<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 10.28.12.03" title_num="10" subtitle_num="28" chapter_num="12" heading="Requirements for Renewal of Certification.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An optometrist certified by the Board under this chapter shall complete 50 hours of continuing education during the 2 year licensure period in order to renew the optometrist's license.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An optometrist certified by the Board under this chapter shall complete 30 hours of continuing education in the use and management of TPAs, during the 2-year licensure period.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Board shall count the 30 hours of continuing education in TPAs toward the 50 hours of continuing education required for biennial renewal.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A therapeutically certified optometrist shall be certified in CPR and shall verify this certification on request by the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Unless there are extenuating circumstances acceptable to the Board, the Board shall revoke the TPA certification of an optometrist who does not fulfill the requirements for renewal of the TPA certification.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>TPA Self-Assessment. At the time of license renewal, the therapeutically certified optometrist shall complete a self-assessment checklist provided by the Board to evaluate the following aspects of the optometrist’s practice utilizing TPAs, including but not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Legibility and completeness of TPA records;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Documentation of patient visits, services rendered, and communications;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Documentation of subjective complaints, objective findings, clinical assessments relating to the findings of the diagnosis, and the plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A written office plan for handling emergencies;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A system for patients to reach the optometrist, or to access care, in the event of an ocular emergency;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A systematic discarding of expired medications;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Documentation of current CPR certification;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>An infection control policy;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Patient confidentiality;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>A patient tracking system that enables identification and follow-up to ensure treatment of patients who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Are being followed or referred out for emergency sight or life-threatening conditions; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Fail to keep appointments;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Procedures for appropriate termination of the doctor-patient relationship when necessary;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Satisfactory explanation of the treatment plan so that the patient knows and understands the nature of the patient’s problem or problems and the goals of the treatment regimen; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>Advice to patients regarding the importance of progress examinations and follow-up care.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>