There is a statutory scheme for dispensing opticians and optometrists who wish to maintain registration with the General Optical Council. The scheme runs in 3-year periods, and the current 3-year period will end on 31st December 2012. All dispensing opticians and optometrists will have to gain 36 CET credits by December 2012, for continued registration. There are specialty lists, including a specialty contact lens list for dispensing opticians who are also contact lens opticians. To continue to practise as a contact lens optician, an additional 18 contact lens CET credits must be gained by December 2012. At the end of 2012, all credit records will be reset to zero, to begin the next period on 1st January 2013. There are different requirements for those who join or rejoin the GOC Register during the 3-year period, for example for newly-qualified DOs. The Principles and Requirements and the Statutory Scheme Rules are available on the cetoptics and GOC websites.

ABDO intend to offer enough CET, as part of the membership fee, to fulfil the GOC requirement, via distance learning and Area CET events, as well as some e-learning initiatives.

Register now at WWW.CETOPTICS.COM to manage your CET record, and confirm any pending points. This is the website that the GOC and Vantage Technologies have set up to administer CET. Although it can be accessed via a link from the ABDO website, it is managed independently, including a 'Contact Us' section for queries.

If you are re-registering with the GOC after a period of absence, the ABDO Bookshop stocks a 'Re-registration Pack' with all the CET points and information you will need to re-register.

In addition to the guidance below, you are advised to consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of WWW.CETOPTICS.COM.

Members are advised to keep a personal summary of CET points gained in 2010. If you would like an ABDO CET Personal points summary 2010 form you can download it from here. Or email the CET Office or telephone 01621 890202 and one will be sent to you.

No points are gained for practical examination duties. There is a requirement for contact lens examiners and dispensing examiners to undertake CET. You should contact the Director of Examinations, Alicia Thompson, for further advice.