Facts at a Glance

• To meet accreditation standards, the CPC is implementing notable changes to its current certification renewal and education acceptance policies.
• Continuing education offered by state optometric and paraoptometric associations and affiliates may still qualify for approved credit hours for certified paraoptometric staff. Presentations and speaker qualifications must meet the CPC’s criteria in order to be approved.
• CPC approval of education courses is designed to insure that:
  
  
  • The courses are pertinent to the profession of optometric assisting/technology
  • The courses are presented by qualified and knowledgeable speakers
  • The courses meet standards that are expected by the optometric profession
  • Quality continuing education opportunities are available to certified paraoptometrics
• Review of education offered by AOA optometric and paraoptometric affiliates is complimentary. Fifty minutes of education is considered one hour of credit. Review and approval do not indicate sponsorship of any AOA or CPC programs.
• Requests for review must be submitted to the CPC at least eight (8) weeks in advance of the education presentation. Incomplete applications will be returned without review.
• Once a course is approved by the CPC Education Review Committee, it will be assigned a unique course identification number, based in part on the domain.
• A standardized CE form must be provided to participants who attend CPC approved education in order to insure credit toward certification renewal. These forms will be available from the CPC free of charge for presentations offered by December 31, 2010. Beginning January 1, 2011, a small fee will be charged for the CE forms plus shipping costs. Education providers must contact the CPC to order forms.
• Approval may not be awarded retroactively.