This is a clone of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) for educational purposes. It is not the official version and should not be used for legal purposes. Site created Wed, 21 May 2025 21:16:42 GMT
(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) Clinical rotations or rounds. One hour of continuing education credit will be given for each two clock hours spent on clinical rounds. 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.(e) Requirements for renewal of license imposed by other state law.(1) One-hour opioid prescribing course. §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 (for a total of two hours during the renewal period). These courses will be counted toward the hours needed for the diagnosis or treatment of ocular disease.(2) One-hour human trafficking course. 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.