Chapter 4725-3 | Examination and Licensing

Rule 4725-3-01 | Application for licensure.

• Effective: November 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each person who wishes to be considered for a certificate of licensure to practice must complete a formal application for such consideration by the board.

(B) Each completed optometrist application must be accompanied by a credit card payment, in the amount of the current licensure fee.

(C) Each optometrist applicant must cause the official final transcript and any partial credits from any accredited optometry school(s) to be forwarded directly to the board from the school(s) attended.

(D) The licensing examination for optometrists shall contain these required parts:

(1) Part I of the licensing examination shall consist of basic science, human biology, ocular and visual biology, theoretical ophthalmic, and physiological optics and psychology.

(2) Part II of the licensing examination shall consist of clinical science, systemic conditions, the treatment and management of ocular disease, refractive, oculomotor, sensory integrative conditions, perceptual conditions, public health, and the legal issues regarding the clinical practice of optometry.

(3) Part III of the licensing examination shall consist of tests in patient care and management, clinical skills, and the visual recognition and interpretation of clinical signs.

(4) All optometry candidates for licensure by examination must provide verification of passing all parts of the examinations with passing scores as determined by the national board of examiners in optometry and the state vision professionals board. The board may accept the examinations given by the national board of examiners in optometry or any equivalent examinations as determined by the board.

(5) In addition to the requirements of this rule, all applicants for licensure as an optometrist shall submit to a criminal records check completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with section 4725.121 of the Revised Code. The results of the criminal records check shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice as an optometrist. The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with this rule, the applicant requesting the criminal records check shall:

(a) Provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant's name and address and with the name address for the state vision professionals board.

(b) Request that the bureau of criminal identification and investigation obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant.

(c) If an applicant for licensure submitted to the board remains incomplete for one year, the application shall be considered void.

(d) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(e) The appropriate certificate of licensure shall be issued electronically by the board after approval.

(E) Any person seeking licensure as an optician from the state vision professionals board after having successfully passed the required examinations, shall make application in a manner prescribed by the board for such licensure within three years of the date of the exam that was taken and passed.

(1) Optician applications shall be:

(a) Accompanied by the non-refundable fee in a form established by the board and as prescribed in division (B) of section 4725.48 of the Revised Code; and,

(b) Accompanied by such evidence, statements, or documents as specified on the application form.

(2) An applicant for initial licensure as a dispensing optician shall:

(a) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(b) Be honest and trustworthy;

(c) Be a graduate of a secondary school recognized by the state department of education in this state, or similar educational agency in another state or has attained an educational equivalent such as proof of having successfully passed the general educational development (GED) examination or a GED certificate of high school equivalency diploma.

(3) Has successfully completed either of the following:

(a) A two-year college level program in optical dispensing accredited by a regional accreditation organization that is recognized or approved by the United States department of education, but is not limited to, courses of study in:

(i) Mathematics;

(ii) Science;

(iii) English;

(iv) Anatomy and physiology of the eye;

(v) Applied optics;

(vi) Ophthalmic optics;

(vii) Measurement and inspection of lenses, lens grinding and edging;

(viii) Ophthalmic lens design;

(ix) Keratometry; and

(x) Fitting and adjusting of spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses, including methods of fitting contact lenses and post-fitting care.

(b) For a spectacle dispensing optician license, one thousand hours of supervised experience under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology.

(c) For a spectacle-contact lens dispensing optician license, one thousand five hundred hours of supervised experience under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology.

(d) The board may grant a spectacle dispensing or spectacle-contact lens dispensing license with consideration of years of experience from an unlicensed state, employer recommendation letter(s) and other relevant documentation based on the successful completion of either the national qualifying exam or completion of the american board of opticianry practical or the national contact lens examiners practical exam.

(e) Under section 4725.48 of the Revised Code, the board may grant an individual a conditional license that lasts for one year. After the one-year period has expired, the license is no longer considered conditional, and the individual shall be considered fully licensed.

(F) The applicant has successfully completed the state board national qualifying examination for either the spectacle dispensing license or a spectacle-contact lens dispensing license.

(G) In addition to the requirements of this rule, all applicants for licensure as a dispensing optician shall submit to a criminal records check completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with section 4725.501 of the Revised Code. The results of the criminal records check shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice as a dispensing optician. The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation. In accordance with this rule, the applicant requesting the criminal records check shall:

(1) Provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant's name and address and with the name and address for the state vision professionals board; and,

(2) Request that the bureau of criminal identification and investigation obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant.

