LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

BOARD OF OPTOMETRY - GENERAL RULES

(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory

affairs by sections 16145, 16148, 16174, 16287, and 17431 of the public health code,

1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16174, 333.16287, and 333.17431 and

Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-4, MCL

338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)

PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

R 338.301 Definitions.

Rule 1. As used in these rules:

(a) “Adverse drug reaction" means an adverse physical or psychological reaction that

is experienced by a person resulting from diagnostic therapeutic agents administered by

an optometrist and that occurs within 24 hours after the drug is administered. An adverse

drug reaction may be indicated by symptoms that include any of the following:

(i) Red eye.

(ii) Painful eye.

(iii) Decrease in vision.

(iv) Pale or red swelling of the periocular or periorbital tissues.

(v) Nausea.

(vi) Vomiting.

(vii) Fainting.

(viii) Mental confusion.

(ix) Cessation of respiration.

(b) "Board" means the Michigan board of optometry.

(c) "Classroom hour," for the purpose of determining whether a course of study meets

the requirements of section 17412(2)(a) or 17435(2)(b) of the code, MCL

333.17412(2)(a) or MCL 333.17435(2)(b), means a 50 to 60 minute period of lecture,

group discussion, or laboratory directly associated with a course in pharmacology. Time

spent working in a clinic other than as part of a laboratory directly associated with a

course in pharmacology does not qualify as a “classroom hour.”

(d) “Code" means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211

(e) "Course of study in general and clinical pharmacology" means a course of study

that is completed in a board-approved school or college, in general and clinical

pharmacology as it relates to optometry, with the characteristics described in section

17412(2)(a) of the code, MCL 333.17412(2)(a). Not less than 30 of the 60 classroom

hours of the course of study must be allocated to ocular pharmacology and must

emphasize the systemic effects of, and reactions to, topical ocular diagnostic

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Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

pharmaceutical agents, including the emergency management and referral of any adverse

reactions that may occur.

(f) "Course of study relating to the didactic and clinical use of therapeutic

pharmaceutical agents" means a course of study that is comprised of a minimum of 10

quarter hours or 7 semester hours of credit or 100 classroom hours of study, is completed

in a board-approved school or college and is in subjects relating to the didactic and

clinical use of therapeutic pharmaceutical agents related to optometry.

(g) "Department" means the Michigan department of licensing and regulatory affairs.

(h) “Established patient” means a person who has received a professional service from

a provider within the optometrist’s practice group within the preceding 3 years and 1 day

of the last professional service received.

(i) "Examination and evaluation,” means that term as defined in section 5553 of the

code, MCL 333.5553.

(j) “Informed consent for an established patient” means consent by a patient or his or

her legal representative for treatment, medication, or services after there has been full

disclosure of the facts needed for a patient or his or her legal representative to make a

voluntary decision based on the elements of knowledge, comprehension, and willingness

to receive the treatment, medication, or service.

(k) “Informed consent for a new patient” means a written agreement or documentation

of a verbal agreement by a patient or his or her legal representative for treatment,

medication, or services after there has been full disclosure of the facts needed for a

patient or his or her legal representative to make a voluntary decision based on the

elements of knowledge, comprehension, and willingness to receive the treatment,

medication, or service.

(l) “New patient” means a patient who has not received a professional service from a

provider in the optometrist’s practice group within the preceding 3 years and 1 day of the

last professional service received.

(m)“Telehealth,” means that term as defined in section 16283 of the code, MCL

333.16283.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.302 Opioid and other controlled substances awareness training for

prescribers and dispensers of controlled substances.

Rule 2. An individual who applies for a controlled substance license or who is licensed

to prescribe or dispense controlled substances shall complete training in opioid and

controlled substances awareness as prescribed in R 338.3135.

History: 2019 AACS.

R 338.303 Training standards for identifying victims of human trafficking;

requirements.

Rule 3. (1) Pursuant to section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148, an individual who is

licensed or seeking licensure shall complete training in identifying victims of human

trafficking that meets the following standards:

(a) Training content that covers all of the following:

(i) Understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in this state or the

United States.

(ii) Identifying victims of human trafficking in health care settings.

(iii) Identifying the warning signs of human trafficking in health care settings for

adults and minors.

