Exam Schedules & Deadlines and Fees
Applications and
Information on How to Apply (download
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Licensure Requirements
NOTE: Prior to applying to take the Florida Opticianry
Licensure Examination you must successfully pass the National Opticianry
Competency Examination and the Contact Lens Registry Examination through
the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners,
10341 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 691-8356 or (800)
296-1379.
Please read all application instructions, and the laws
and rules governing the practice of Opticianry, before completing your
application. Within 30 days of the date we receive your application and
fees you will be sent a written application status notice or your
eligibility letter, as applicable.
No application is complete until all required
documentation and fees are received. Your application will not be
processed until it is complete. Applications are reviewed in date order
received.
Licensure by
Examination
Submit a completed application
form and fee - should be postmarked at least 90 days in advance of
the scheduled date of examination. To meet the exam deadline your
application must be complete at least 60 days in advance of the date of
the examination.
Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall
apply to the department to take a licensure examination. The department
shall examine each applicant who the board certifies:
- Has completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable
application fee and an examination fee;
- Is not less than 18 years of age;
- Is a graduate of an accredited high school or possesses a certificate of equivalency of a high school education; and
- Has completed one of the following:
- Received an associate degree, or equivalent, in opticianry from an accredited school; or
- Is licensed to practice opticianry in another state and has actively
practiced in such state for more than 3 of the last 5 years; or
- Has actively practiced opticianry in another state for more than 5 of
the last 7 years and provides tax or business records documenting such;
or
- Has registered as an apprentice with the department and completed 6,240
hours of training under supervision of a Florida licensed optician,
optometrist or physician. These requirements must be met within 5 years
after the date of registration.
Initial licensure consists of the following requirements:
- Passing score on the Florida opticianry licensure examination;
- The original certificate documenting completion of a two-hour initial
licensure laws and rules course from a board approved laws and rules
course provider;
- Copy of certificate documenting completion of a board approved two-hour
continuing education course relating to the prevention of medical
errors; and
- Payment of initial licensure fee within one year of notification of
successful passage of the licensure examination.
NOTE: For additional provider information visit www.cebroker.com.
If licensed in another state, territory, or jurisdiction
of the United States, must have license verification form sent directly
to Board office from that office that issued the license or
certification.
If applicant fails to complete the application within 12
months of its receipt in the Board office, he shall be required to apply
as an initial applicant.
Apprentice Program
To qualify you must:
-
Be at least 18 year of age.
-
Submit a completed sponsor registration form
-
Submit a copy of high school diploma, transcript or
equivalency certificate
-
2x2 photograph
Once qualified:
-
An approval letter will notify the applicant of their
Optician Apprentice number and starting date.
-
Apprentice Opticians may perform opticianry tasks only
under the direct supervision and physical presence of a licensed
Optician, Ophthalmologist or Optometrist licensed under the laws of this
state. An optician must be licensed in this state for at least one year
before providing supervision.
-
A sponsor may only supervise 2 Apprentices at any given
time.
-
An Apprentice may have 2 sponsors, a primary and a
secondary sponsor, and may only work at the location(s) specified on the
application.
-
The primary sponsor shall be responsible for the
completion, filing, signature and verification of the Apprenticeship
Sponsor Attestation Form to the department within six months of the
apprentice's completion of the program.
-
If an Apprentice terminates apprenticeship with a
sponsor or the sponsor is no longer providing training to an
apprentice, the sponsor shall submit a completed Apprenticeship
Sponsor Attestation Form to the department within 30 days from the
date of termination.
-
Sponsors are required to keep copies of all apprentice
records for a period of 6 years or one year subsequent to the date the
apprentice is licensed as an optician, and pursuant to Chapter
64B12-6.009, F.A.C., the sponsor shall provide copies of the
apprentice’s time records to the Board, upon request.
-
An apprenticeship shall consist of 6,240 hours of
specified training, completed within 5 years after the apprentice’s
first registration with the Department. Each credit hour earned at a
board-approved school of opticianry shall count as 86.67
apprenticeship hours.
Board Certification
Only licensed opticians certified by the Board pursuant
to Section 484.002, F.S. and Rule Chapter 64B12-14.002 may use the title
Board Certified Optician. To qualify for certification you must:
-
Submit completed application to the Board.
-
Submit application fee of $50.00 - which is
non-refundable.
-
Submit proof of successful completion of a Board
approved 20 hour course for Certification within a period of no more
than 2 years prior to application.
-
Submit proof of having passed the National Contact Lens
Registry Examination.
-
Submit proof the applicant’s license to practice
opticianry in this state is not subject to any current disciplinary
action.
Board certified opticians are required to dedicate 4 of
the 20 CE hours to technical courses relating to contact lens theory and
practice in order to renew their Board Certification.
Optical Establishment
-
Must obtain a permit to operate an optical establishment
-
Submit application
form for Optical Establishment
-
Submit registration and licensure fee of $100.00
-
Board must be notified of change of address or ownership.
Opticianry |