(3) If an application for licensure submitted to the board remains incomplete for one year, the application shall be considered void.

(4) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(5) The appropriate license and wall certificate shall be issued electronically by the board after approval.

(H) If an application for licensure submitted to the board remains incomplete for one year, the application shall be considered void.

(I) The appropriate license and wall certificate shall be issued upon approval by the board no later than sixty days after approval by the board.

(J) For purposes of Chapters 4725-1 to 4725-20 of the Administrative Code, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Active license" means the license held by a dispensing optician who has fulfilled all requirements of the board for initial licensure or for licensure renewal.

(2) "Active registration" means the registration held by an apprentice who has fulfilled all requirements of the board for initial registration or for registration renewal.

(3) "Board" means the state vision professionals board.

(4) "Spectacle apprenticeship" means one thousand hours of supervised experience under a licensed optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology. Registration with the board is not required when the learning experience is gained under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology. All learning experiences shall include, but is not limited to:

(a) One thousand hours of supervised experience under a licensed optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology, but not limited to:

(i) Use and function of lensometer;

(ii) Use and function of pupilometer;

(iii) Use and function of lens clock, determination of curve and warpage;

(iv) Determination and purpose of pupillary distance;

(v) Determination and purpose of lens decentration;

(vi) Determination and purpose of vertex distance;

(vii) Determination of prism;

(viii) Determination of frame size to patient;

(ix) Determination of frame measurements;

(x) Determination of lens measurements;

(xi) Adjusting frames;

(xii) Anatomy and physiology of the eye;

(xiii) Interpretation, without altering, of a spectacle prescription;

(xiv) Ethical and professional conduct including confidentiality of patient information;

(xv) Appropriate documentation of the care provided to the patient;

(xvi) Optical terminology;

(xvii) Principles of patient education; and,

(xviii) Verification of finished product to the current prescription.

(b) [Reserved]

(5) "Spectacle-contact lens apprenticeship" means either:

(a) One thousand five hundred hours of supervised experience under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology. Registration with the board is not required when the individual is engaged in the learning experience under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology. All learning experiences shall include, but are not limited to:

(i) Anatomy and physiology of the eye;

(ii) Interpretation, without altering, of a contact lens prescription;

(iii) Ethical and professional conduct including confidentiality of patient information;

(iv) Appropriate documentation of the care provided;

(v) Use and function of the keratometer;

(vi) Use and function of the slit lamp;

(vii) Principles of proper lens selection;

(viii) Optical terminology

(ix) Use and function of the radiuscope;

(x) Use and function of the lensometer;

(xi) Selection of lens material and design based on patient assessment;

(xii) Diagnostic fit and evaluation;

(xiii) Principles of patient education;

(xiv) Verification of finished product to the current prescription; or,

(b) Five hundred hours of supervised experience under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology of a registered apprentice who is also currently licensed as a spectacle dispensing optician. Registration with the board is not required when the individual is engaged in the learning experience under the direct supervision of a licensed optometrist or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology. All learning experiences shall include, but not limited to:

(i) Anatomy and physiology of the eye;

(ii) Interpretation, but not altering, of a contact lens prescription;

(iii) Ethical and professional conduct including confidentiality of patient information

(iv) Use and function of the keratometer;

(v) Use and function of the slit lamp;

(vi) Optical terminology;

(vii) Principles of proper lens selection;

(viii) Use and function of the radiuscope;

(ix) Use and function of the lensometer;

(x) Selection of lens material and design based on patient assessment;

(xi) Diagnostic fit and evaluation;

(xii) Principles of patient education;

(xiii) Verification of finished product to current prescription.

(6) "Apprentice optician" means any person registered with the board for the purpose of engaging in the training and education in the practice of dispensing optical aids while under the direct supervision of the licensed dispensing opticians specified on the apprentice registration forms and as indicated on the current, valid registration cards issued by the board to the registered apprentice.

(7) "Direct supervision" means initial and ongoing direction, procedural guidance, observation and evaluation, as appropriate, by a licensed optician who is registered with the board as the supervisor of the apprentice; and, who is always continually available in person within the optical area when the apprentice is engaged in optical dispensing. The registered licensed dispensing optician shall supervise a maximum of three apprentices.

