FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)

Optical Dispensers Board
614 466 9709
odb@odb.ohio.gov

EXAM PROCESS

Q. How do I register for the national qualifying spectacle/contact lens exam?

A. To schedule to take either the ABO or NCLE, you need to contact the American
Board of Optometry (ABO) Directly at the number below.
The Optical Dispensers Board (Board) does not register people for the
exam nor administer the exam. You can reach ABO by calling
1-800-296-1379 or through the link on the Board's web page, www.optical.ohio.gov (2/08)

Q. How often and where are the spectacle/contact lens exams given? How much does it cost?

A. The exams are given twice a year in Columbus, in May and November.
Contact ABO at the number or web page address above for exact dates, times and
costs associated with the exam. (2/08)

Q. Where can I get study materials for spectacle/contact lens exam preparation?

A. ABO provides study materials as well as some providers of Board-approved
continuing education. For a full list of approved continuing education, go to the
Board's web page under the section "Board Approved Seminars." You may
wish to contact these listed providers to determine which provider may have
the materials that will meet your learning needs to prepare for the exam. (2/08)

NOTE: The ABO certificate does not authorize an individual to practice optical dispensing in Ohio. After notification of having passed the national spectacle/contact lens qualifying exam, individuals must apply for licensure by the Board.

LICENSURE

Q. How do I know if I have enough apprentice time to be eligible to apply for my license?

A. It is the responsibility of the supervisor and the apprentice to maintain all records of apprenticeship. Verification of hours by the Board may be done only upon written
request from the supervisor or apprentice to the Board. Please allow two weeks for a
written response. (2/08)

Q. How do I obtain an application for licensure?
A. You may obtain an application for licensure as a dispensing Optician or Ocularist by down loading the application from the Board's web site under the section
"Applications and Forms."
You may also contact the Board office directly either by e-mail at odb@odb.ohio.gov
Or by phone: 614 466 9709 and an application will be mailed to you.
All directions for completing the application are supplied with the application.
(2/08)

Q. I heard that now I have to do a criminal records check and be finger printed to be licensed. What is a "criminal records check?"

A. Section 4725.501 of the Ohio Revised Code (Law regulating the practice of
Opticianry and Ocularistry in Ohio) requires all individuals applying for
licensure by the Board to submit fingerprints for a criminal records check
completed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation
(BCII) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Instructions on how to
accomplish this is included with each application. Individuals seeking licensure
will need to go to the local Sheriff's office or other approved locations that use the
services of "National WebCheck" to submit electronic fingerprints. The Sheriff's
office in all 88 counties of Ohio participate in National WebCheck. A list of other
"WebCheck" vendors in Ohio, arranged by county, is available online at:
http:// www.ag.state.oh.us/business/fingerprint/data/index.asp
(2/08)

Q. How much does the fingerprinting cost?

A. Fees must be paid at the time of the fingerprinting.
BCII $22
FBI $24
The electronic fingerprinting company may charge its own fee to process the
fingerprints. (2/08)

Q. How does the Board get the results of the fingerprinting?

A. The results of the fingerprinting come directly to the Board offices from BCII.
The Board cannot accept any results that do not come directly from BCII. (2/08)

Q. How long does it take the Board to get results from BCII?

A. The Board will typically receive the results of a criminal records check
within 7 to 10 business days. You should keep this in mind in order to meet
the deadline for submission of a completed application for licensure. (2/08)

Q. What if I have a criminal record that shows up on the BCII/FBI report? Does this mean I can't get a license.

A. No, a "positive hit" on the results does not automatically mean you will not be
licensed. It does mean, however, that the Board will need to do additional
investigation with the applicant to determine the seriousness of the charges and
the likelihood that the applicant may pose a threat to patients seeking the services
of an optical dispenser. (2/08)

APPRENTICESHIP

Q. Can the Optical Dispensers Board (Board) accept hours of lab experience when the experience is completed in a non-licensure state where the supervisor of the apprentice is not licensed as a dispensing optician nor is the apprentice registered? If the supervisor is ABO certified?

A. No. Rule 4726-5-01(4) Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) requires that the supervisor of an apprentice optician must be a licensed optician. (2/08)

Q. Can the Board accept hours of lab experience when completed in Ohio and not supervised by a licensed optician?

A. No, for the same reason previously stated above. (2/08)

Q. Can the Board accept any supervised lab experience towards licensure requirements for a contact lens license?

A. Yes, but only one year of laboratory experience and only if supervised by a licensed contact lens dispensing optician (2/08)

Q. Can the Board accept lab experience obtained in Ohio for licensure if the apprentice is not registered with the Board?

A. No, unless the direct supervisor for the lab experience is an optometrist or physician who employs the apprentice. (2/08)

PRACTICE

Q. When the supervising CL licensee is absent (lunch, vacation, regular day off, out sick) what duties may the apprentices do when the other CL licensee (not their supervisor) is on duty?

