Learning - CET Scheme

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Member Information

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 2009. All dispensing opticians and optometrists will have to gain 36 CET credits by December 2009, for continued registration. There are speciality lists, including a speciality 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 2009. At the end of 2009, all credit records will be reset to zero, to begin the next period on 1st January 2010. There are different requirements for those who join or rejoin the GOC Register during the 3-year period. 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.

In addition to the guidance below, you are advised to consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of www.cetoptics.com.

	Why take part in CET?
	What must I do first?
	I am not GOC registered, but want to accrue CET credits in case I want to register in the future. Can I start a record without a GOC number?
	I am having trouble logging on/using my password on www.cetoptics.com. What can I do?
	I would like to take a registration break. What is the CET requirement for re-registration?
	How to gain CET credits
	How will I find out where and when CET events will be held?
	How will I know if the CET is for dispensing opticians?
	I recently attended a CET course, how do I apply for credits?
	I am an overseas member: can I be credited with CET points?
	I am a dispensing student. Do I gain credits for CET events attended prior to gaining FBDO?
	I am a Contact Lens student. Do I gain credits for CET events attended prior to gaining my CL Certificate?
	I have just gained my Contact Lens Certificate / Contact Lens Honours. Do I get any points for that?
	I have just gained my LVA Honours. Do I get any points for that?
	I have just gained my SLD Honours. Do I get any points for that?
	I am an ABDO Examiner. Should I take part in CET? Do I gain points for examination duties?
	I am an optometrist as well as FBDO, how does ABDO CET affect me?
	What do I do if I want to organise a CET event?
	How long do my credits last?

Why take part in CET?

If you intend to register with the GOC, you must have evidence of completion of CET according to the statutory requirements.
You may not dispense to the under 16s, the blind and partially sighted, nor describe yourself as a dispensing optician unless you are registered with the GOC.
Participation in CET is becoming a requirement for many healthcare professionals, and the existence of a CET scheme for dispensing opticians raises the profile of the profession.
Evidence of participation in CET events increases your employment prospects.
CET will help to keep you up-to-date with new products and technology.
It may help you re-examine and renew your interest in various aspects of your work.
It may awaken an interest in an area which you had not considered before, such as low vision, or occupational dispensing, and provide an opportunity for further professional development via degree courses or ABDO distance learning courses, or lead to a change of emphasis in your dispensing work.
Attendance at CET events can renew friendships and build up your network of contacts.
Accumulation of CET credits will help to increase your confidence and self-esteem.

What must I do first?

You must log-on to the GOC/Vantage CET website WWW.CETOPTICS.COM and set up your CET User personal record/account. When you first access your CET record, you will find that it already contains credits from any 2004 CET completed.

How will I find out where and when CET events will be held?

The GOC/Vantage website WWW.CETOPTICS.COM will have forthcoming CET events listed in the CET Directory section.

Events will also be publicised via the Diary sections of Dispensing Optics, The Optician and Optometry Today. ABDO Areas will also send notification to their members. Some CET providers mail notification of CET events directly to GOC registrants.

How will I know if the CET is for dispensing opticians?

The Provider of the CET must state the target group(s) for the CET. If this is not stated at the event or on the module, the target group(s) will show on the CET in the 'CET Directory' area of cetoptics. Search for the C-number.

I am not GOC registered, but want to accrue CET credits in case I want to register in the future. Can I start a record without a GOC number?

Yes. Log-on to www.cetoptics.com and create an account/personal record in the CET User section. This will provide you with your CET User Code, which you must use (in place of a GOC number) to identify yourself when you sign attendance lists or take part in distance learning CET.

I am having trouble logging on/using my password on www.cetoptics.com. What can I do?

Unfortunately ABDO cannot access the website directly, nor your record on it, as it is completely separate and CET records are secure. There is a Helpline 0870 749 4650 which is answered by Vantage staff, or where you can leave a message

I would like to take a registration break. What is the CET requirement for re-registration?

When you apply for re-registration, the GOC will ask for evidence of 12 CET points completed in the previous 12 months to your application for re-registration. Your record on cetoptics.com will suffice, or certificates of attendance from CET Providers.

How to gain CET credits

Credits may be gained by participation in any of a number of activities. These are:

Attending conferences or centrally staged seminars. These may be organised by ABDO, ABDO Areas, Employers, Optical Companies, Optical Associations, Colleges, etc.
Successful completion of assessments for CET approved articles published in Dispensing Optics or other journals.
Completing Distance Learning Modules from sources other than ABDO

I recently attended a CET course, how do I apply for credits?

You should log-on to the CET User section of www.cetoptics.com to register, if you have not already done so.

When a CET Provider submits an attendance list, you will receive notification from GOC/Vantage, asking you to log-on and confirm your attendance. The points will be in your 'Pending Points' box.

I am an overseas member: can I be credited with CET points?

Yes, and you should set up your CET User account at WWW.CETOPTICS.COM if you intend to register with the GOC, or if you want to keep your own records of CET completed. There is a section at www.cetoptics.com concerning Overseas CET.

I am a dispensing student. Do I gain credits for CET events attended prior to gaining FBDO?

No. You cannot accrue CET credits until you have gained your qualification.

Students may take part in ABDO CET via Area events or articles in Dispensing Optics as support to their studies. The ABDO website online CET completion facility is not available to students or other members not eligible to take part in the GOC's CET scheme. Posted or faxed entries for Dispensing Optics Journal CET will be marked and returned. PLEASE ENSURE THAT ENTRIES ARE CLEARLY MARKED 'STUDENT'

I am a Contact Lens student. Do I gain credits for CET events attended prior to gaining my CL Certificate?

Yes, but see above

I have just gained my Contact Lens Certificate / Contact Lens Honours. Do I get any points for that?

Once you have registered with the GOC as a contact lens optician, and have been placed on the GOC's Specialist Contact Lens list, there is an increased 3-year statutory requirement: an extra 18 contact lens Speciality credits.

I have just gained my LVA Honours. Do I get any points for that?

No, not automatically. However, CET points have been approved for the Low Vision Honours study days held at ABDO College.

I have just gained my SLD Honours. Do I get any points for that?

No, not automatically. However, OptNet, the course provider, may be able to apply for CET approval for the SLD course.

I am an ABDO Examiner. Should I take part in CET? Do I gain points for examination duties?

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.

I am an optometrist as well as FBDO, how does ABDO CET affect me?

There is no requirement for CET credits in order to remain a member of ABDO, and to continue to use suffixes related to qualifications through ABDO. All CET provided by ABDO is also approved for optometrist CET credits, so ABDO membership is advantageous for optometrists.

What do I do if I want to organise a CET event?

You must log-on to WWW.CETOPTICS.COM to register as an Approved CET Provider. If it is an ABDO Area CET event, contact the ABDO CET Office for advice.

How long do my credits last?

Credits gained are valid for 3 years. At the beginning of 2007, all credits will be deleted from your record.