(iv) Identifying resources for reporting the suspected victims of human trafficking.

(b) Acceptable providers or methods of training include any of the following:

(i) Training offered by a nationally recognized or state recognized health-related

organization.

(ii) Training offered by, or in conjunction with, a state or federal agency.

(iii) Training obtained in an educational program that has been approved by the board

for initial licensure, or by a college or university.

(iv) Reading an article related to the identification of victims of human trafficking

that meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subrule and is published in a peer

review journal, health care journal, or professional or scientific journal.

(c) Acceptable modalities of training may include any of the following:

(i) Teleconference or webinar.

(ii) Online presentation.

(iii) Live presentation.

(iv) Printed or electronic media.

(2) The department may select and audit a sample of individuals and request

documentation of proof of completion of training. If audited by the department, an

individual shall provide an acceptable proof of completion of training, including either of

the following:

(a) Proof of completion certificate issued by the training provider that includes the

date, provider name, name of training, and individual’s name.

(b) A self-certification statement by an individual. The certification statement shall

include the individual’s name and either of the following:

(i) For training completed pursuant to subrule (1)(b)(i) to (iii) of this rule, the date,

training provider name, and name of training.

(ii) For training completed pursuant to subrule (1)(b)(iv) of this rule, the title of

article, author, publication name of peer review journal, health care journal, or

professional or scientific journal, and date, volume, and issue of publication, as

applicable.

(3) Pursuant to section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148, the requirements specified

in subrule (1) of this rule apply for license renewals beginning with the 2019 renewal

cycle and for an initial license issued on or after December 21, 2021.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.304 Minimum English language standard.

Rule 4. (1) Pursuant to section 16174(1)(d) of the code, MCL 333.16174(1)(d) an

applicant who applies for initial licensure shall demonstrate a working knowledge of the

English language if his or her educational or training program was taught outside the

United States, unless exempted under subrule (3) of this rule.

(2) To demonstrate a working knowledge of the English language, an applicant shall

submit proof that he or she obtained a total score of not less than 84 on the test of English

as a foreign language internet-based test (TOEFL-IBT) administered by the Educational

Testing Service and obtained the following scores:

(a) A score of 21 for the speaking section of the test.

(b) A score of 21 for the writing section of the test.

(c) A score of 21 for the listening section of the test.

(d) A score of 21 for the reading section of the test.

(3) If an applicant’s educational or training program was taught in English within one

or more of the following countries, he or she is exempted from the requirements of

subrule (1) of this rule:

(a) Canada, except Quebec.

(b) England.

(c) Ireland.

(d) New Zealand.

(e) Australia.

History: 2019 AACS.

R 338.305 Professional optometric degree program; approval standards.

Rule 5. (1) The board approves and adopts by reference the standards of the

Accreditation Council on Optometric Education set forth in the publication entitled

"Accreditation Manual: Professional Optometric Degree Programs" dated August 2014,

and revised July 1, 2017, which provide for the accreditation of professional optometric

degree programs.

(2) A professional optometric degree program accredited by the Accreditation Council

on Optometric Education is considered approved by the board.

(3) Copies of the Accreditation Manual of the Accreditation Council on Optometric

Education are available free of charge from the American Optometric Association, 243

N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141 or from the association's website at

http://www.aoa.org. Printed copies also are available for inspection and distribution at

cost from the Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory

Affairs, Ottawa Building, 611 W. Ottawa, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.306 Telehealth services; requirements.

Rule 6. (1) An optometrist who provides telehealth services shall obtain informed

consent for an established patient or informed consent for a new patient before providing

a telehealth service pursuant to section 16284 of the code, MCL 333.16284.

(2) An optometrist who provides a telehealth service shall maintain evidence of the

informed consent in the patient record and shall retain evidence of the informed consent

in compliance with section 16213 of the code, MCL 333.16213.

(3) An optometrist who provides a telehealth service shall comply with section 16285

of the code, MCL 333.16285.

(4) An optometrist providing a telehealth service may prescribe a drug if the optometrist

is a prescriber acting within the scope of his or her practice and in compliance with

section 16285 the code, MCL 333.16285, if he or she does both of the following:

(a) If medically necessary, refers the patient to a provider that is geographically

accessible to the patient.

