Continuing professional development (CPD)
Continuing professional development (CPD) is the first recertification requirement for optometrists and dispensing opticians. CPR certification and self-audits are the other two.
Recertification cycles run over a 2-year period, and each profession has its own requirements.
On this page: Recertification requirements for dispensing opticians | Recertification requirements for optometrists | CPD recording for dispensing opticians | Accreditation | Assessment | Specialist Optometrists
Requirements for dispensing opticians
Recertification programme for dispensing opticians (Aug 2023)
Policy on CPD accreditation for dispensing opticians (Aug 2023)
Requirements for optometrists
Recertification programme for optometrists (Aug 2023)
Policy on CPD accreditation for optometrists (Aug 2023)
CPD recording for optometrists and dispensing opticians
Practitioners are required to log their CPD throughout their 2-year recertification cycle. All CPD credits must be accredited by the ODOB and aligned to the ODOB’s standards.
- Optometrists require 40 CPD credits by the end of their recertification cycle.
- Dispensing opticians require 20 CPD credits by the end of their recertification cycle.
- The above CPD requirements for both optometrists and dispensing opticians must include 1 ethical and 1 cultural CPD credit per recertification cycle.
If you have not been able to meet the recertification programme requirements by the end of the current cycle, you will be subject to a CPD deficit process. These processes are detailed in the recertification policy for each profession (see above).
Optometrist with independent glaucoma prescribing rights
In August 2023, the Board updated its glaucoma prescribing guidelines. The updated Independent glaucoma prescribing guidelines for New Zealand optometrists has come into effect on 1 November 2023 (start of the next 2 year recertification cycle) and replaced the previous version Prescribing in glaucoma: Guidelines for New Zealand optometrists. Optometrists holding Independent Glaucoma Prescriber (IGP) endorsement should familarise themselves with the new requirements.
Independent glaucoma prescribing guidelines for New Zealand optometrists (1 Nov 2023)
Updated Documents for reference:
A1 - Glaucoma patient management case log (2023)
A2 - Prerequisites and form for optometrist supervisors of glaucoma GPR activities (2023)
Accreditation of events/activities
Events/activities must be assessed by the ODOB’s Education, Accreditation and Research Committee (EARC), its assessors, or delegates to determine their suitability for continuing professional development (CPD). The ODOB will also determine the relevant class of CPD points, based on the specific ODOB standard/s, learning outcome/s and notional hour/s of each event/activity.
CPD providers should aim to accredit their event/activity at least 30 days (for half or full day events/activities) prior to it taking place. This ensures sufficient time for it to be accredited by EARC and for it to be listed on the ODOB CPD events calendar (if required) so that practitioners can easily reference or log the activity.
Individual practitioners who attend events/activities (e.g., overseas conferences, peer reviewed publications) that have not been previously accredited for CPD can also apply to have their event/activity recognised and accredited, using the form below. These may take longer to assess.
For event/activity providers:
Guidelines for providers to apply for CPD events/activities
Application for CPD accreditation for activity providers (Online form)
As of 1 January 2024, the Board will no longer accept MsWord or PDF forms, and must only use this online CPD accreditation form.
If you do not have a myODOB account yet, please complete this form (below) and email it to cpd@odob.health.nz for more information on next steps.
CPD Provider Login Form (REC 6)
Reset Password User Guide
For individuals:
Guidelines for individual application for accreditation for CPD events/activities
Application for CPD accreditation for individual practitioners (Online form)
As of 1 January 2024, the Board will no longer accept MsWord or PDF forms, and must only use this online CPD accreditation form.
To access the online accreditation form, please log into your myODOB account. All forms are under the “Forms” tab.
If you do not yet have access to your myODOB account, or want to know how to reset your password, please use the Reset Password User Guide. For support, please email cpd@odob.health.nz for more information on next steps.
Reset Password User Guide
Clinical Placement guidelines (2023)
Clinical Placement Patient Management Log
Application for Accreditation of General Peer Review Sessions (REC5)
For independent glaucoma prescribers:
Application for Accreditation of Glaucoma Peer Review (GPR) Sessions (REC 4)
GPR Presenters Form
Assessment of documents/portfolio
If you have evidence of prior learning and want to have it recognised, please contact us at cpd@odob.health.nz for an assessment. Similarly, contact us if you want the transfer, or formal recognition of, your credit accumulation for any part of recertification.
To apply for the assessment of a portfolio of evidence seeking recognition of prior learning (RPL), or credit accumulation and transfer for formal recognition for any part of the recertification programme, please contact us (email: cpd@odob.health.nz).
Specialist Optometrist in Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries
It is the optometrist’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the ongoing competency requirements for both the Optometrist Scope of Practice as well as the requirements relevant to the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice in Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries, which are in addition and annual.
The additional requirements while practising within the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice in Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries are as follows:
- Maintaining a collegial relationship with a registered ophthalmologist working at the ODOB-approved location where they are performing the laser surgery; and
- Maintaining competence in laser safety by completing a ODOB-approved laser safety course every 2 years. (ODOB has a list of accredited providers); and
- Submitting to the ODOB’s Annual Continuing Competency Declaration (LAS6) for each year that surgeries have been performed.
Annual Continuing Competency Declaration (LAS6)
Also see the Continuing Competence Plan.
Continuing Competence Plan (LAS 7)
Full details are explained in the Guidelines for New Zealand Optometrists – Ophthalmic laser surgery.