Continuing Education
California law requires that optometrists take and demonstrate that they met CE requirements upon renewal of their optometric license. AOA, COA and ACOE-accredited optometry schools and colleges are approved to provide CE.
CE Requirements
Licensed Optometrists (Non-TPA)
The law requires non-TPA licensed doctors of optometry to complete 40 hours of SBO-approved CE every two-year renewal period to renew their license as “Active” status.
TPA-Certified Licensed Optometrists
TPA-certified optometrists must obtain 50 hours of SBO approved CE every two-year license renewal period, 35 of which must be in the diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease in the below areas in any combination:
glaucoma,
ocular infection,
ocular inflammation,
topical steroids,
systemic medication,
or pain medication.
TPA-Certified Licensed Optometrists
TPA-certified optometrists must obtain 50 hours of SBO approved CE every two-year license renewal period, 35 of which must be in the diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease in the below areas in any combination:
glaucoma,
ocular infection,
ocular inflammation,
topical steroids,
systemic medication,
or pain medication.
TPG/TLG-Certified Licensed Optometrists
In addition to the CE requirements for TPA-certified doctors of optometry, TPG- and TLG-certified optometrists, i.e., glaucoma certified, are required to complete 10 hours of glaucoma-specific CE every license renewal period. These 10 hours are part of the 35 hours required for the diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease.
Self-Study/Correspondence Courses
The SBO accepts a maximum of 20 hours of CE earned through the completion of acceptable, documented and accredited self-study courses. Credit for self-study courses, i.e., review of written, audio or video material, or a combination, is given at the ratio of one hour of credit for one hour of self-study.
Acceptance of Live, Interactive CE
As of May 2020, licensees may complete all of their required CE hours using online courses, as set out below. This change is permanent and does not have an end date.
Under current law, live, interactive, and participatory courses provided over an internet platform do not fit within the plain meaning of self-study (i.e. the study of something by oneself, as through books, records, etc., without direct supervision or attendance in a class). Interactive courses offered live over internet platforms such as Zoom, WebEx, BlueJeans, RingCentral or courses being offered by COPE will count towards the 30 hours required of live continuing education course credits.
Conversely, online courses that are recorded and made available for viewing later tend to meet the plain meaning definition of "self-study." These courses are not live, interactive, or participatory. Thus, these courses will not qualify as live courses and would instead qualify as self-study/correspondence courses.
COA Continuing Education
Additional CE Resources
Approved Providers
CE courses which are approved as meeting the required standards of the board include those sponsored or recognized by any accredited U.S. school or college of optometry, any national or state affiliate of the American Optometric Association (including the California Optometric Association), the American Academy of Optometry, or the Optometric Extension Program. Also acceptable are courses approved by the International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry known as COPE (Council on Optometric Practitioner Education).
CE Exemptions
The following optometrists shall be exempt from the CE requirements:
Any licensee serving in the regular armed forces of the United States during any part of the two years immediately preceding the license expiration date.
Any licensee who is renewing an active license for the first time, if they graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry less than one year from the date of initial licensure.