(b) Makes himself or herself available to provide follow up care services to the patient

or to refer the patient to another provider for follow up care.

(5) An optometrist may provide a telehealth service only when he or she complies with

all of the following:

(a) Part 174 of the code, MCL 333.17401 to 333.17437.

(b) The eye care consumer protection law, part 55A of the code, MCL 333.5551 to

333.5571, including the duty to perform an examination and evaluation, pursuant to

sections 5551 to 5559 of the code, MCL 333.5551 to 333.5559.

(6) An optometrist who provides a telehealth service shall exercise the same standard of

care applicable to a traditional, face-to-face health care service, including any necessary

face-to-face appointments with a patient to assess, reassess, and update the patient’s

medical condition and the effectiveness of treatment modalities.

History: 2019 AACS.

PART 2. LICENSES

R 338.307 Licensure by examination.

Rule 7. (1) An applicant for a Michigan optometry license by examination shall

submit a completed application on forms provided by the department, together with the

requisite fee. In addition to meeting the requirements under sections 16174 and 17411 of

the code, MCL 333.16174 and MCL 333.17411, an applicant shall satisfy the

requirements of this rule.

(2) An applicant shall have graduated from a professional optometric degree program

approved by the board, pursuant to R 338.305, and hold the doctor of optometry degree.

(3) An applicant shall have achieved a passing score on parts I, II, and III of the

National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations, including a passing

score on the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) examination

imbedded in part II and is given by the NBEO or its successor organization.

(4) An applicant shall have achieved a minimum scaled score of 75 on the

examination of state laws and rules related to the practice of optometry that is developed

and administered by the department, or an entity approved by the department.

History: 2016 AACS.

R 338.309 Licensure by endorsement.

Rule 9. (1) An applicant for a Michigan optometry license by endorsement shall submit

a completed application on forms provided by the department, together with the requisite

fee. In addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative rules

promulgated under the code, an applicant shall have graduated from a professional

optometric degree program approved by the board, pursuant to R 338.305, and satisfy the

requirements of this rule.

(2) An applicant shall be an optometrist who is engaged in the practice of optometry,

holds a doctor of optometry degree, and is currently licensed at the highest level

authorized in another state of the United States or province of Canada that has licensure

requirements that are equivalent to those required in this state, as determined by the

board. This subrule does not grant license authority that exceeds the level of privileges

granted to individuals who are licensed under the code to engage in the practice of

optometry.

(3) An applicant shall have achieved a passing score on parts I, II, and III of the NBEO

examinations, including a passing score on the TMOD examination, in a state of the

United States or province of Canada for his or her initial licensure.

(4) An applicant who was first licensed in another state of the United States or province

of Canada is presumed to have met the requirements of section 16186(1)(a) and (b) of the

code, MCL 333.16186(1)(a) and (b), if he or she meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Provides verification of his or her license by the licensing agency of another state

of the United States or province of Canada in which the applicant holds a current license

or ever held a license as an optometrist, which includes, but is not limited to, showing

proof of any disciplinary action taken or pending disciplinary action imposed upon the

applicant.

(b) Achieves a minimum scaled score of 75 on the examination of Michigan laws and

rules related to the practice of optometry that is developed and administered by the

department, or an entity approved by the department.

(5) An applicant shall hold a license granting therapeutic prescriptive certification at the

highest level authorized in the state of the United States or province of Canada where he

or she currently practices.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.311 Limited licenses.

Rule 11. (1) The board may issue an educational limited license, pursuant to section

16182(2)(a) of the code, MCL 333.16182(2)(a), to an individual who has graduated from

a board-approved professional optometric degree program, or who will graduate from the

program not more than 3 months after applying for an educational limited license, and

who is enrolled in a postgraduate course of study or participates in a residency program

that is offered by the United States department of veterans affairs or a board-approved

institution.

(2) The board may issue a clinical academic limited license, pursuant to section

16182(2)(c) of the code, MCL 333.16182(2)(c), to an individual who is a graduate of a

board-approved professional optometric degree program and who is employed as a

faculty member at a board-approved professional optometric degree program. An

optometrist who is licensed under this subrule may perform procedures upon patients

while employed as a faculty member at a board-approved professional optometric degree

program, if these procedures are performed under the general supervision of a faculty

member who is fully licensed as an optometrist. An individual who is licensed under this

subrule shall not do either of the following:

(a) Hold himself or herself out to the public as being engaged in the practice of

optometry other than as a faculty member.

