03/07/2024

End of CE Calendar Cycle

December 31, 2024 ends the first term of the new two-year continuing education cycle (50 hours) needed for OH OD licensure. For reference, the ruling by the Ohio Vision Professional Board and the Ohio Revised Code Section 4725.16 is linked here: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4725.16: 

“Each certificate of licensure for the practice of optometry issued by the state vision professionals board shall expire on the last day of December of each even numbered year, and may be renewed in accordance with this section and the standard renewal procedure established under Chapter 4745. of the Revised Code.” 

“All licensed optometrists shall complete continuing education in subjects relating to the practice of optometry, to the end that the utilization and application of new techniques, scientific and clinical advances, and the achievements of research will assure comprehensive care to the public. The board shall prescribe by rule the continuing optometric education that licensed optometrists must complete. The length of study shall be fifty clock hours each biennial licensing period, including twenty clock hours of instruction in pharmacology to be completed by all licensed optometrists.” 

Education is limited to the following categories: 

• Pharmacology 20 hours (required)  
• Online 30 hours (maximum)  
• Grand Rounds/Surgery Observation 16 hours (maximum)  
• Volunteer Hours 16 hours (maximum)  
• Practice Management or Jurisprudence 4 hours (maximum) 

To read more about the requirements from the Ohio Vision Professionals Board, visit: https://vision.ohio.gov/vision-professionals/optometrist/4-optometrist  

The Ohio Optometric Association, The Ohio Optometric Foundation, and the EastWest Eye Conferences are excellent sources for CE credits.  Education received at any of the following events count towards your renewal: 

• EastWest Eye Conference 2022  
• EastWest Destinations Conference 2023 
• EastWest Eye Conference 2023 
• EastWest Destinations Conference 2024 
• EastWest Eye Conference 2024 (SAVE THE DATE – October 24-26, 2024) 
• Ohio Optometric Association Zone meetings from October 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024 
• Volunteering with Ohio Optometric Foundation events (iSee Programs)  
• On-line education provided by the Ohio Optometric Association and EastWest Eye Conference. 

Learn more about opportunities provided by the OOA by visiting our events page at: www.ooa.org/events. Contact Steve Dorman with the Ohio Optometric Foundation for volunteer opportunities by emailing sdorman@ooa.org.