{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/54.1-3219.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/54.1-3219.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/54.1-3219.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/54.1-3219.html"}],"law_id":368640,"edition_id":2,"section_id":368640,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3219","catch_line":"Continuing education","history":"1976, c. 32, \u00a7 54-394.1; 1988, c. 765; 2016, c. 89; 2023, c. 268.","full_text":"A\n\nAs a prerequisite to renewal of a license or reinstatement of a license, each optometrist shall be required to complete 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry, as approved by the Board, each year. A licensee who completes more than 20 hours of continuing education in a year shall be allowed to carry forward up to 10 hours of continuing education for the next annual renewal cycle. The courses shall include, but need not be limited to, the utilization and application of new techniques, scientific and clinical advances, and new achievements of research. The Board shall prescribe criteria for approval of courses of study. Fulfillment of education requirements shall be certified to the Board upon a form provided by the Board and shall be submitted by each licensed optometrist at the time he applies to the Board for the renewal of his license. The Board may waive individual requirements in cases of certified illness or undue hardship.\n\nB\n\nOf the 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry required pursuant to subsection A:\n\n1\n\nAt least 10 hours shall be obtained through real-time, interactive activities, including in-person or electronic presentations, provided that during the course of the presentation, the licensee and the lecturer may communicate with one another;\n\n2\n\nNo more than two hours may consist of courses related to recordkeeping, including coding for diagnostic and treatment devices and procedures or the management of an optometry practice, provided that such courses are not primarily for the purpose of augmenting the licensee’s income or promoting the sale of specific instruments or products; and\n\n3\n\nFor TPA-certified optometrists, at least 10 hours shall be in the areas of ocular and general pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye and its adnexa, including treatment with new pharmaceutical agents, or new or advanced clinical devices, techniques, modalities, or procedures.\n\nC\n\nNothing in this section shall prevent or limit the authority of the Board to require additional hours or types of continuing education as part or in lieu of disciplinary action.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1373632,"text":"As a prerequisite to renewal of a license or reinstatement of a license, each optometrist shall be required to complete 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry, as approved by the Board, each year. A licensee who completes more than 20 hours of continuing education in a year shall be allowed to carry forward up to 10 hours of continuing education for the next annual renewal cycle. The courses shall include, but need not be limited to, the utilization and application of new techniques, scientific and clinical advances, and new achievements of research. The Board shall prescribe criteria for approval of courses of study. Fulfillment of education requirements shall be certified to the Board upon a form provided by the Board and shall be submitted by each licensed optometrist at the time he applies to the Board for the renewal of his license. The Board may waive individual requirements in cases of certified illness or undue hardship.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1373633,"text":"Of the 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry required pursuant to subsection A:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1373634,"text":"At least 10 hours shall be obtained through real-time, interactive activities, including in-person or electronic presentations, provided that during the course of the presentation, the licensee and the lecturer may communicate with one another;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1373635,"text":"No more than two hours may consist of courses related to recordkeeping, including coding for diagnostic and treatment devices and procedures or the management of an optometry practice, provided that such courses are not primarily for the purpose of augmenting the licensee’s income or promoting the sale of specific instruments or products; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1373636,"text":"For TPA-certified optometrists, at least 10 hours shall be in the areas of ocular and general pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye and its adnexa, including treatment with new pharmaceutical agents, or new or advanced clinical devices, techniques, modalities, or procedures.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":1373637,"text":"Nothing in this section shall prevent or limit the authority of the Board to require additional hours or types of continuing education as part or in lieu of disciplinary action.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52528,"edition_id":2,"name":"Licensure of Optometrists","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52525,"metadata":{"child_laws":8,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:00:32","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:10","permalink":{"id":1470031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52528,"identifier":"3","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3","url":"\/54.1\/III\/32\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52525,"edition_id":2,"name":"Optometry","identifier":"32","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":12,"parent_id":52479,"metadata":{"child_laws":27,"child_structures":6},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:00:30","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:10","permalink":{"id":1469973,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52525,"identifier":"32","token":"54.1\/III\/32","url":"\/54.1\/III\/32\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52479,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52436,"metadata":{"child_laws":738,"child_structures":83},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:00","permalink":{"id":1468107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52479,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52436,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":118,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1282,"child_structures":163},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:58:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:51","permalink":{"id":1466315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52436,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":368633,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3212","catch_line":"Qualifications of applicants","url":"\/54.1-3212\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3212","metadata":false},{"id":368634,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3213","catch_line":"License