• For registered practitioners
  • Annual practising certificates
  • Obligations of registered practitioners
  • Practitioners' health
  • Competence assurance
    • CPD/Recertification
    • Random self audits
    • Competence reviews
    • Competence assurance policies
  • Practice standards
    • Standards of Clinical Competence
    • Standards of Cultural Competence
    • Standards of Ethical Conduct
    • Competence in DPA use
    • Statements and Guidelines
  • Discipline
    • Professional Conduct and Discipline
    • Discipline cases
  • Change of details
  • Registration services
    • Changing scope of practice
    • Certificates of Good Standing
    • Certificates of Registration
    • Non-practising practitioners
  • Fees

Competence reviews

Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, the Board may order a  competence review of a registered optometrist or dispensing optician at any time, whether or not there is reason to believe that practitioner's practice may be deficient.

A competence review will usually involve two peers and a lay member visiting the practitioner at their place of work, and may include:

• reviewing patient records
• observing the practitioner in consultations with patients
• case-based oral discussions on patient management
• practice systems reviews
• observation of communication skills
• interviews with the practitioner and his/her colleagues.

The Board does not currently undertake random competence reviews.  Its current policy is to undertake a competence review where there is reason to believe the practitioner's practice may be deficient.