PDFWAC 246-851-090
Continuing education requirement.
(1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section:
(a) "Asynchronous" means the course instructor and learner are not together at the same time, have no real-time communications, and the content is learner-paced.
(b) "Synchronous in-person" means the instructor is in the same room and face-to-face with the learner, even if other formats are used as audiovisual aids for teaching the course.
(c) "Synchronous virtual" means the course instructor is not physically present but is meeting with learners in real time and can provide immediate feedback.
(2) A licensed optometrist must complete and document 50 total hours of continuing education every two years in compliance with WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-235. Of the 50 total credit hours:
(a) A minimum of 10 credit hours must be completed through synchronous in-person learning;
(b) A maximum of 25 credit hours may be completed through asynchronous learning;
(c) The remaining credit hours may be completed through any combination of synchronous virtual learning and asynchronous learning; and
(d) In the event of a declaration of emergency for the state of Washington or federal declaration of emergency affecting the state of Washington, all credit hours may be completed through synchronous virtual or asynchronous learning for the duration of the declared emergency.
(3) Documentation of continuing education credit hours is a certificate of completion, letter, or other document which must:
(a) Verify or confirm attendance or completion of continuing education hours, with the exception of hours earned under WAC 246-851-170 category 5;
(b) Be provided by the organization providing the education activity; and
(c) Contain at least the following information:
(i) Date of attendance or completion;
(ii) Hours earned; and
(iii) Course title or subject.
(4) A licensed optometrist may alternatively meet the continuing education requirements of this section by providing proof that the licensee:
(a) Holds a current certification by the American Board of Optometry or other certification program deemed substantially equivalent to American Board of Medical Specialties' programs; or
(b) Is practicing solely outside of Washington state and meets the continuing education requirements of the state or territory in which the licensee practices.
(5) Nothing in this section exempts a licensed optometrist from the education and training requirements for:
(a) Suicide prevention in WAC 246-851-245; or
(b) Health equity in WAC 246-851-225.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070(2), 18.130.050, 18.130.175, and 18.130.186. WSR 23-22-068, § 246-851-090, filed 10/25/23, effective 11/25/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070(2). WSR 15-24-119, § 246-851-090, filed 12/1/15, effective 1/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 98-05-060, § 246-851-090, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070(2). WSR 97-12-088, § 246-851-090, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070. WSR 92-06-030 (Order 248B), § 246-851-090, filed 2/26/92, effective 3/28/92; WSR 91-06-025 (Order 119B), recodified as § 246-851-090, filed 2/26/91, effective 3/29/91; WSR 88-07-047 (Order PM 710), § 308-53-100, filed 3/11/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070(5). WSR 80-01-088 (Order PL 326), § 308-53-100, filed 12/28/79; Order PL 239, § 308-53-100, filed 3/3/76.]