Wyoming Board of Examiners in Optometry
Important Updates
New Training Requirement for DEA-registered practitioners. The Drug Enforcement Agency Diversion Unit is now requiring a one-time 8-hour Medication Assisted Treatment Training for all DEA registered practitioners. For more information, please refer to the MATE Training Letter.
ACCME sponsored continuing education. At their January 25, 2024 meeting, the Board approved ACCME sponsored continuing education. This is beneficial to those completing responsible prescribing of opioid CE, as they can use these sponsored courses to meet both the DEA and Board requirements.
CE Composition
Pursuant to the Rules changes effective April 5, 2023, continuing education composition requirements are now as follows:
40 hours of CE are due by December 31 of odd years. Of the 40 hours due:
15 hours must address ocular systemic therapeusis.
3 hours must address the responsible prescribing of controlled substances.
No more than 6 hours can address practice management.
No more than 10 hours can be earned via asynchronous CE (formerly "online" CE)
"Asynchronous" means the instructor and licensee are not together at the same time, there is no real time communication between the instructor and the licensee, the licensee does not receive immediate feedback, and content is created and made available for attendance at a later date. (Up to 10 hours accepted.)
"Synchronous" means the instructor and licensee are together at the same time, there is real time communication between the instructor and the licensee, the licensee can receive immediate feedback, and the course is on a fixed schedule where learning takes place only once at a specific date and time. (Unlimited hours accepted.)
One (1) CE may be earned during each renewal period for passing the Board’s jurisprudence examination. See the FREE CE Section below.
CE Sponsorship
CE must be sponsored by one of the following:
COPE accredited or COPE sponsored;
AOA;
AOA recognized state associations;
American Academy of Optometry;
Schools and colleges of optometry;
College of Visual Development;
Optometric Extension Program and clinical facilities specializing in eye care that are staffed by professors or adjunct professors of optometry or ophthalmology at accredited optometry or medical schools; and
AACCME.
At their January 25, 2024 meeting, the Board approved AACCME sponsored continuing education. This is beneficial to those completing responsible prescribing of opioid CE, as they can use these sponsored courses to meet both the DEA and Board requirements.
CE Cycle
This two year cycle ends on December 31 of odd years and every submission is audited.
CE Deadlines and Late Fees
All CE must be posted on the OE Tracker website no later than December 31 of odd years. CE posted after December 31 will be assessed a late fee, no matter the reason! (Even if ARBO or your CE Provider take too long to upload your CE, or you are out of the office for the holidays, you will be assessed a late fee if all CE isn’t uploaded by December 31.)
Plan accordingly – you have two years to get 40 hours uploaded. Try to have it all submitted by early October to avoid any issues.
Free CE
Licensees may earn 1 hour every two years (FOR FREE) by taking and passing the Board's jurisprudence examination. If you're interested, please email emily.cronbaugh@wyo.gov for access to this exam. Upon passage of this examination, Board staff will notify ARBO to upload this credit to OE Tracker.