Enforcement report: CE audit pass rate edges up to 73%, opticianry cases surge

Enforcement Manager Brad presented the board’s quarter‑three enforcement report, telling members the board received 105 optometry and 42 opticianry cases in the quarter, and that optometry cases are projected to exceed last year’s total. The board issued 26 citations in the quarter (21 optometry, five opticianry) and referred several matters — including one optometry case and four opticianry cases — to the Attorney General’s office.

Brad said the CE audit pass rate improved to 73% for the quarter (up from prior quarters of 66% and 62%), and members asked whether outreach or other communications could explain the improvement. Brad said the rise may reflect renewed messaging to licensees and coordinated outreach (including talks at the California Optometric Association) but cautioned that it is an early data point and the trend should be monitored.

Members pressed about tools to improve audit scale. Brad and staff described the board’s use of ARBO’s OE Tracker to retrieve submitted continuing‑education entries when available and noted other private providers exist; they discussed tradeoffs between 100% verification (used by some states) and California’s current model, which processes automatic renewals and audits a percentage of renewals. Members asked staff to return with options and cost estimates for broader automation, AE Tracker adoption paths, or higher audit rates.

The report also showed an uptick in convictions/subsequent arrests reported for registrants and an increase in unlicensed‑practice enforcement activity; staff said increased monitoring and follow‑up drove more opticianry case openings. Board members asked staff to provide options for the board to evaluate (including invitations to ARBO/OE Tracker providers) and recommended a future agenda item on audit technology and costs.

No formal board action was recorded on the enforcement statistics; staff will return with follow‑up options and cost estimates.