2020 Virtual Show

Start
August 31, 2020
8:00 AM (EDT)
End
June 30, 2021
11:30 PM (EDT)
Location
Home Study

Register

Registration for the POF Virtual Shows is NOW OPEN!

**Important message regarding license expiration dates: As part of the response efforts to the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID- 19), State Surgeon General Dr. Scott A. Rivkees issued Emergency Order 21-001 extending the licensure renewal expiration date until June 30, 2021 for any professional license issued by the Department with upcoming licensure renewal deadlines. The license expiration date for Opticians expiring December 31, 2020 is extended to June 30, 2021.

The Florida Board of Opticianry voted to adopt POF's proposed Emergency Rule to allow Florida Opticians the option to complete all their 2019-2020 continuing education requirements via home-study due to COVID-19. This emergency rule expires on June 30, 2021.

What does this mean for you? You may complete your 2019-2020 education requirements in three different ways:

1. Attend POF's live conferences

2. Complete your requirements via the home-study courses listed in pofce.org.

3. Complete your requirements via any POF Virtual Show

4. Combine any method above

Tell me more about the POF Virtual Shows?

With one business day of registration, Virtual Show registrants will receive an email with a unique link to access all the amazing live event education content. All education content and videos may be viewed 24-hours a day and completed at your own pace. No PDF's to read, no tests to print and mail back. Simply log in, watch the education video, and follow along with the PowerPoint presentation. At the end of each education video, a short quiz will pop up right on your screen for completion. Once you pass the quiz, you will automatically receive a copy of your continuing education slip. POF will submit all your completed courses to CE Broker for tracking.

Member - Virtual Show Education Access $117

Standard (non-member) - Virtual Show Education Access $150

Visit POF.org to register today!

VIRTUAL SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

Nearly 40 different CE topics will be offered, giving you plenty of options
All 20 of Florida’s required hours of continuing education
Complete on your time schedule

ABO, NCLE approved courses
POF’s optician friendly payment options & 100% cancellation refund policy (up to 72 hours in advance)
Your education dollars support your profession locally & nationally

For Full Details on Virtual Show 2020

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ABO & NCLE Exam Reviews (Online)

Start
January 01, 2021
(EST)
End
December 31, 2021
(EST)
Location
Online

Register

Professional Opticians of Florida have partnered with WINK Productions to offer a new on-line program developed to review the fundamentals needed to help you prepare for the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Certification Examinations required for licensure in Florida.

Each virtual interactive lesson consists of slides, audio, speaker notes and a quiz, allowing you to review and complete the training independently. Online testing can make sure the most important information is understood. And, interactive education is more fun and more likely to be retained.

Your email confirmation will include information on accessing the review courses.

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ABO/NCLE Basic Certification Exam Prep (Live)

Start
May 15, 2021
8:30 AM (EDT)
End
May 16, 2021
3:30 PM (EDT)
Location
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa 105 N. Bayshore Dr Safety Harbor, FL 34695 (727) 726-1161

Register

LIVE ABO/NCLE Basic Certification Exam Prep Courses:

May 15 & 16, 2021

POF, in conjunction with the National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS), is pleased to offer ABO and NCLE live Basic Certification Exam Prep Courses. These live ABO/NCLE exam preps are 6 hours each and are conducted by full time Opticianry program instructors who will review the exam materials and assist you in your exam preparations. Instructors will answer your questions and help you prepare by studying appropriate materials in advance of your exam.

NCLE Basic Certification Exam Prep Course

May 15, 2021

8:15 am Attendee check-in

8:30 -12:00 pm Welcome & Instruction: Exam Review

12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch on your own

1:00 -3:25 pm Instruction: Exam Review

3:25 -3:30 pm Evaluations, Wrap up & Thank you

ABO Basic Certification Exam Prep Course

May 16, 2021

8:15 am Attendee check-in

8:30 -12:00 pm Welcome & Instruction: Exam Review

12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch on your own

1:00 -3:25 pm Instruction: Exam Review

3:25 -3:30 pm Evaluations, Wrap up & Thank you

Safety Harbor Resort & Spa

105 N. Bayshore Dr

Safety Harbor, FL 34695

(727) 726-1161 x 7100

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: A reduced room rate of $119 will be available to our group. You can make hotel reservations by calling (727) 726-1161 and advising the hotel you are with POF/ ABO & NCLE Review Group to receive the reduced rate.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: POF and all other exam review courses can only be a part of a comprehensive study program. Successful exam candidates have used these POF exam review courses to answer questions and solidify knowledge gained by studying the recommended materials in advance of the reviews and exams. Both ABO & NCLE exams cover vast areas of knowledge from years of experience. We strongly recommend that you use this review course in conjunction with adequate individual study of quality review materials. POF’s recommended study guides for both the ABO and NCLE exams are available on the POF MarketPlace of this website.

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Professional Opticians of Florida Joins Vision Expo East 2021 as an Official Supporter

Start
June 02, 2021
(EDT)
End
June 05, 2021
(EDT)
Location
Orlando, Florida

The Professional Opticians of Florida is proud to be an official partner of Vision Expo East 2021 , taking place June 2-5 in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center.

