Chapter 4726-5 Applicants; Apprentices

(A) Persons desiring a license to engage in optical dispensing shall file an application with the board, on forms approved by the board, establishing the following information:

(1) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age, and;

(2) The applicant is of good moral character as defined in paragraph (L)(M) of rule 4726-3-06 of the Administrative Code, and;

(3) The applicant is a graduate of a secondary school recognized by the state department of education in this state, or a similar education agency in another state; or has attained an educational equivalent as defined in paragraph (N) of rule 4726-3-06 of the Administrative Code,

(4) The applicant has attained either of the following:

(a) Two-year college level program in optical dispensing, approved by the board, that includes, but is not limited to courses of study in mathematics, science, english, anatomy and physiology of the eye, applied optics, ophthalmic optics, measurement and inspection of lenses, lens grinding and edging, ophthalmic lens design, keratometry, and fitting and adjusting of spectacle lenses and frames and contact lenses, including methods of fitting lenses and post-fitting care; or

(b) Two years of supervised experience of at least 1000 hours per year in optical dispensing as a registered apprentice under the direct supervision of a licensed optician, or as an employee of an optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology. Not more than one year of such experience may be continuous, supervised optical laboratory experience of not less than thirty hours per week.

(5) The applicant has successfully completed the state board qualification examination for either the spectacle dispensing license, the contact lens dispensing license or a combination of both examinations for a spectacle-contact lens dispensing license. Said application for licensure must be made within twelve months of the notification to the applicant that he has successfully completed the examination for the license sought.

(B) Persons desiring a license to engage in ocularistry shall file an application with the board, on forms approved by the board, establishing the following:

(1) The applicant has successfully completed the state board qualification examination for ocularist;

(2) The applicant has completed a five year apprenticeship in the practice of designing, fabricating, and fitting artificial eyes or prostheses associated with the appearance or function of the human eye, under the direct supervision of a licensed ocularist or the equivalent work experience from an unlicensed state;

(3) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age;

(4) The applicant is of good moral character as defined in paragraph (M) of rule 4726-3-06 of the Administrative Code;

(5) The applicant is a graduate of a secondary school recognized by the state department of education in this state, or a similar education agency in another state; or has attained an educational equivalent as defined in paragraph (N) of rule 4726-3-06 of the Administrative Code.

Effective: 01/23/2006

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/07/2005 and 01/11/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4725.44

Rule Amplifies: 4725.47

Prior Effective Dates: 11/29/79, 8/4/94(Emer.), 3/18/95, 4/10/01

(A) All unlicensed persons upon becoming employed for the purpose of dispensing optical aids or in the practice of designing, fabricating, and fitting artificial eyes or prostheses associated with the appearance or function of the human eye, shall register annually with the board as an apprentice optician or ocularist. Such registration shall occur within thirty days of employment. Registration shall expire on the last day of June of each year.

(1) Persons desiring to take the board examination for spectacle dispensing shall serve their apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed spectacle dispensing optician or a licensed spectacle-contact lens dispensing optician.

(2) Persons desiring to take the board examination for contact lens dispensing shall serve their apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed contact lens dispensing optician or a licensed spectacle-contact lens dispensing optician.

(3) Persons desiring to take the board examinations for both spectacle dispensing and contact lens dispensing shall serve their apprenticeship according to the provisions of paragraphs (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this rule.

(B) Persons registering to become qualified to take the ocularist examination for licensure shall serve their apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed ocularist.

(C) All licensed dispensing opticians or licensed ocularist engaged in the education and training of apprentices shall cause their apprentices to become registered by the board. No licensed dispensing optician or licensed ocularist engage in training apprentices shall supervise more than three apprentices at any one time.

Effective: 01/23/2006

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/07/2005 and 01/11/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4725.44

Rule Amplifies: 4725.52

Prior Effective Dates: 11/29/79, 8/4/94(Emer.), 10/14/94, 4/10/01