Revised CPD guidelines published today

24 Oct 2019

The Optometry Board of Australia (the Board), along with four other National Boards, has today published an advance copy of its revised continuing professional development guidelines (CPD guidelines).

The CPD guidelines provide additional information for optometrists about how to meet the revised CPD registration standard (CPD standard). The Board published an advance copy of the CPD standard on 31 July 2019.

The revised CPD standard and guidelines will apply from 1 December 2020 to all optometrists registered with the Board except those with student or non-practising registration.

Optometrists will need to declare that they have met the revised CPD standard when they renew their registration in 2021. Optometrists must declare whether or not they meet the current CPD standard when you renew your registration in 2019 and 2020.

The Board encourages optometrists to read the revised CPD registration standard and guidelines to make sure that they are familiar with the updated requirements.

From 1 December 2020, optometrists will need to complete 20 hours of CPD in each registration year. Those with a scheduled medicines endorsement will be required to complete an additional 10 hours of CPD related to the endorsement in addition to the 20 hours, for a total of 30 hours of CPD. The Board will still require optometrists to complete training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within the previous three registration periods provided by or through an approved training provider.

The ways in which registered optometrists can meet the standard will be more flexible. Optometrists will no longer need to undertake accredited CPD activities. They will need to develop learning goals, plan their CPD activities to meet those goals and reflect on how they will improve their practice based on what they have learned. You will need to keep a portfolio that records this information.

To meet the revised standard, CPD activities will need to:

• seek to improve patient outcomes and experiences
• draw on best available evidence and accepted knowledge that is supported by research where possible
• contribute to improving competence (performance, communication and behaviour) and up to date practice in the selected scope and setting
• build on existing knowledge, and
• include five hours of interactive CPD activities.

The Board is currently developing additional guidance material to help optometrists understand and meet the revised CPD standard. Additional material including an updated FAQ about CPD and a template CPD portfolio will be published on the Board’s website in coming months.

National Boards published a consultation report providing a summary of the consultation on the revised CPD registration standards on 31 July 2019. The report and additional information are published on the AHPRA website.

For further information

• Visit the Board’s website.
• Lodge an online enquiry form.
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers).
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200.