may also earn continuing education credits through contact hour equivalents. One contact hour is equivalent to one continuing education credit. Contact hour equivalents include the activities in items A to C.

A.

The presentation of a lecture before an audience of optometric or other health professionals will result in one contact hour for each hour of presentation. For one time only, the lecturer can also acquire two contact hours for preparation of the lecture for each hour of presentation. A syllabus or lecture manuscript shall be furnished to the board to document the presented program.

B.

Licensees may earn continuing education credits for the preparation of articles accepted for publication in optometric journals or other health-related journals and for the preparation of books accepted for publication. A maximum of three hours of continuing education credits will be granted for acceptance and publication of articles in optometric or health-related journals. A maximum of nine hours of continuing education credits will be granted for acceptance and publication of books on optometry-related subjects.

C.

Licensees may earn continuing education credits for participation in organized volunteer programs helping underserved people throughout the world by providing medical eye care and eyeglasses. A maximum of seven continuing education credits may be granted for each volunteer program.

Subp. 2.

Approval of other education programs.

Upon written request, the board may approve the use of education methods not listed in subpart 1, and may determine the number of earned contact hours. Board approval will be determined on the following criteria:

A.

Whether or not the program is likely to contribute to the advancement and extension of professional skill and knowledge in the practice of optometry.

B.

Whether the sponsor or author of the program is recognized by the board as being qualified to design a program for education in the field of optometry.

C.

As a condition of approval of a program of self-instruction, the board may require that the author, sponsor, or licensee furnish the board with copies of instructional materials and testing tools.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 148.53; 214.12

History:

11 SR 1793; 23 SR 883

Published Electronically:

June 11, 2008