optician set to publish CET list

This year, self-accreditation is required, with practitioners being asked to submit a list of all the accredited courses attended, distance-learning modules undertaken and any other activity which might merit CET points. These include published papers and lectures delivered at an accredited event. It is necessary for practitioners involved in preregistration supervision and in examining to have proof of attaining at least 10 CET points a year over a three-year period. There is also a separate listing of CET points gained in contact lens-related learning, which will be forwarded to the General Optical Council and used for the listing of contact lens fitters in the Opticians Register. This process has led to concern from practitioners trying to trace the reference numbers for each College-accredited event. This has been confused by the fact that many CET modules are published under a code ascribed to them by the journal, which differs from that given by the College of Optometrists. From next year, optician will use the reference number provided by the College with any CET material published and this will be the sole reference number used throughout each series. In next week's issue (December 1) optician will publish a list of all CET articles printed this year with their College of Optometrists reference number, to help practitioners to respond before the end of year deadline.