(b) Provide optometric services outside of his or her employment as a faculty

member.

(3) An individual who applies for a limited license under section 16182(2)(a) or (c) of

the code, MCL 333.16182(2)(a) or (c), shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Comply with section 16174 of the code, MCL 333.16174.

(b) Submit proof of graduation from an accredited professional optometric degree

program that is approved by the board or from a non-accredited professional optometric

degree program that is approved by the board, pursuant to R 338.305.

(c) Submit proof of appointment to either of the following:

(i) A postgraduate course of study or a residency program, pursuant to subrule (1) of

this rule.

(ii) A faculty position at a board-approved professional optometric degree program,

pursuant to subrule (2) of this rule.

(4) Limited licenses, pursuant to subrules (1) and (2) of this rule, may be renewed

annually at the discretion of the board.

(5) Applicants for renewal of a clinical academic limited license shall submit

evidence of having completed 10 hours of board-approved continuing education in

pharmacological management of ocular conditions required for the year.

History: 2016 AACS.

R 338.313 Relicensure.

Rule 13. An applicant whose Michigan license has lapsed, under the provisions of

section 16201(3) or (4) of the code, MCL 333.16201(3) or (4), as applicable, may be

relicensed by complying with the following requirements as noted by (√):

Lapsed

3 Lapsed more than Lapsed 6 years or

years or less. 3 years, but less more.

than 6 years.

(1) Application and fee:

submit completed

application on a form

provided by the

a

√

department, together with

the required fee.

(2) Good moral character:

establish that he or she is

of good moral character

as defined under 1974 PA

381, MCL 338.41 to

MCL 338.47.

(3) Fingerprints:

submit

fingerprints as required

under section 16174(3) of

√

the

code,

MCL

333.16174(3).

(4) Continuing

education:

submit proof of having

completed 40 hours of

continuing education as

√

required

338.321,

under

which

R

was

earned within the 2-year

period immediately

preceding the date of

relicensure, subject to

both of the following:

(a) At least 2 of the 40

hours

education must be in pain

and symptom

of

continuing

management, as provided

under R 338.321(3).

(b)

administer

If certified to

therapeutic

pharmaceutical agents, at

least 20 of the 40 hours of

continuing

must

education

in

be

pharmacological

management of ocular

conditions, as provided in

R 338.321(2).

(5) Examination: achieve a

minimum scaled score of

75 on the examination of

Michigan laws and rules

related to the practice of

√

optometry

developed

administered

that

is

and

the

by

department, or an entity

approved

by

the

department.

(6) Examination: achieve a

passing score on parts I,

√

II, and III of the NBEO

examination, including a

passing score on the

Continued Professional

Development

Optometry

in

(CPDO)

examination given by

NBEO or its successor

organization, unless he or

she holds a current, valid,

unrestricted license in

another state or

province of Canada.

a

(7) Proof

of

license

verification from another

state or province of

Canada: An applicant’s

license shall be verified

by the licensing agency of

each state of the United

States or province of

Canada in which the

applicant holds or has

ever held a license as an

optometrist.

√

Verification must include

the record of any

disciplinary action taken

or pending against the

applicant.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.315 Certification to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical

agents; application; qualifications; adoption of standards; prohibitions.

Rule 15. (1) An applicant for certification to administer a topical ocular diagnostic

pharmaceutical agent in the practice of optometry shall submit a completed application,

on a form provided by the department, together with the requisite fee. In addition to

meeting the other requirements of the code and the rules promulgated pursuant to the

code, an applicant shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(a) Successfully complete a course of study in general and clinical pharmacology.

The applicant shall be considered to have successfully completed the required course of

study upon being granted the credit hours designated for the course of study by the

teaching institution where the course is offered.

(b) Establish a board-approved emergency treatment plan, pursuant to section

17412(2)(d) of the code, MCL 333.17412(2)(d), for the management and referral of

patients who experience any adverse drug reaction.

