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 Optician (PPG) which takes effect immediately. The amendments are as reflected in Table 1.
2. OOB first rolled out its CPE framework and requirement in 2009. The main objectives are for practitioners to upkeep their skills and knowledge to enhance their professionalism and to be able to serve the public more effectively. Each qualifying period (QP) is a two-year cycle starting from 1st October to 30th September. A fully registered Optician is required to meet 40 points, and Optometrists 50 points within each two-year QP cycle.
3 Under the revised Code of Professional Conduct and PPG (Oct 2018), all practising practitioners are expected to fulfil the required CPE points within each QP. Failure to fulfil the CPE requirements could amount to professional misconduct and the registered practitioners may be subjected to disciplinary actions by the Board.
4. Similarly, for practitioners whose practising certificates have lapsed and who wish to return to practise, are now required to obtain the requisite CPE points in the 24 months preceding their application for practising certificate (PC) with the Board.
5. The revised articles are applicable to practitioners with immediate effect. You may refer to PPG under information related to CPE for more details.
6. For further clarifications, please contact the Board’s Secretariat at
OOB@spb.gov.sg
Table 1
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Amendments
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a.
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B. Code of Professional Conduct for Optometrists (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 (as set out in the Guide to CPE for Optometrists & Opticians).
5. Fitness to practice (Page 21)
5.4. All practising 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 the Guide to CPE for Optometrists & 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. For the avoidance of doubt, optometrists whose practising certificates have lapsed and who desire to return to practise are also required to obtain the requisite CPE points in the 24 months preceding their application for PC with the Board.
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b.
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B. Code of Professional Conduct for Opticians (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 (as set out in the Guide to CPE for Optometrists & Opticians).
6. Fitness to practice (Page 38)
6.4. All practising opticians are expected to participate in continuing professional education activities approved by the OOB and fulfil the minimum CPE point requirement (as set out in the Guide to CPE for Optometrists & Opticians) within each qualifying period to ensure that their knowledge and skills in opticianry remain current and relevant and to maintain a reasonable level of competence. For the avoidance of doubt, opticians whose practising certificates have lapsed and who desire to return to practise are also required to obtain the requisite CPE points in the 24 months preceding their application for PC with the Board.
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