In early February 2023, the Biden administration announced its intent to end the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency on May 11, 2023. The attached Memorandum provides important guidance for accredited programs from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) as the end of the ACOE’s COVID-19 allowances approaches.
In conjunction with the anticipated COVID-19 end date, the ACOE considered whether to formally allow for virtual visits to externship sites on an ongoing basis and proposed modifications to Standard 2.10.2.1. The proposed verbiage changes to Standard 2.10.2.1 are identical to those proposed as part of the ACOE’s Comprehensive Standards Review process (see ACOE Call for Comments issued March 3, 2023 and due April 19, 2023). The Council’s intent is to make the changes specific to Standard 2.10.2.1 effective as of the expiration of the ACOE’s COVID-19 allowances.
The ACOE invites interested parties to submit comments regarding proposed changes to ACOE Professional Optometric Degree Program Standard 2.10.2.1. Please submit any comments by April 19, 2023 to accredit@theacoe.org
IMPORTANT REMINDER – The ACOE is also accepting comments as part of its comprehensive review of its Standards for Professional Optometric Degree Programs, which occurs at least every five years. This call for comments was distributed on March 3, 2023, and will also end on April 19, 2023.
Both calls for comments are published on the ACOE’s website.
The ACOE will consider all comments received at its Annual Meeting scheduled June 21-24, 2023.
Please submit any comments by April 19, 2023 to accredit@theacoe.org
Link to memo: 2023 03 Memo re COVID and OD Std 2.10.2.1