H.B. 256

VETOES

(2)     The fees charged shall be set so as to produce funds to approximate the
cost of maintaining the Board.

(3)     Funds to cover the compensation and expenses of the Board members
shall be generated by fees set under this section.

11-309.

(a)      In addition to any other qualifications and requirements established by the
Board, the Board shall establish continuing education requirements as a condition to the
renewal of licenses AND CERTIFICATES under this title.

(b)     (1) The continuing education required by the Board shall be in courses
approved by the Board.

(2)     The Board may not require a licensee NONTHERAPEUTICALLY
CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST to attend more than [25] 50 hours in any [license year]
LICENSING PERIOD, EXCEPT THAT A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST
SHALL ATTEND AT LEAST 6 ADDITIONAL HOURS OF INSTRUCTION IN
PHARMACOLOGY IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 11-404.1(C) OF THIS TITLE.

(3)      THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED
OPTOMETRIST TO ATTEND AT LEAST 50 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN A
LICENSING PERIOD.

(4)      (I) IN EACH LICENSING PERIOD. A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED
OPTOMETRIST SHALL ATTEND 30 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION ON THE USE
AND MANAGEMENT OF THERAPEUTIC PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS.

(II) THE 30 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIRED UNDER
SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE COUNTED TOWARD THE TOTAL
NUMBER OF REQUIRED HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN A LICENSING
PERIOD.

(c)      At the time a licensee applies for license renewal, the licensee shall submit to
the Board, on a form provided by the Board, a certification that the licensee has attended
the required courses.

(d)     The Board may refuse to renew the license of a licensee who has failed:

(1)     To attend the required courses; or

(2)     To submit certification of attendance at the required courses.

(e)     The Board may waive the continuing education requirements in cases of
illness or other undue hardship on the licensee.

(f)      The Board may use any funds allocated to it for continuing education as State
funds to match federal funds for providing continuing education.

11-402.

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