The Show’s educational program, together with OptiCon®@Vision Expo, will open Wednesday, June 2 and exhibits will open Thursday, 3.

At Vision Expo East, the Professional Opticians of Florida will have a presence at the OptiCon®@Vision Expo Hub and will provide four hours of Florida-required continuing education, including two hours of Laws and Rules and two hours of Reduction of Medical Errors. Course descriptions are included below:

Florida Rules and Regulations

This course is designed to familiarize the licensed optician with the laws and rules in which they operate and ensure they have a complete understanding of them. All Florida-licensed opticians are required to take laws and rules during each renewal. This is to ensure that each optician is acting within the law to protect the public and his or her license.

Following the course, the participant should be able to: understand the difference between laws and rules; understand the basics of F.S 484 3; and understand the basics of 64B12.

Reduction of Medical Errors

This course will begin with a checklist and tips for troubleshooting optical problems and challenges. Then, participants will play an ‘Optical Jeopardy’-inspired game covering topics in ophthalmic optics, contact lenses and anatomy of the eye.

The courses offered by the Professional Opticians of Florida will be part of VisionEd, Vision Expo’s newly branded, sought-after education program dedicated to seminars, workshops and presentations where attendees can hone their craft in courses led by renowned experts in clinical research, business, fashion and marketing. In addition, OptiCon®@Vision Expo returns with an unmatched education program and exhibit hall experience for opticians, contact lens technicians and ophthalmic allied professionals.

To learn more and register to experience the industry’s leading educational offerings, please click here.

For more information on Vision Expo, visit visionexpo.com and follow Vision Expo’s social media channels,  Facebook,  Twitter,  Instagram and LinkedIn.   

Register Now

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2021 Summer Showcase

Start
August 06, 2021
10:00 AM (EDT)
End
August 08, 2021
2:00 PM (EDT)
Location
The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach 32118

Register

Your friends at Professional Opticians of Florida look forward to you joining us at Summer Showcase 2021 at The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort! We put together the best educational speakers in Opticianry for this weekend's event.

For Full Details on Summer Showcase Click Here

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, August 6th

10:00 am Registration Desk Opens

12:00 pm CE Courses Start

Saturday, August 7th

7:30 am Registration Desk Opens

8:00 am CE Courses Start

11:45 am Lunch & Trade Show

Once education ends on Saturday, please join us for Happy Hour in the Trade Show followed by Rock with the Doc and The Pupils

Sunday, August 8th

7:30am Registration Desk Opens

8:00am CE Courses Start

For the Summer Showcase Education Schedule Click Here

The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort

100 N Atlantic Ave

Daytona Beach, FL 32118

(386) 254-8200

Please call The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort toll free 386-254-8200 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $139 per night, or click below to book online. Please book before July 14,2021.

Hotel Booking Code: POF21

No Resort Fees
All Ocean view Rooms
WiFi in every room

Book Hotel

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2021 West Coast Better Vision Conference

Start
September 10, 2021
10:00 AM (EDT)
End
September 12, 2021
1:00 PM (EDT)
Location
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, 105 North Bayshore Dr, Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Register

We are looking forward to seeing you and your colleagues at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa for West Coast Better Vision 2021.

You can look forward to multiple educational options every hour so that you can choose the topics and a schedule that fit your needs. We have scheduled a full, education-packed weekend for Opticians, Apprentice Opticians, and Student Opticians.

For Full Details on West Coast Better Vision Click Here

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, September 10th

10:00 am Registration Desk Opens

12:00 pm CE Courses Start

Saturday, September 11th

7:30 am Registration Desk Opens

8:00 am CE Courses Start

11:45 am Lunch & Trade Show

Once education ends on Saturday, please join us for Happy Hour in the Trade Show followed by Rock with the Doc and The Pupils

Sunday, September 12th

7:30am Registration Desk Opens

8:00am CE Courses Start

For the West Coast Better Vision Education Schedule Click Here

Driving Directions to Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor Resort & Spa

105 N Bayshore Dr, Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Phone: (727) 726-1161 x7100

Provide Group Name: POF WCBV

Cut off for Reservations: August 8, 2021

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Contact Lens Fitting Course for Board Certification

Start
September 10, 2021
12:00 PM (EDT)
End
September 12, 2021
2:00 PM (EDT)
Location
West Coast Better Vision 2021, Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, 105 North Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Spaces left
11

Register

FLORIDA's 20 HOUR CONTACT LENS

FITTING COURSE For Florida Board Certification

A 20 hour course covering state-of-the-art contact lens technologies and fitting techniques presented by the Professional Opticians of Florida.

