Michigan Optometry CE in 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

If you practice in Michigan, staying compliant with CE requirements is usually straightforward, but it still helps to understand exactly how the rules work so nothing slips through the cracks as 2026 approaches. Michigan tends to keep its licensure framework stable, which means no surprise last-minute changes, but the state does expect ODs to complete specific content areas that support safe patient care and professional accountability.

Michigan requires 40 hours of CE every two years, and those hours must fall within clearly defined topic categories. The state structures CE in a way that encourages well rounded professional development, balancing clinical skill building with essential public safety topics like ethics, pain management, and human trafficking awareness. Most ODs meet these requirements easily, but only if they intentionally choose courses that satisfy each category instead of loading up on a single area like ocular disease or pharmacology.

Within the 40 hour total, Michigan requires specific content:

• 1 hour in pain and symptom management, which can include both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches

• 2 hours in implicit bias training, required for every renewal cycle

• Human trafficking identification training, required once for licensure but not required for every renewal

• CE from approved sponsors only, which includes COPE for optometrists

These hours count toward the 40 hour total rather than being added on top of it. The implicit bias requirement is one that often catches ODs off guard because it must meet Michigan’s defined standards. Choosing a COPE approved course is a safe option when available, but the state allows a broader set of approved providers for this category as long as the curriculum follows Michigan’s rules on self assessment, case reflection, and strategies for mitigating bias in clinical care.

Michigan does not limit online learning in the way some other states do, which gives ODs the flexibility to complete the majority of their CE remotely. However, the state places strong emphasis on course integrity and verification. That means it is smart to choose CE providers who document identity verification, maintain reliable assessment standards, and provide certificates with all required elements. Using providers who report to CE Broker is not mandatory in Michigan, but it does help streamline documentation in case of an audit.

Although Michigan has not announced major CE changes for 2026, national trends suggest increased interest in strengthening assessment quality and clarifying what counts as interactive versus asynchronous education. While these updates would not fundamentally alter Michigan’s CE framework, they may influence which courses are most aligned with future expectations. Selecting CE from providers who already follow NBEO style testing and verification standards is a practical way to stay future proof without extra effort.

The safest approach for Michigan ODs is to map their 40 hours early in the cycle, complete the required categories first, and then add clinical coursework that supports their evolving practice needs. For many clinicians, this means prioritizing pharmacology, ocular disease, glaucoma management, and pain symptom evaluation, especially as patient complexity continues to grow.