Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 420 - GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF DISPENSING OPTICIANS › Chapter 420-2 - REGISTRATION AND REQUIREMENTS › Rule 420-2-.01 - Registration (Renewal) and Reinstatement

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) All persons
			 practicing as a dispensing optician shall register with the Division Director
			 of the Professional Licensing Boards Division and shall pay a biennial
			 registration fee on or before the March 31st renewal date each odd numbered
			 year. Licenses may be renewed between April 1st and April 30th of each odd
			 numbered year with payment of a late renewal penalty fee in addition to the
			 renewal fee. Failure to renew a license by April 30th of each odd numbered year
			 shall have the same effect as revocation of such license, making the license
			 subject to reinstatement as set forth below. Individual licenses lapsed by
			 operation of law may be considered for reinstatement by submission of an
			 application approved by the Board, any supporting documents or other
			 requirements as defined in
			  420-2-.01(3)  below
			 and paying the established reinstatement application fee.
(2) Any service member as defined in O.C.G.A.
			 §
								43-1-31 whose license to practice
			 opticianry expired while serving on active duty outside the state shall be
			 permitted to practice opticianry in accordance with the expired license and
			 shall not be charged with a violation relating to such practice on an expired
			 license for a period of six (6) months from the date of her or her discharge
			 from active duty or reassignment to a location within the state. Any such
			 service member shall be entitled to renew such expired license without penalty
			 within six (6) months after the date of her or her discharge from active duty
			 or reassignment to a location with the state. The service member must present
			 to the board a copy of the official military orders, or a written verification
			 signed by the service member's commanding officer to waive any
			 charges.
(3) Reinstatement of an
			 expired or lapsed license is at the discretion of the board. All applications
			 may be subject to review by a designated Board member.
(a) An applicant for reinstatement of an
			 expired or lapsed license must submit a completed reinstatement application
			 provided by the Board, pay the required reinstatement application fee, and
			 shall comply with one of the following:
1. An
			 application for reinstatement of an expired or lapsed license submitted within
			 two (2) years of the effective date of the expiration or lapse of that license
			 must submit evidence of completion of fifteen (15) course hours of continuing
			 education obtained within the two (2) years prior to the date of the
			 reinstatement application. Of the fifteen (15) hours, a minimum of two (2)
			 hours shall be in the area of contact lenses and must be obtained from a Board
			 recognized approved source pursuant to O.C.G.A.
			  43-29-11(b). Of
			 the fifteen (15) hours, no more than five (5) hours may be obtained via the
			 internet. Effective 04-01-2017, of the fifteen (15) continuing education hours
			 for reinstatement, no hours may be obtained or will be accepted for
			 reinstatement via the internet or home study except for those provided by the
			 Opticians Association of America, the National Academy of Opticianry or the
			 Opticians Association of Georgia. No more than eight (8) hours of continuing
			 education may be obtained in one twenty-four-hour day.
2. An application for reinstatement of an
			 expired or lapsed license that's been lapsed or expired for more than two (2)
			 years, but less than four (4) years, of the effective date of the expiration or
			 lapse must submit evidence of completion of thirty (30) course hours of
			 continuing education obtained within the two (2) years prior to the date of the
			 reinstatement application. Of the thirty (30) hours, a minimum of four (4)
			 hours shall be in the area of contact lenses and must be obtained from a Board
			 recognized approved source pursuant to O.C.G.A.
			  43-29-11(b). Of
			 the thirty (30) hours, no more than five (5) hours may be obtained via the
			 internet. Effective 04-01-2017, of the thirty (30) continuing education hours
			 for reinstatement, no hours may be obtained or will be accepted for
			 reinstatement via the internet or home study except for those provided by the
			 Opticians Association of America, the National Academy of Opticianry or the
			 Opticians Association of Georgia. No more than eight (8) hours of continuing
			 education may be obtained in one twenty-four-hour day.
3. An application for reinstatement of an
			 expired or lapsed license that's been lapsed or expired for more than four (4)
			 years of the effective date of the expiration or lapse must also submit
			 evidence of completion of thirty (30) course hours of continuing education
			 obtained within the two (2) years prior to the date of the reinstatement
			 application. Of the thirty (30) hours, a minimum of four (4) hours shall be in
			 the area of contact lenses and must be obtained from a Board recognized
			 approved source pursuant to O.C.G.A.
			  43-29-11(b). Of
			 the thirty (30) hours, no more than five (5) hours may be obtained via the
			 internet. Effective 04-01-2017, of the thirty (30) continuing education hours
			 for reinstatement, no hours may be obtained or will be accepted for
			 reinstatement via the internet or home study except for those provided by the
			 Opticians Association of America, the National Academy of Opticianry or the
			 Opticians Association of Georgia. No more than eight (8) hours of continuing
			 education may be obtained in one twenty-four-hour day. In addition, the
			 following must be submitted:
(i) Verification
			 of current ABO/NCLE Certification.
(ii) Applicants for reinstatement under this
			 rule who were licensed in Georgia before January 1, 1987, and who have
			 continued to practice in the field of opticianry in another state or
			 jurisdiction, and who currently and consistently have held a valid,
			 unencumbered dispensing opticians license in that state shall not be required
			 to provide current ABO/NCLE certification.