(8) "Educational equivalent" means the proof of having successfully passed the general education development (GED) examinations or a GED certificate of high school equivalency diploma.

(9) "Free of contagious or infectious disease" means demonstrating no clinically evident illness that would impair the ability to provide safe opticianry care.

(10) "Expired license" means the status of the license of a dispensing optician who has failed to fulfill all requirements of licensure renewal.

(11) "Expired registration" means the status of the registration of an apprentice who has failed to fulfill all requirements of apprentice registration renewal or upon removal from supervision by the registered supervisor.

(12) "Licensed dispensing optician" means a person holding a current, valid license issued by the board that authorizes the person to engage in optical dispensing.

(13) "Licensed spectacle dispensing optician" means a licensed dispensing optician authorized to engage in the dispensing of optical aids other than contact lenses.

(14) "Licensed spectacle-contact lens dispensing optician" means a licensed dispensing optician authorized to engage in the dispensing of any optical aid.

(15)

(16) "Optical aid" has the same meaning as division (A) of section 4725.40 of the Revised Code.

(17) "Optical dispensing" has the same meaning as division (B) of section 4725.40 of the Revised Code.

(18) "Optical" means the space reserved for the optical department or the location where care is provided. This includes the lab area, fitting area, dispensing area, reception area and waiting area. This does not include areas of a larger company or building where the optical department or shop is leased or confined to its own space.

(19) "Prescription" means the written or verbal directions or instructions as specified by a physician or licensed optometrist licensed by any state for preparing an optical aid for a patient.

(20) "Endorsement" has the same meaning as "reciprocity" and means the process by which a license to practice as a dispensing optician is issued to an individual who is licensed in another state in accordance with rules of the board and after the following has occurred:

(a) Verification of licensure in good standing received directly from the state of the current licensure at the time of application; and,

(b) Receipt of completed application and fee in the form required by the board, and the criminal records check by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with section 4725.501 of the Revised Code.

(c) "Registration" means meeting all requirements of the board for the authority to practice as an apprentice optician under the direct supervision of a designated, licensed dispensing optician.

Last updated November 30, 2023 at 8:30 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09, 4725.44, 5903.03
Amplifies: 4725.12, 4725.44
Five Year Review Date: 11/20/2028

Rule 4725-3-08 | Requirements for licensure by endorsement, dispensing optician or ocularist educated outside the United States of America.

• Effective: November 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Optometrist:

(1) The board will recognize for certificate of licensure by endorsement any optometrist meeting the requirements of section 4725.18 of the Revised Code who has an active license in good standing issued by another state board of optometry or a province in Canada.

(2) The applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet the qualifications as set forth in section 4725.12 of the Revised Code. The applicant must provide proof of being in an active practice of optometry for at least three years immediately preceding the application. The board may require that the applicant pass all or part of the licensing examination accepted by the board under section 4725.11 of the Revised Code if the board determines that testing is necessary to determine the applicants qualifications for issuance of a certificate of licensure.

(3) If the applicant has not been involved in an active practice of optometry for the past three years the board may require additional testing as deemed necessary. The minimum requirement for such non-practicing applicants to be granted licensure by endorsement would be passing scores in the clinical skills section of the examination given by the national board of examiners in optometry or any equivalent examination as determined by the board.

(4) The board may require copies of all testing given by the state or province from the state board or province in which the applicant was initially examined to determine that the test was equivalent to the Ohio examination at the time the applicant was licensed in that state or province.

(B) Optician:

(1) The board will recognize for certificate of licensure by endorsement any dispensing optician meeting the requirements of sections 4725.48 and 4725.57 of the Revised Code who has an active license or registration in good standing issued by another state board or educated outside the United States of America.

(2) All applications for initial certificate of licensure as a dispensing optician in Ohio by endorsement shall be submitted to the board in a form designated by the board.

(3) Applications shall be:

(a) Accompanied by the fee in a form established by the board; and,

(b) Accompanied by such evidence, statement, or documents as specified on the application form, including but not limited to:

(i) Verification of licensure in good standing received directly from the state of the current licensure or registration at the time of application; and,

(ii) Shall submit to criminal records check completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with section 4725.501 of the Revised Code. The results of the criminal records check shall be received by the board prior to the issuance of a license to practice as a dispensing optician. In accordance with this rule, the applicant requesting the criminal records check shall:

(a) Provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant's name and address and with the name and address for the Ohio vision professionals board; and,

(b) Cause a records check to be conducted with the federal bureau of investigation regarding applicant.

