Rule 420-5-.01 - Application and Examination Requirements(1) The optical dispensing practical examination shall be held a minimum of twice a year.(2) Only complete applications submitted with the required fee and all attachments and documents will be accepted by the Board. Each application must be accompanied by the following attachments: (a) A Secure and Verifiable Document and Affidavit of Citizenship as defined in Code Section 50-36-2;(b) Copy of high school diploma or its equivalent as defined by the State Board of Education;(c) If applying on the basis of education, the applicant must have satisfactorily completed an opticianry degree or diploma from a recognized school of ophthalmic dispensing approved by the Board as defined in 420-5-.01(d) below. An official college transcript and copy of diploma or degree indicating the graduation date must accompany the application.(d) A recognized school of ophthalmic dispensing as referenced in OCGA 43-29-7(b)(4), is one which provides an ophthalmic dispensing program which shall include approved curriculum of opticianry courses leading to a diploma, degree or certificate that is approved by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Recognition may be granted to other opticianry educational programs by the Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians on a provisional basis pending application, acceptable quarterly reports on progress to the board. Failure to report acceptable progressive reports quarterly will result in withdrawal of recognition of the program by the Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians.(e) Applicants applying on the basis of education and experience must submit a transcript and an affidavit that specifies total course clock hours completed from a program. The applicant must also furnish an affidavit of work hours engaged in ophthalmic dispensing activities approved by the Board while under the direct supervision of a Georgia licensed optician, a Georgia licensed physician or a Georgia licensed optometrist. The total combined number of hours must be a minimum of 3000 hours; and not less than two calendar years;(f) Applicants applying on the basis of practical experience shall furnish an affidavit of work hours engaged in ophthalmic dispensing activities approved by the Board while under the direct supervision of a Georgia licensed optician, a Georgia licensed physician or a Georgia licensed optometrist. The total of hours must be a minimum of 3,000 hours and not less than two calendar years;(g) Applicants applying on the basis of formal home study programs through the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program with the National Academy of Opticianry or other programs approved by the board must furnish an affidavit of having successfully completed the program.(3) Subject matter of examination shall be related to ophthalmic dispensing.(4) Prior to issuance of a license, applicant must submit current National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE or ABO Basic) and Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE or NCLE Basic) certifications in addition to certification of completion of the ABO Practical and NCLE Practical exams.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 420-5-.01
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-29-6, 43-29-7.
Original Rule entitled "Examination Requirements" adopted. F. and eff. June 30, 1965.Amended: F. June 4, 1975; eff. June 24, 1975.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Mar. 3, 1981; eff. Mar. 23, 1981.Amended: F. Feb. 4, 1986; eff. Feb. 24, 1986.Amended: F. May 9, 1986; eff. May 29, 1986.Amended: F. May 16, 1990; eff. June 5, 1990.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Application and Examination Requirements" adopted. F. Mar. 14, 2007; eff. Apr. 3, 2007.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Jan. 30, 2008; eff. Feb. 19, 2008.Amended: F. Jan. 20, 2015; eff. Feb. 9, 2015.Amended: F. Oct. 2, 2015; eff. Oct. 22, 2015.Amended: F. May 31, 2016; eff. June 20, 2016.