(c) Successfully complete a course in basic life support that is offered by an

organization or institution approved by the board, pursuant to section 17412(2)(c) of the

code, MCL 333.17412(2)(c). The board approves and adopts by reference the standards

for credentialing in basic and advanced life support by the American Heart Association in

the Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care for

Professional Providers set forth in the "2015 American Heart Association (AHA)

Guidelines for CPR and ECC" that was published in the AHA journal "Circulation",

volume 132, issue 18 supplement 2, November 3, 2015. A copy of the guidelines may be

obtained at no cost from the American Heart Association's website at

https://circ.ahajournals.org/content/132/18_suppl_2.toc . A copy of the guidelines is

available for inspection and distribution to the public at cost from the Department of

Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Ottawa Building, 611 W. Ottawa, P.O. Box 30670,

Lansing, MI 48909.

(2) A licensed optometrist shall not use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents in the

practice of optometry unless the optometrist has been certified by the board as being

qualified to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents.

History: 2016 AACS.

R 338.317 Certification to administer and prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical

agents; application; qualifications.

Rule 17. (1) An applicant for certification to administer and prescribe a therapeutic

pharmaceutical agent in the practice of optometry shall submit a completed application,

on a form provided by the department, together with the requisite fee. In addition to

meeting the other requirements of the code and the rules promulgated pursuant to the

code, an applicant shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(a) Meet the certification requirements to administer diagnostic pharmaceutical agents

under R 338.315.

(b) Successfully complete a course of study relating to the didactic and clinical use of

therapeutic pharmaceutical agents.

(c) Establish a board-approved management plan that is in compliance with section

17435(2)(c) of the code, MCL 333.17435(2)(c).

(2) A licensed optometrist shall not administer or prescribe therapeutic

pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry unless the optometrist has been

certified by the board as being qualified to administer and prescribe therapeutic

pharmaceutical agents.

History: 2016 AACS.

PART 3. CONTINUING EDUCATION

R 338.319 Adoption of standards and criteria by reference; board approval by

application.

Rule 19. (1) The board approves and adopts by reference the standards and criteria of

the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) that are set forth in the

publication entitled "Criteria for COPE Qualification of Continuing Education," revised

July 2015. A copy of the publication may be obtained at no cost from the Association of

Regulatory Boards of Optometry, 200 South College St., Suite 2030 Charlotte, NC

28202, or from the council's website at http://www.arbo.org. Printed copies also are

available for inspection and distribution at cost from the Bureau of Professional

Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Ottawa Building, 611 W.

Ottawa, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.

(2) A continuing education program that has been accredited by COPE is considered

approved by the board.

(3) A continuing education program that is not accredited by COPE or approved as

provided in R 338.320 may apply for board approval by submitting an application to the

department. The application must be received not less than 90 days before the program

presentation. The application must be reviewed by the board’s continuing education

subcommittee. After review and recommendation of the program by the board’s

continuing education subcommittee, approval of the continuing education program may

be granted after a vote of the full board.

(4) Applications for approval of a continuing education program must include all the

following:

(a) The sponsor’s name.

(b) The sponsor’s address.

(c) The program name.

(d) The program date.

(e) The program location.

(f) The program outline, including all of the following:

(i) An explanation of how the program is designed to further educate the licensee

through acquisition and application of knowledge which results in improved patient

outcomes.

(ii) The topics and the name of the speaker of each topic.

(iii) The times of the specific topics and breaks included in the program.

(g) The résumé of each speaker or instructor for the program.

(h) A description of the delivery method, or methods to be used, and the techniques

that will be employed to assure active participation.

(i) A brief description of the sponsoring organization.

(j) The name, title, and address of the program director and a description of his or her

qualifications to direct the program.

(k) A description of how participants will be notified that continuing education credit

has been earned.

(l) A description of the physical facilities or laboratory available to assure a proper

learning environment.

(m) A description of how attendance is monitored and the name of the person

monitoring attendance.

(n) The number of hours of course instruction including all of the following:

(i) The number of hours related to clinical optometry, which may include any of the

following COPE categories:

(A) Contact lenses (CL).

(B) Functional vision/pediatrics (FV).

(C) General optometry (GO).

(D) Low vision/vision impairment & rehabilitation (LV).

(E) Public health (PB).

(ii) The number of hours related to practice management, which may include the

following COPE categories:

(A) Practice management (PM).

