Optometrists are now able to accumulate continuing professional development (CPD) points over two registration periods, and still meet the necessary registration requirements.
The Optometry Board of Australia (OBa) today announced it has amended its CPD policy to allow optometrists two registration periods to accumulate CPD points.
Optometrists renewing their registration in November will need to make a declaration that they have met the CPD requirements for the previous registration renewal period (since 1 December 2010) or that they have a plan in place to complete the two years’ requirements by the end of the next registration period (30 November 2012). This means optometrists must accumulate 80 points over no more than two registration periods starting from 1 December 2010.
This declaration will be subject to audit by the Board.
The Board wants to encourage a commitment to life-long learning within the profession and believes that the flexibility of accumulating the requirements over a two-year period will encourage this without compromising the protection of the public…
The Board recognises that prior to the introduction of the national registration scheme there was provision for optometrists to ‘roll over’ the annual CPD points across a two-year period in meeting the CPD requirements linked to membership of the Optometry Association of Australia.
The Board also recognises that many optometrists relied upon this provision as it provided them with increased flexibility in meeting the requirements and developing an appropriate personal CPD plan.
Mr. Colin Waldron, Chair of the OBA, said the Board had changed its policy on the advice of its Continuing Professional Development Accreditation Committee.
“Protection of the public has been at the forefront in developing the requirements of the Board’s registration standard on continuing professional development. The Board wants to encourage a commitment to life-long learning within the profession and believes that the flexibility of accumulating the requirements over a two-year period will encourage this without compromising the protection of the public,” said Mr Waldron.
The Board’s CPD policy published on the CPD section of the Board’s website.
For more information visit www.optometryboard.gov.au under Contact us to lodge an online enquiry form and for registration enquiries phone (AUS) 1300 419 495 02 (AUS) 03 8708 9001.
| mivision’s distance learning centre |
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Optometrist can now accumlate CPD points in many ways including mivision’s new online distance learning centre. mivision’s distance learning centre has already been used by almost 1000 optometrist sinces its launch eight weeks ago. It’s educational, convenient, online and best of all free. There are 3 modules currently available offering a total of 6 points, with more modules being added each month. Click here to log into mivision’s distance learning centre and start earning points.
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