(1) Each licensed optometrist shall obtain a minimum of 36 hours of continuing education every two years in scientific clinics, forums, or optometric educational studies approved by the board. The board will accept:

(a) up to four hours of practice management continuing education credit every two years; and

(b) twelve hours of credit for approved continuing education correspondence courses or Internet courses every two years.

(2) A person who graduates from an accredited school of optometry and becomes a licensee within one year of graduation is excused from the continuing education requirement during the first year the person is a licensee.

(3) A licensee who is enrolled in a residency program accredited by the ACOE is excused from the continuing education requirement while the licensee is in the residency program and for the year in which the licensee successfully completed the residency program.

(4) The board may conduct random audits of up to 50 percent of all renewed licensees. It is the responsibility of each optometrist to maintain the optometrist's own records of participation and completion, and make them available upon request.

(a) Random audits will be conducted in odd-numbered years.

(b) A three month extension will be provided for all licensees who fail to meet the continuing education requirements as a result of an audit. Failure to meet this extension may result in disciplinary action.