Become a Florida Board Certified Optician

Earn the required 20 hours of training for your State Board of Opticianry Certification. This course fulfills the educational requirement to enable Florida opticians to fill, fit, adapt, and dispense contact lenses without the supervision of the prescriber. FL Statue 484.002(6)

Education Schedule: New format with an advance live online webinar

Monday, September 6: 6:30 - 9:30pm Live Online Webinar*

Friday, September 10: Noon - 5:00pm at West Coast Better Vision, Classroom & Hands-on

Saturday, September 11: 9:00 - 5:00pm at West Coast Better Vision, Classroom & Hands-on

Sunday, September 12: 9:00 - 2:00pm at West Coast Better Vision, Classroom

The course will include discussion and review of the following topics:

Optical anatomy and physiology
Indications and contra-indications of contact lens fitting
Identification of abnormal responses secondary to contact lens wear
Basic rigid and soft lens design
Fitting and follow-up care
Identify fluorescein contact lens patterns
Special lens designs and fittings
Review of clinical fitting case examples
4 hour hands-on workshop with slit-lamps & keratometers

Additional Information

LOCATION:

Safety Harbor Resort & Spa

105 N. Bayshore Dr

Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Phone: (727) 726-1161

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

A reduced room rate of $99 per night will be available to our group. You can make hotel reservations by calling 727-726-1161 ext-7100 or In House Reservations and advise the hotel you are with POF/West Coast Better Vision Group to receive the reduced rate.

Book before August 8,2021

*Book Early As Hotel Will Sell Out*

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Florida Apprentice Contact Lens Certificate Program @ West Coast Better Vision 2021

Start
September 10, 2021
2:00 PM (EDT)
End
September 12, 2021
4:00 PM (EDT)
Location
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N Bayshore Dr, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Spaces left
10

Register

Florida Apprentice Contact Lens Certificate Program

POF's 32 hours of training in Contact Lenses meets and exceeds the Apprenticeship Requirements and Training Program for an Apprentice with a sponsor that is not Board Certified. (FL Admin Rule 64B12-16.003)

Professional Opticians of Florida (POF) has formulated their experience and resources to offer a contact lens program designed specifically for Apprentice Opticians in Florida. This new 32-hour course will be offered in two parts: 13 hours of on-line training, plus 19 hours of live and hands-on clinical training offered at this conference.

PART 1: Available Online in advance of workshop

The first part of the program is delivered on-line and covers contact Lens theory in carefully designed modules that can be completed at your own pace and in advance of the live hands-on clinical Part 2.

Part 2: Clinical Workshop in Safety Harbor at POF’s West Coast Better Vision 2020 Event

This part of the program is offered as a clinical workshop model, which is delivered over a three-day weekend. You will spend nineteen (19) hours with highly skilled contact lens instructors learning the key concepts of Contact Lens fitting firsthand.

Be sure to register for the Certificate program now and complete the 13 hours of training online in Part 1 before Thursday, September 9th, 2021 to be eligible to take the clinical workshops listed above.

Discounted POF Members Registration Total: $425 (including a complimentary one-year POF apprentice membership)

For additional information on any of these Apprentice Training programs or to register, visit: POF.org/apprentice.

MORE on the Florida Apprentice Contact Lens Certificate Program

105 N Bayshore Dr, Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Phone: (727) 726-1161 ext 7100

Provide Group Name POF/West Coast Better Vision when making your Reservation

$99/ night

Cut off for Reservations: August 8, 2021

· Only 8 Miles from the Majestic Sands of Clearwater Beach

· 15 Minutes to St. Petersburg/ Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

· Just 20 Minutes from Tampa International Airport (TPA)

· Hotel rooms only $99/night

· No Resort fees

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Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation Webinar

When
September 14, 2021
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EDT)
Location
Webinar-Online
Spaces left
95

Register

All Florida Apprentices are required to attend an approved two-hour Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation course within one year of registering for their program. This webinar will fulfill your orientation course requirement and it includes the latest requirements, current deadlines, new exam updates and educational options for Apprentices.

A limited number of spaces are available during the webinar, and they will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. Sponsors of Apprentices can participate on the space available basis, however, this webinar will NOT be available for CE credit to Florida Opticians.

This webinar is FREE to all Future Optician Members of POF and the standard rate of only $29 for Apprentices that are not members of POF. Join POF as a Future Optician Member for only $45 a year for the many benefits, including this Webinar.

Join POF

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2021 Vision Preview Conference

Start
December 03, 2021
10:00 AM (EST)
End
December 05, 2021
3:00 PM (EST)
Location
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Phone: (954) 467-1111

Register

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

This year's Vision Preview 2021 will be hosted at the beautiful Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.

Vision Preview offers you the best Optical Education available anywhere, you can earn all 20 CE hours in one weekend for the renewal of your Florida license.

Here are just some of the benefits for you at this location.

Vision Preview offers you the best in Optical Education available anywhere.

Earn all 20 CE hours for the renewal of your Florida license

Choose from over 50 hours of State approved CE courses for opticians
World class education presented by the Nation's leading instructors
Full Schedule of Education with eight hours of CE on Friday & Saturday

Only POF offers the State of Florida mandated courses on multiple days
Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation & Hand-on Frame Fitting Workshop available
Visit International Optical vendors & suppliers at Vision Preview Exhibits
Attend and support your profession

Full Details on Vision Preview 2021