(4) The board will only accept the results of a criminal records check that is submitted to the board directly by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(5) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(6) Be honest and trustworthy;

(7) Be a graduate of a secondary school recognized by the state department of education in this state, or similar educational agency in another state or has attained an educational equivalent such as proof of having successfully passed the general educational development (GED) examination or a GED certificate of high school equivalency diploma.

(8) Have successfully completed either of the following:

(a) A two-year college level program in optical dispensing approved by the board that includes, but is not limited to, courses of study in:

(i) Mathematics;

(ii) Science;

(iii) English;

(iv) Anatomy and physiology of the eye;

(v) Applied optics;

(vi) Measurement and inspection of lenses;

(vii) lens grinding and edging;

(viii) Ophthalmic optics;

(ix) Ophthalmic lens design;

(x) Keratometry; and,

(xi) Fitting and adjusting of spectacle lenses, frames and contact lenses, including methods of fitting lenses and post-fitting care; or,

(b) For a spectacle dispensing optician license, one thousand hours of supervised experience under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology; or,

(c) For a spectacle-contact lens dispensing optician license, one thousand five hundred hours of supervised experience under a licensed dispensing optician, optometrist, or physician engaged in the practice of ophthalmology.

(9) The applicant has successfully completed the state board national qualifying examination for either the spectacle dispensing license, or combination of both examinations for a spectacle-contact lens dispensing license;

(10) If an application for licensure by endorsement submitted to the board remains incomplete for one year, the application shall be considered void;

(11) The appropriate license and wall certificate shall be issued electronically by the board after approval.

Last updated February 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4725.09, 4725.44
Amplifies: 4725.18, 4725.44
Five Year Review Date: 11/20/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 10/20/2003, 8/30/2019

Rule 4725-3-09 | Issuance of certificates, renewal procedures, records.

• Effective: July 26, 2025
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

This rule was filed with the Legislative Service Commission in PDF format and is presented here as filed.
View Rule Text

Last updated August 7, 2025 at 9:49 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09, 4725.44, 5903.03
Amplifies: Amplify, 4725.07, 4725.16, 4725.44
Five Year Review Date: 7/26/2030
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1999

Rule 4725-3-12 | Licensure for military members and spouses.

• Effective: November 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A military member or whose spouse is ordered to active military duty in this state is eligible for a military license to practice as a licensed optometrist, optician in accordance with Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code.

(B) An application for a military license shall meet the requirements set forth in section 4743.041 of the Revised Code and include the following:

(1) Proof that the applicant is an active duty service member of the uniformed services of the United States or is the spouse;

(2) Proof that the applicant holds a valid, unrestricted license to practice in the professions issued by another jurisdiction of the United States;

(3) Proof that the applicant or spouse is on military duty in Ohio; and

(4) The initial application fee will not be charged to an applicant who qualifies under this rule.

(5) Proof the applicant complied with Chapter 4776. of the Revised Code and has obtained a criminal records check, as prescribed by the board.

(C) A military license shall not be valid for a period longer than six years, and is subject to renewal with proof of continued eligibility during the renewal cycle.

(D) An individual who is ordered into active military duty in Ohio is eligible for a military license.

(E) Definitions related to military service and veteran status:

(1) "Military duty" has the same meaning as in section 4743.041 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Member" means any person who is serving in the military.

(3) "Veteran" means any person who has completed service in the military and who has been discharged under honorable conditions, or who has been transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.

(4) "Active guard and reserve" has the meaning defined in 10 U.S.C. 101.

(5) "Uniformed services" has the meaning defined in 10 U.S.C. 101.

(F) The board shall, within twenty-four business hours after receiving the report under division (A) of section 4776.04 of the Revised Code, notify the applicant applying for an expedited license in accordance with this rule that the board has received the results of a criminal records check.

(G) The board shall issue an expedited license to practice as a licensed optometrist or optician under this rule, provided that the applicant meets the requirements of this section, within fourteen days of having received the results of a criminal records check.