to practice optometry; requirements; renewal; fees","url":"\/54.1-3213\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3213","metadata":false},{"id":368635,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3214","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3214\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3214","metadata":false},{"id":368636,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3215","catch_line":"Board actions; reprimand, suspension, revocation, etc","url":"\/54.1-3215\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3215","metadata":false},{"id":368637,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3216","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3216\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3216","metadata":false},{"id":368638,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3217","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3217\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3217","metadata":false},{"id":368639,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3218","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3218\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3218","metadata":false},{"id":368640,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3219","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-3219\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3219","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":368639,"structure_id":52528,"section_number":"54.1-3218","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3218\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3218","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3219\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 32 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 765; in 2016, chapter 89<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 268<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1470061,"object_type":"law","relational_id":368640,"identifier":"54.1-3219","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3219","url":"\/54.1-3219\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3219\/","token":"54.1\/III\/32\/3\/54.1-3219","dublin_core":{"Title":"Continuing education","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3219","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As a prerequisite to renewal of a license or reinstatement of a license, each optometrist<\/span> shall be required to complete 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry, as approved by the Board<\/span>, each year. A licensee who completes more than 20 hours of continuing education in a year shall be allowed to carry forward up to 10 hours of continuing education for the next annual renewal cycle. The courses shall include, but need not be limited to, the utilization and application of new techniques, scientific and clinical advances, and new achievements of research. The Board<\/span> shall prescribe criteria for approval of courses of study. Fulfillment of education requirements shall be certified to the Board<\/span> upon a form provided by the Board<\/span> and shall be submitted by each licensed optometrist<\/span> at the time he applies to the Board<\/span> for the renewal of his license. The Board<\/span> may waive<\/span> individual requirements in cases of certified illness or undue hardship. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Of the 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry required pursuant to subsection A: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> At least 10 hours shall be obtained through real-time, interactive activities, including in-person or electronic presentations, provided that during the course of the presentation, the licensee and the lecturer may communicate with one another; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> No more than two hours may consist of courses related to recordkeeping, including coding for diagnostic and treatment devices and procedures or the management of an optometry practice, provided that such courses are not primarily for the purpose of augmenting the licensee’s income or promoting the sale of specific instruments or products; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> For TPA-certified optometrists<\/span>, at least 10 hours shall be in the areas of ocular and general pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye and its adnexa, including treatment with new pharmaceutical agents, or new or advanced clinical devices, techniques, modalities, or procedures. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall prevent or limit the authority of the Board<\/span> to require additional hours or types of continuing education as part or in lieu of disciplinary action. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONTINUING EDUCATION (\u00a7 54.1-3219)\n\nA. As a prerequisite to renewal of a license or reinstatement of a license, each\noptometrist shall be required to complete 20 hours of continuing education\nrelating to optometry, as approved by the Board, each year. A licensee who\ncompletes more than 20 hours of continuing education in a year shall be allowed\nto carry forward up to 10 hours of continuing education for the next annual\nrenewal cycle. The courses shall include, but need not be limited to, the\nutilization and application of new techniques, scientific and clinical advances,\nand new achievements of research. The Board shall prescribe criteria for\napproval of courses of study. Fulfillment of education requirements shall be\ncertified to the Board upon a form provided by the Board and shall be submitted\nby each licensed optometrist at the time he applies to the Board for the renewal\nof his license. The Board may waive individual requirements in cases of\ncertified illness or undue hardship.\n\nB. Of the 20 hours of continuing education relating to optometry required\npursuant to subsection A:\n\n 1. At least 10 hours shall be obtained through real-time, interactive\n activities, including in-person or electronic presentations, provided that\n during the course of the presentation, the licensee and the lecturer may\n communicate with one another;\n\n 2. No more than two hours may consist of courses related to recordkeeping,\n including coding for diagnostic and treatment devices and procedures or the\n management of an optometry practice, provided that such courses are not\n primarily for the purpose of augmenting the licensee’s income or\n promoting the sale of specific instruments or products; and\n\n 3. For TPA-certified optometrists, at least 10 hours shall be in the areas of\n ocular and general pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye and\n its adnexa, including treatment with new pharmaceutical agents, or new or\n advanced clinical devices, techniques, modalities, or procedures.\n\nC. Nothing in this section shall prevent or limit the authority of the Board to\nrequire additional hours or types of continuing education as part or in lieu of\ndisciplinary action.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 32, \u00a7 54-394.1; 1988, c. 765; 2016, c. 89; 2023, c. 268.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}