WHEREAS, all member boards require CE for maintenance of licensure; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of these requirements to maintain continued competence within their respective jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the continuing education system is to ensure the public welfare; and

WHEREAS, COPE's mission is to accredit quality optometric continuing education on behalf of the member boards; and,

WHEREAS, the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education "Standards for Commercial Support" have been accepted in the health care community; and,

WHEREAS, industry support of continuing education has increased since the inception of COPE; and,

WHEREAS, the benefits of industry support are well known however this support has created a conflict of interest that must be resolved to protect the integrity of COPE accredited CE; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, at this 90th Annual Meeting, do wholeheartedly support the implementation of the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education "Standards for Commercial Support" to enhance optometric continuing education for the benefit of the public welfare.