(B) Ethics/jurisprudence (EJ).

(iii) The number of hours related to pharmaceutical management, which may include

any of the following COPE categories:

(A) Glaucoma (GL).

(B) Injection skills (IS).

(C) Laser procedures (LP).

(D) Peri-operative management of ophthalmic surgery (PO).

(E) Refractive surgery management (RS).

(F) Surgery procedures (SP).

(G) Treatment and management of ocular disease: anterior segment (AS).

(H) Treatment and management of ocular disease: posterior segment (PS).

(I) Neuro-optometry (NO).

(J) Oral pharmaceuticals (OP).

(K) Pharmacology (PH).

(L) Principles of diagnosis (PD).

(M) Systemic/ocular disease (SD).

(iv) The number of hours related to pain management, which may include any of the

following COPE categories:

(A) Oral pharmaceuticals (OP).

(B) Pharmacology (PH).

(C) Treatment and management of ocular disease: anterior segment (AS).

(D) Treatment and management of ocular disease: posterior segment (PS).

(E) Functional vision/pediatrics (FV).

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.320 Approved continuing education; limitations; documentation

Rule 20. The board approves all of the following as continuing education if the subject

matter falls within an approved COPE category as listed in R 338.319(4)(n):

Activity and Proof of Completion

Number of Continuing Education Hours

Granted or Permitted for Activity

(1)

Successful completion of a course or Ten hours of continuing education may be

courses offered for credit by an accredited earned for each academic quarter credit hour

optometry school or college approved by earned.

the board under R 338.305.

Fifteen hours of continuing education may be

If audited, a licensee shall submit an earned for each academic semester credit

official transcript documenting successful hour earned. Hours may be earned without

completion of the course.

limitation.

(2)

Successful completion of a continuing One continuing education hour may be

education program offered by an granted for each 50 to 60 minutes of program

accredited optometry school or college attendance, without limitation.

approved by the board under R 338.319.

If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy

of a letter or certificate of completion

showing the licensee’s name, number of

credits earned, sponsor name or the name

of the organization that approved the

program or activity for continuing

education credit, and the date or dates on

which the program was held or activity

completed.

(3)

Attendance at a continuing education One continuing education hour may be

program related to the practice of granted for each 50 to 60 minutes of program

optometry offered by an educational attendance, without limitation.

program approved by the board under R

338.319(3) or approved by another state

board of optometry.

If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy

of a letter or certificate of completion

showing the licensee’s name, number of

credits earned, sponsor name or the name

of the organization that approved the

program or activity for continuing

education credit, and the date or dates on

which the program was held or activity

completed.

(4)

(5)

Initial presentation of or at a continuing One continuing education in the appropriate

education program approved by the board. COPE category may be granted for each 50

to 60 minutes of program presentation,

If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter without limitation.

from the program’s sponsor, verifying the

licensee’s presentation of educational

materials and lecture at the continuing

education program.

Attendance at a continuing education One continuing education hour in clinical

program related to optometric topics optometry may be granted for each 50 to 60

approved for category 1 continuing minutes of program attendance, limited to 8

education by the Michigan board of hours per renewal cycle.

medicine or the Michigan board of

osteopathic medicine and surgery.

If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy

of a letter or certificate of completion

showing the licensee’s name, number of

credits earned, sponsor name or the name

of the organization that approved the

program or activity for continuing

education credit, and the date or dates on

which the program was held or activity

completed.

(6)

Attendance at a continuing education One continuing education hour in

program

optometric pharmacological management may be

pharmacological topics approved for granted for each 50 to 60 minutes of program

continuing education by the Michigan attendance, limited to 8 hours per renewal

board of pharmacy.

period. Applicants for renewal who hold

certification to administer topical ocular

If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy diagnostic

pharmaceutical

agents

or

of a letter or certificate of completion certification to administer and prescribe

showing the licensee’s name, number of therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, or both,

credits earned, sponsor name or the name may earn hours without limitation.

of the organization that approved the

program or activity for continuing

education credit, and the date or dates on

which the program was held or activity

completed.

