(a) Education for an advanced degree in optometric field or optometrically related field. One-hour credit will be given for each semester hour earned, and a total of 16 credit hours will be allowed for each full academic year of study.

(b) Research in lieu of training. Credit will be given only for full-time research. Sixteen credit hours will be given for each full year of research.

(c) Teaching. One credit hour is allowed for each education hour of teaching of board-approved continuing education courses.

(d) Continuing education courses. See §275.1(b) of this title (relating to General Requirements).

(e) Clinical rotations or rounds. One hour of continuing education credit will be given for each two clock hours spent on clinical rounds, for a maximum of four hours per calendar year. Beginning with the 2023 license renewal, credit will be given for a maximum of eight hours of clinical rotations or rounds hours taken during the two-year period preceding license renewal. Sponsoring organizations and universities must submit information regarding scheduled rounds and certify to the board at least on a quarterly basis the number of continuing education hours obtained.

(f) Credit will be given for a maximum of eight hours of the combined total of correspondence course hours and on-line computer course hours per calendar year. Beginning with the 2023 license renewal, credit will be given for a maximum of 16 hours of the combined total of correspondence course hours and on-line computer course hours taken during the two-year period preceding license renewal. On-line computer courses are those courses described in §275.1(b)(8) of this title. Correspondence courses must be sponsored and graded by accredited optometry colleges.

(g) Requirements for renewal of license imposed by other state law. A licensee that fails to timely meet these requirements may not renew the license.

(1) Two-hour controlled substances prescribing course. Section 481.07635 of the Health and Safety Code requires each active optometric glaucoma specialist licensed prior to September 1, 2020, to complete two hours of continuing education related to approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances on or before September 1, 2021. Each active optometric glaucoma specialist licensed after September 1, 2020, must complete the continuing education required by this subsection within one year of the initial optometric glaucoma specialist license date. Licensees will receive two credit hours upon submission of written proof of completion of the approved course. This is a one-time education requirement. The taking of board-approved courses described in this subsection in subsequent years may satisfy the professional responsibility requirement of §275.1(b) of this title.

(2) One-hour opioid prescribing course. To renew a license for 2021 and subsequent years, §481.0764 of the Health and Safety Code requires all active licensees who prescribe or dispense opioids to take each year a one-hour board-approved continuing education course covering best practices, alternative treatment options, and multi-modal approaches to pain management that may include physical therapy, psychotherapy, and other treatments. Licensees will receive one credit hour upon submission of written proof of completion of the approved course.

(3) One-hour human trafficking course. Not later than January 1, 2021, all active licensees who provide direct patient care must submit proof of completion of a one-hour human trafficking course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission as required by §116.002 of the Occupations Code. Commencing effective January 1, 2022, all active licensees who provide direct patient care shall complete one-hour of human trafficking continuing education prior to each biennial renewal as required by §116.003 of the Occupations Code. The courses taken to satisfy the human trafficking requirement shall include information on identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and be approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Source Note: The provisions of this §275.2 adopted to be effective August 11, 1983, 8 TexReg 2934; amended to be effective March 4, 1985, 10 TexReg 631; amended to be effective August 5, 1985, 10 TexReg 2356; amended to be effective February 11, 1987, 12 TexReg 344; amended to be effective May 28, 1990, 15 TexReg 2756; amended to be effective June 2, 1992, 17 TexReg 3731; amended to be effective January 1, 1994, 18 TexReg 5745; amended to be effective May 17, 1996, 21 TexReg 3942; amended to be effective May 28, 1997, 22 TexReg 4362; amended to be effective March 28, 2002, 27 TexReg 2237; amended to be effective December 9, 2019, 44 TexReg 7543; amended to be effective July 19, 2020, 45 TexReg 4985;amended to be effective May 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 3393