(H) The board shall deny an applicant the license or revoke the license under this section if any of the following circumstances occur:

(1) The applicant's license issued by another state or jurisdiction expires or is revoked, or the individual is not in good standing.

(2) With respect to an applicant who was eligible for a license under this section as the spouse of an individual on military duty, six months have elapsed since the divorce, dissolution or annulment of the marriage; and

(3) The individual is in violation of section 4725.53 of the Revised Code or rules adopted thereunder.

(I) License renewal

(1) Licensed optometrists, opticians, serving in the military shall be exempted from the biennial renewal fee provided written documentation is submitted to the board office evidencing that said licensee or the licensee's spouse, is on active duty in the military. Upon receipt of said documentation and submission of the required continuing education hours, the board shall waive the biennial fee and renewal shall be issued to the licensee.

(2) Those licensees who had been actively engaged in the military during the biennial period and submitted satisfactory evidence to the board of honorable discharge or separation under honorable conditions shall be exempt from the biennial renewal fee for that year.

(3) The board shall waive the requirement of continuing optometric education for any optometrist who is serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any other state or who has received an initial certificate of licensure during the nine-month period which ended on the last day of December of an even-numbered year.

(4) The board shall consider relevant education, training, or service completed by a licensee as a member of the armed forces of the United States or reserve components thereof, the Ohio national guard, the Ohio military reserve, the Ohio naval militia, or the national guard of any other state in determining whether a licensee has fulfilled required continuing education. In accordance with section 5903.03 of the Revised Code, the following military programs of training, military primary specialties, and lengths of service are substantially equivalent to or exceed the education and experience requirements for a license as a:

(a) Dispensing spectacle or spectacle-contact lens optician.

(i) Military programs of training.

(ii) Tri-service optician school, (TOPS), a division of the naval ophthalmic support and training activity is substantially equivalent to the education requirements for licensure as a spectacle dispensing optician.

(b) Military primary specialties.

(i) Army: optical laboratory specialist (MOS-6th);

(ii) Navy: optician (HM-8463); and

(iii) Air force: optometry (4V0X1).

(c) Lengths of service.

(5) The applicants will have met the experience requirements for licensure if the applicant has completed the training program listed in paragraph (J)(4)(a) of this rule and has served for a minimum of eighteen months in one of the military specialties listed in paragraph (J)(4)(b) of this rule.

(J) Prepare a report on the number and type of licenses or registrations issued during the fiscal year under this rule. The report shall be provided to the director of veteran's services not later than thirty days after the end of the fiscal year.

Last updated December 12, 2023 at 10:35 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09, 5903.03
Amplifies: 4725.12, 5903.03
Five Year Review Date: 11/20/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 4/29/2021

Rule 4725-3-13 | Fees.

• Effective: November 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The state vision professionals board fees are nonrefundable.

(1) Optometrist:

(a) Three hundred fifty dollars for application for a certificate of licensure to practice optometry;

(b) Three hundred fifty dollars for renewal of a certificate to practice optometry;

(c) One hundred twenty-five dollars for late completion or submission, or both, of continuing optometric education;

(d) One hundred twenty-five dollars for late renewal of a certificate of licensure that has expired;

(e) Three hundred fifty dollars for reinstatement of application of certificate of licensure.

(2) Optician:

(a) One hundred ninety-five dollars for application in optical dispensing;

(b) One hundred ninety-five dollars for renewal application in optical dispensing;

(c) Seventy-five dollars for late renewal of a certificate of licensure that has expired;

(d) Five-dollars duplicate fee of certificate of licensure.

(3) Apprentice:

(a) Twenty dollars for each initial registration;

(b) No charge to renew the registration.

(B) Additional fees to cover administrative costs incurred by the board, including fees for replacing licenses issued by the board and providing rosters of currently licensed optometrists. Such fees shall be established at a regular meeting of the board and shall comply with any applicable guidelines or policies set by the department of administrative services or the office of budget and management.

(C) The board, subject to the approval of the controlling board, may establish fees in excess of the amounts specified in paragraph (A) of this rule if the fees do not exceed the amounts specified by more than fifty per cent.

(D) All receipts of the board, from any source, shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund created in section 4743.05 of the Revised Code.

Last updated December 12, 2023 at 10:35 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4725.52
Amplifies: 4725.52, 4725.34, 4725.48, 4725.50, 4725.51
Five Year Review Date: 11/20/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 8/30/2019