Revision to Professional Practice Guidelines (CPE-Related)

1 October 2018

Learn about revised continuing education requirements, point allocations, and approved professional development activities.

The Optometrists and Opticians Board (the “Board”) would like to bring your attention to the amendment of articles in the Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice Guidelines for Optometrists and Opticians (PPG) which takes effect immediately. The amendments are as reflected in Table 1 below.

All fully registered practitioners must maintain his or her knowledge and practice at a competent level. He or she must participate in continuing professional education (CPE) activities approved by the OOB and fulfil the minimum CPE point requirement within each qualifying period as set out in the Guide to CPE for Optometrists and Opticians.
The revised articles are applicable to practitioners with qualifying period ending 30 September 2019 onwards. The Board would like to encourage all practitioners to stay conversant in their area of practice, and continue to uphold standards of practice. Any breach of any article in the PPG could amount to non-compliance to guidelines and directives set by the Board, and practitioners may be liable for disciplinary action by the Board.
You may refer to PPG and information related to CPE for more details.
Please contact the Board's Secretariat at 6355 2533 or email OOB@spb.gov.sg for further clarifications.

New changes to the Professional Practice Guidelines (CPE-Related)

S/N		Amendment
1.	Code of Professional Conduct - Page 3	2. An optometrist must maintain his or her knowledge and practice at a competent level. Specifically, an optometrist must participate in continuing professional education activities approved by the OOB and fulfil the minimum CPE point requirement within each qualifying period*.
	- Page 5	2. An optician must maintain his or her knowledge and practice at a competent level. Specifically, an optician must participate in continuing professional education activities approved by the OOB and fulfil the minimum CPE point requirement within each qualifying period*.
2.	Professional Practice Guidelines - Page 21	5.4. All optometrists are expected to participate in continuing professional education activities approved by the OOB and fulfil the minimum CPE point requirement (as set out in theGuide to CPE for Optometrists and Opticians within each qualifying period* to ensure that their knowledge and skills in optometry remain current and relevant and to maintain a reasonable level of competence
	- Page 38	6.4. All opticians are expected to participate in continuing professional education activities approved by the OOB and fulfil minimum required CPE points within qualifying period* to ensure that their opticianry knowledge and skills remain current and relevant and to maintain a reasonable level of competence.
* As set out in the Guide to CPE Programme for Optometrists and Opticians within each qualifying period, i.e. from 1^st October to the following year 30^th September for two years, or pro-rated for newly registered practitioners.