N.J. Admin. Code § 13:38-7.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:38-7.8 - Responsibilities of continuing education sponsors for courses/programs with three credits or less

(a) A continuing education sponsor seeking pre-approval for a course/program awarding three credits or less shall provide the Board, in writing on a form provided by the Board, information which demonstrates that the course meets the following requirements:

1. The course or program is offered in a subject matter and in a format permissible pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter;

2. The course or program is at least one instructional hour in length, but not more than three instructional hours in length; and

3. The course or program is conducted by an instructor or discussion leader who submits a curriculum vitae and meets one of the following criteria:

i. An optometrist with at least five years of experience in the lecture subject matter;

ii. An individual holding an O.D., M.D., Ph.D. or a substantially equivalent international degree who is either board certified or has special expertise in the lecture subject matter; or

iii. A licensed professional who has special expertise in the lecture subject matter.

(b) Applications for pre-approval of continuing professional optometric education courses or programs shall be submitted by the course or program sponsor on the form provided by the Board no less than 45 days prior to the date the course or program is to be offered. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the sponsor and may result in the failure to grant pre-approval of the course or program.

(c) The Board shall not grant post approval to a sponsor for a course or program; however, the Board may grant a licensee, upon audit, continuing professional optometric education credit for courses or programs which have not been pre-approved if the Board determines that the course or program has significant educational or practical content which deal with matters related to the practice of optometry or with the professional responsibilities or ethical obligations of licensees, such as those areas outlined in 13:38-7.4.

(d) The sponsor shall not make substantive changes to an approved course or program, such as a change in course content or instructor, without prior notice to and pre-approval by the Board.

(e) The sponsor shall monitor attendance at each approved course or program and furnish to each enrollee a verification of attendance, which shall include at least the following information:

1. The title, subject matter, if the title does not adequately describe the course content, name of instructor, date, and location of course or program;

2. The name and New Jersey State Board of Optometrists license number of each attendee;

3. The number of continuing education hours and credits awarded; and

4. The name of the sponsor and signature of officer or responsible party or other verification of successful completion by the course or program sponsor.

(f) Continuing education courses or programs shall be offered on a nondiscriminatory basis. Membership organizations may discount the cost of attending continuing professional optometric education courses or programs for dues-paying members provided the fee differential complies with 45:12-9.2.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:38-7.8