Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 04 - SECRETARY OF STATE › Sub-Agency 030 - OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION › Chapter 200 - RULES OF THE BOARD OF OPTICIANS › Section 04 030 200 - RULES OF THE BOARD OF OPTICIANS

Current through June, 2024
Part 1 General Information
Section 1.1 The Purpose of Licensure
The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of
				Professional Regulation (Office) have been given certain powers under Vermont
				law to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by setting standards,
				licensing applicants, and regulating licensed opticians and their practices.
				Legal authority for oversight of this profession is given to the Director of
				the Office of Professional Regulation. The Director is assisted by two
				advisors, licensed opticians residing in Vermont, who are appointed by the
				Secretary of State. The advisors will meet as needed.
Section 1.2 Business Address
The mailing address for matters concerning opticians is
Secretary of State
Office of Professional Regulation
Optician Licensing
National Life Bldg., North, FL2
Montpelier, VT 05620-3402
The Office is located at the National Life Building North, in
				Montpelier. Copies of these rules may be obtained on line at
http://vtprofessionals.org
or
				by contacting the Office 802-828-2837.
Section 1.3 Laws That Govern Licensure
(a) Licensure is governed by a specific state
			 law that establishes responsibilities for setting standards, issuing licenses,
			 and regulating the profession. The law is in Chapter 47, Title 26 Vermont
			 Statutes Annotated. In addition, the Director of the Office of Professional
			 Regulation is obligated to comply with several other State laws such as the
			 Administrative Procedure Act ( 3 V.S.A. §§ 801-849 ), the "Law of
			 Professional Regulation" ( 3 V.S.A. §§ 121-131 ), the "Right to Know
			 Law" ( 1 V.S.A. §§ 311-314 ), and the "Access to Public Records Law"
			 ( 1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320 ). These laws spell out the rights of an
			 applicant, license holder or member of the public.
(b) Applicants and licensees should be aware
			 that Chapter 5 of Title 3 of the Vermont Statutes contains several statutes
			 which govern regulation of licensed professionals. See among them,
			 3 V.S.A. §
												129a which defines unprofessional
			 conduct.
(c) The complete text of
			 these laws may be found in the Vermont Statutes Annotated. Most town clerks and
			 public libraries have copies of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. The laws may be
			 found on line at
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/statutes2.htm
.
Section 1.4 Rules
The Director is authorized to make these rules by
				26 V.S.A. §
												2665. Administrative rules for this
				profession have the force of law and govern proceedings related to this
				profession. In making rules, the Director must follow the Administrative
				Procedure Act ("APA"). The provisions of the Act governing rulemaking are found
				in 3 V.S.A. §§ 801-808 and 817-849.
Section 1.5 Making and Resolving Complaints
The Office follows the current complaint procedure recommended
				by the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation. Copies of the
				procedure and more information about the complaint process may be obtained via
				the Office of Professional Regulation web site,
http://vtprofessionals.org
or
				from the Office.