N.J. Admin. Code § 13:33-6.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:33-6.1 - Continuing education requirements

(a) An ophthalmic dispenser shall indicate on the license renewal form that he or she has completed the continuing education requirements as outlined in (b) below. Ophthalmic dispensers applying for their first biennial renewal are exempt from this mandatory continuing education requirement.

(b) Each ophthalmic dispenser licensed by the Board shall successfully complete 12 credits per biennial period of approved continuing education course work as set forth in (c), (d), and (e) below. One credit shall equal one hour of attendance at an approved course. Two credits may be carried over into a succeeding biennial period only if earned during the last six months of the preceding biennial period.

(c) The 12 credits required under (b) above shall consist of:

1. Two credits in statutes and rules governing the practice of ophthalmic dispensing;

2. At least five credits in topics relevant to the practice of ophthalmic dispensing; and

3. At least three credits in dispensing of contact lenses in compliance with N.J.A.C. 13:33-6.2.

(d) No more than two of the 12 credits required under (b) above may be in topics related to management, sales, or marketing.

(e) An ophthalmic dispenser applying for his or her first biennial renewal shall have completed one credit of continuing education on blood borne pathogens, which includes information on how blood borne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure to blood borne pathogens, and what to do if exposed to blood borne pathogens.

(f) During the biennial renewal period beginning on January 1, 2021, every ophthalmic dispenser shall complete one credit of continuing education on blood borne pathogens, which includes information on how blood borne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure to blood borne pathogens, and what to do if exposed to blood borne pathogens.

(g) The ophthalmic dispenser shall maintain sponsor verifications that he or she has completed the continuing education courses as part of his or her records for a period of four years. The Board may request a review of an ophthalmic dispenser's continuing education records at any time. Any ophthalmic dispenser who is unable to verify that he or she has completed the continuing education requirements shall be subject to disciplinary action.

(h) Falsification of sponsor verifications shall be deemed professional misconduct.

(i) The Board may waive the requirements of this section on an individual basis in cases of certified illness or undue hardship.

(j) The Board shall approve only such continuing educational programs as are available on a reasonable nondiscriminatory basis to all persons practicing ophthalmic dispensing in the State. The Board shall maintain a list of all approved courses and lecturers at the Board offices and shall furnish this information to licensees upon request. Courses to be approved for the continuing education requirement shall be in areas of ophthalmic science, study related to the human eye and its care, or such other areas of opticianry education as the Board shall designate. Speakers, lecturers and others participating in the presentation of programs shall be recognized as possessing requisite qualifications and being of recognized repute in their area of instruction.

(k) Any person desiring approval as a sponsor of a continuing education course, seminar, or program shall:

1. Complete and submit the written application form provided by the Board and submit the continuing education sponsor fee pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:33-8.8(a)11. The application form shall provide the following:

i. The name and address of sponsoring organization and the name of individual filing application;

ii. The title and a complete description of course offering;

iii. The date, time (beginning and end) and place of course offering;

iv. Curriculum vitae of each speaker; and

v. The mechanism to be used to assess program value.

2. Secure Board approval prior to offering any continuing education course, seminar or program and prior to representing that any course, seminar or program fulfills the requirements of this section;

3. Notify all licensees of the time, place and date of the course being offered; and

4. Monitor the attendance at each approved course, furnish to each enrollee a verification of attendance, and maintain records of attendance for at least six years from the date of the course.

(I) An ophthalmic dispenser on inactive status who seeks to return to active status shall submit proof to the Board of successful completion of 12 credits of approved continuing education course work, a minimum of three of which shall be in the dispensing of contact lenses, for each biennial period of approved inactive status.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:33-6.1

Amended by 52 N.J.R. 1434(a), effective 7/20/2020