Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 420 - GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF DISPENSING OPTICIANS › Chapter 420-8 - PRACTICAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE › Rule 420-8-.01 - Practical Training and Experience

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
In order to be admitted to the examination pursuant to that
				provision of O.C.G.A. §
								43-29-7(b)(4) 
				 which provides "practical training and experience of a grade and character
				satisfactory to the Board for not less than two years under the supervision of
				a dispensing optician, a licensed physician, or a licensed optometrist:
				Provided, however, that any time spent in a recognized school shall be
				considered as a part of the apprenticeship period provided herein", the
				applicant must submit documentation to the Board with his/her application to
				establish the satisfaction of such provisions, the satisfaction of which will
				be determined under the following standards:
(a) Effective July 1, 2008, any person
			 wishing to qualify under the apprenticeship statute shall make application to
			 register with the Board prior to beginning the apprenticeship along with the
			 application fee as determined by the Board. The registration shall identify the
			 supervising licensed physician, licensed optometrist, or licensed dispensing
			 optician and the mailing address and telephone number of the primary location
			 where the apprenticeship training shall occur; provided, however, that in
			 addition to the primary location, such training may be furnished at other
			 locations under proper supervision.
(b) "Practical training and experience of a
			 grade and character satisfactory to the Board for not less than two years"
			 means two (2) calendar years and shall include, at a minimum, 3,000 hours
			 experience engaged in apprenticeship functions and studies which shall include
			 (but not be limited to) instruction in ophthalmic optics, optical laboratory
			 materials and techniques, eye anatomy and physiology, related laws and
			 regulations, ophthalmic dispensing theory and application, and basic contact
			 lens theory.
(c) Instruction may
			 also be evidenced by certificates from recognized schools of opticianry with
			 the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education or formal home study
			 programs through the Career Progression Program with the National Academy of
			 Opticianry or other programs approved in advance by the Board.
(d) "Under the supervision of a licensed
			 dispensing optician, licensed physician or a licensed optometrist" means that
			 the appropriate licensed practitioner(s) must be on the premises where the
			 practical training and experience is being acquired for every hour of
			 apprenticeship sought to be considered in fulfillment of this
			 requirement.
(e) There may be no
			 more than three (3) apprentices under a supervising sponsor at any given time.
Apprentices must cause a current supervising sponsor to submit
				to the Board in writing that they are no longer the apprentices sponsor, and
				the reason for the disassociation in order for an apprentice to obtain a new
				supervising sponsor.
In order for an apprentice's hours earned under a prior
				supervising sponsor to be counted, the apprentice must cause the prior
				supervising sponsor to sign off on a board approved form to be submitted with
				the application for licensure.
The forms for supervising sponsors are available on the Board's
				website,
www.sos.ga.gov/plb/opticians
				.
(f) Upon
			 completion by the applicant, such training and experience shall be certified by
			 the supervising licensed dispensing optician, licensed physician or licensed
			 optometrist to the board.
(g)
			 Applicants who have received practical training and experience in the trade or
			 occupation of dispensing optician prior to July 1, 2008, shall receive credit
			 toward the practical training and experience requirements if they register with
			 the board in accordance with the provisions of this rule no later than August
			 31, 2008 and such training and experience is deemed satisfactory by the
			 board.
(h) The date that the
			 application is received by the Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians will
			 designate the actual commence date of the apprenticeship pending approval of
			 the application.
O.C.G.A §§
									43-29-6 and 
				  43-29-7.