The General Optical Council (Continuing Education and Training Rules) Order of Council 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

The Rules approved by this Order require optometrists and dispensing opticians registered by the General Optical Council (“the GOC”) under the Opticians Act 1989 to undertake continuing education and training (“the CET scheme”).

Part 1 provides for the Rules to come into force on 1st July 2005 and sets out the definitions of terms used in the Rules.

Part 2 provides for the arrangements for administering the CET scheme. The Council may appoint an administrator to carry out functions of operating the CET scheme which are conferred by the Rules. Any functions for which no appointment is in force are to be exercisable by the Council.

Part 3 establishes the infrastructure for the approval of listed providers and continuing education and training events. Rules 5 to 7, 9 and 10 govern the approval of applications to become a listed provider (and the fees payable) and the approval of events provided by them, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. Rules 8 and 10 deal with the approval of events provided outside the United Kingdom by persons who are not listed providers. Rule 10 also provides for the specification of a reference number for each approved event and the type of CET points obtainable by persons undertaking them. Rule 11 sets out the information to be provided by listed providers to the administrator or to persons undertaking the event.

Part 4 makes provision for obtaining CET points. Rule 12 deals with general CET points and sets out how the number of points each person needs is to be determined. Rule 13 contains the equivalent provision for specialist CET points. Rule 14 provides for CET points to be given for events attended before the Rules come into force. Rule 15 sets out certain requirements as to the calculation of the CET points and rule 16 provides for a limited relaxation of those requirements in relation to the initial relevant period.

Part 5 makes provision with regard to the records that are to be kept by listed providers, the administrator and registrants.

Part 6 establishes the procedure to be followed where there is a dispute as to the CET points obtained.

Part 7 applies where a registrant fails to obtain the requisite number of CET points for any period. The registrar may send a notice to the registrant warning that his registration may be removed. The registrar may remove his name from the appropriate register if the shortfall is not made up by 15th March following the end of the period in question.

Part 8 governs the restoration of a person’s registration or any entry of his relating to a specialty. Persons seeking restoration are required to obtain CET points over the period specified in rule 25 or 26, as if they had been in the register for that period.