(7)

Initial presentation of a scientific exhibit, Two hours of continuing education in clinical

poster, or paper to a professional optometry shall be granted for each

optometric organization.

presentation. No additional credit shall be

granted for preparation of the presentation.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy

of the document presented with evidence

of presentation or a letter from the

program sponsor verifying the date of the

presentation.

(8)

Initial publication of either of the Six hours of continuing education in clinical

following:

optometry shall be granted for serving as the

primary author. Three hours of continuing

(a) A scientific article relating to the education in clinical optometry shall be

practice of optometry in a peer-reviewed granted for serving as a secondary author.

journal or periodical.

(b) A chapter or a portion of a chapter

related to the practice of optometry in

either a professional health care textbook

or peer-reviewed textbook.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a copy

of the publication that identifies the

licensee as the author or a publication

acceptance letter and documentation of

the peer-review process.

(9)

Participating on either of the following:

Six hours of continuing education in clinical

optometry shall be granted for participating

(a) A peer review committee dealing on a committee. A maximum of 6 hours of

with quality of patient care as it relates to continuing education may be earned for this

the practice of optometry.

activity in each renewal period.

(b) A national or state committee, board,

council, or association related to the

practice of optometry.

Participation on a committee, board,

council or association is considered

acceptable by the board if it enhances the

participant’s

knowledge

and

understanding of the field of optometry.

If audited, the licensee shall submit a

letter from an organization official

verifying the licensee’s participation in at

least 50% of the regularly scheduled

meetings of the committee, board, council

or association.

(10) Taking and passing any nationally Every 2 years, 12 hours of continuing

recognized

examination in optometry.

advanced

competency education in pharmacology management or

clinical optometry shall be granted.

History: 2019 AACS.

R 338.321 License renewal; continuing education, requirements, limitations.

Rule 21. (1) An applicant for license renewal shall accumulate not less than 40

continuing education hours approved by the board pursuant to R 338.319 or R 338.320

during the 2 years immediately preceding the expiration date of the license.

(2) An applicant for license renewal who holds certification to administer topical ocular

diagnostic pharmaceutical agents or certification to administer and prescribe therapeutic

pharmaceutical agents, or both, shall accumulate not less than 20 hours of board-

approved continuing education in pharmacological management of ocular conditions.

The 20 required hours are part of, and not in addition to, the 40 hours required in subrule

(1) of this rule. A continuing education program that falls within the COPE categories

listed in R 338.319(4)(n)(iii)(A) to (M) meets the requirements of this subrule.

(3) An applicant for license renewal shall accumulate not less than 2 hours of board

approved continuing education in pain and symptom management related to the practice

of optometry. A continuing education program that falls within the COPE categories

listed in R 338.319(4)(n)(iv)(A) to (E) meets the requirements of this subrule. Continuing

education hours in pain and symptom management, as they relate to the practice of

optometry, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Ethics and health policy related to pain.

(b) Pain definitions.

(c) Basic sciences related to pain, including pharmacology, psychology, sociology, and

anthropology.

(d) Clinical sciences related to pain, including specific pain conditions and pain in

special contexts and settings.

(e) Clinician-patient communications related to pain.

(f) Management of pain, including evaluation and treatment; non-pharmacological and

pharmacological management.

(g) Ensuring quality pain care.

(h) Michigan programs and resources relevant to pain.

(4) A minimum of 20 of the required continuing education hours must be completed in a

face-to-face real-time learning format. The remaining hours may be completed in any

other format including but not limited to self-evaluation journal tests, multimedia

education, real time webinars, video conferencing, webcasts, and podcasts.

(5) An applicant for license renewal may earn a maximum of 9 continuing education

hours per licensure cycle in practice management. A continuing education program that

falls within the COPE categories listed in R 338.319(4)(n)(ii)(A) and (B) meets the

requirements of this subrule.

(6) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant's certificate of

compliance with the requirements of this rule. An optometrist shall retain documentation

of meeting the requirements of this rule for a period of 4 years from the date of applying

for license renewal. The board may require an applicant or licensee to submit evidence to

demonstrate compliance with this rule. Failure to comply with this rule is a violation of

section 16221(h) of the code, MCL 333.16221(h).

(7) A request for a waiver under section 16205 of the code, MCL 333.16205, must be

received by the department before the expiration date of the license.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.

R 338.323 Rescinded.

History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS.