Continuing Education Requirements for Alabama Optometrists

Refer to Administrative Code 630-X-7.

Alabama optometrists holding therapeutic licenses must obtain twenty (20) approved hours of continuing education annually. At least half of these hours must relate to diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye disease.

Alabama optometrists not holding therapeutic licensure must obtain fourteen (14) hours of approved continuing education annually.

For all Alabama licensed optometrists, up to three (3) hours may be devoted to approved practice management courses. Three (3) hours of "distance-based" (internet, teleconference, etc.) education may be obtained annually to meet continuing education requirements. 

Required CE hours should be attended between October 1 and September 30 (Alabama's fiscal year).  

You may not renew your license until you've completed all required CE hours.   If you have not completed the required number of CE hours by September 30, you must complete them during the re-licensure period (October 1 through December 31).  After completing the required number of CE hours, additional CE hours obtained during the re-licensure period may be counted toward the following year's re-licensure.

All licensees are required to keep a personal record of courses attended including the dates of attendance, the name of the course, the name of the sponsor, and the clock hours attended.

When renewing your license to practice optometry in Alabama, you must certify that all continuing education hours required by the board have been completed. Continuing education hours can be audited, and failure to show proof of completion of the continuing education requirement can result in severe penalties, including license suspension.

The Alabama Board of Optometry approves and accepts continuing education courses approved, sponsored or offered by:  

COPE (Council in Optometric Practitioner Education)

American Optometric Association

Alabama Optometric Association and other state optometric associations

Postgraduate courses offered by accredited schools and colleges of optometry

Southern Council of Optometry

American Academy of Optometry

National Optometric Association

All other continuing education courses must be submitted for approval.  If desired, you may print and use this downloadable form (in .pdf format) for your CE approval request.