North Carolina Optometry (OD) CE requirements

Optometrist — license renewal requirements, sourced from the official board.

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25CE hours every 1 yearVerify with board

Renewal: Renewal certificate issued on or before December 31 annually (G.S. 90-118.10 as amended by S.L. 2023 S 659); the renewal application is due by January 1, and practicing without a renewed certificate after January 31 is unauthorized practice.

Required categories

Certified credit
20h
Synchronous in person
10h

Details

Reporting
COPE courses report automatically to the Board through ARBO/OE Tracker; all other approved CE must be submitted to the Board.

At least 20 of the 25 hours must be Board-certified credit, including at least 10 hours synchronous in-person; synchronous interactive virtual courses may supply the remaining certified hours. No more than 5 hours may be general credit (asynchronous/correspondence and practice-management courses). Per 21 NCAC 42B.0303, a first-time CE failure requires the shortfall, the current obligation, and a 5-hour penalty. No grace period identified.

Official source: NC State Board of Examiners in Optometry - 2023 Continuing Education (21 NCAC 42B.0303)

⚠️Board rules change. Verify every figure against the official source before relying on it.

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