A. Apprentices should not be scheduled to work when the licensed direct supervisor is not scheduled to work. In order to avoid this, many employers are now registering apprentices with two supervisors, so that the apprentice is registered with the Board under, and, directly supervised by a licensed supervisor whenever that apprentice is scheduled to work. However, there may be times when this may not be possible such as an unexpected illness or other unscheduled time off by the licensed direct supervisor. If another licensed direct supervisor, as indicated at the Board, is not available, the apprentice may be supervised by another licensed CL optician on an emergency basis only. The "emergency" supervisor must be willing to provide the appropriate supervision and accept the responsibility and accountability for the delegation of duties to the apprentice.

Q. Are apprentices allowed to pull contacts from inventory, be it a locked cabinet, back room, whatever?

A. Apprentices who are apprenticing for a CL license, and when the apprentice is directly supervised by a licensed CL supervisor registered with the Board, then may pull the contacts from inventory.

Q. Are apprentices (with and without their immediate supervisor on duty) allowed to "place" orders, hand written, computer entry or received by phone if the prescription already exits in the office computer or patient chart?

A. Apprentices are to perform the functions of optical dispensing, such as placing orders which requires an interpretation of the prescription, only when the licensed direct supervisor registered with the Board is providing direct supervision to the apprentice. In a 2002 opinion by the then Attorney General Betty Montgomery, AG Montgomery stated the following:
...it is my opinion, and you are hereby advised as follows:

1. Reviewing a patient's prescription for replacement
   contact lenses and selecting from inventory lenses that
   comply with the instructions set forth in the prescription
   constitute "optical dispensing" as defined in R.C. 4725.40...
2. A person who is not licensed or permitted to dispense contact
   lenses under R.C. 4725.40-.59 may not review a patient's
   prescription for replacement contact lenses and select from
   inventory lenses that comply with the instructions set forth
   in the prescription.

The registered apprentice may place orders only at the delegation of the licensed supervisor registered with the Board, and only if the apprentice is registered for the type of order being placed; i.e., registered as spectacle apprentice for spectacle orders or registered as a contact lens apprentice for contact lens orders.

Q. Can apprentices ever, under any circumstances enter a prescription in the office computer?
See answer above.

Q. Is "LDO" after my name acceptable on business cards, letterhead, etc.? I thought at one time I was told it is not recognized by our state board, however it is used often by many opticians. What should I put on my badge?

The initials "LDO" are not recognized by the law and rules regulating the practice of Opticianry in Ohio. Section 4726-17-02 Ohio Administrative Code states:

All licensed dispensing opticians, and licensed ocularists, shall wear, and cause
any apprentice under their supervision to wear, an identifying badge with their
name and the designation of either: licensed dispensing optician, apprentice
optician, licensed ocularist, or apprentice ocularist, as is appropriate to their
status.

There is nothing in either the law or rules that specifically prohibits the use of the term LDO on letterheads, business cards, etc.

Q. Does the law regulating the practice of Opticianry in Ohio require a licensed dispensing optician to release a prescription to the patient?

A. No. Section 4725.40(H) Ohio Revised Code(ORC) (Law Regulating the Practice of Opticianry and Ocularistry in Ohio) defines "prescription" as:

...means the written or verbal directions of instructions as specified by
a physician or optometrist (emphasis added) licensed by any state for preparing an optical aid for a patient.

However, Section 4725.58 ORC does require that after dispensing contact lenses pursuant to the prescription of an optometrist or ophthalmologist, the optician must immediately inform the patient in writing to return back to the prescribing physician or optometrist for a final evaluation.
Note: Neither of the above mentioned laws require that the optician's measurements be included in that written notice.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Rule (CFR 456) defines prescription as:

...the written specifications for ophthalmic lenses which are derived from
an eye examination. The prescription shall contain all of the information
necessary to permit the buyer to obtain the necessary ophthalmic goods
from the seller of his choice. In the case of a prescription for contact lenses, the refractionist must include in the prescription only those measurements and
directions which would be included in a prescription for spectacle lenses.

The FTC rule also states that:

It is an unfair act or practice for an ophthalmologist or optometrist to fail to provide
to the patient one copy of the patient's prescription immediately after the eye
examination is completed.

It is clear from both the law regulating the practice of Opticianry in Ohio and is reinforced by the FTC Prescription Release Rule that the requirement to release a prescription is the responsibility of the optometrist or physician only.

Q. Can I accept and legally fill a prescription for glasses or contact lenses that has been sent to my place of business by fax or other electronic means?

A. The Board has recently adopted a policy concerning the use of electronic means to send prescriptions and the optician's and ocularist's ability to fill the prescription. See below:

Statement

Electronic prescription transmission systems allow prescriptions to be sent electronically from a prescriber to an optician's place of practice.

The electronic system may be office-based, web-based, and some use a switching station to route the prescription to the optical dispenser. Office base systems allow the prescriber to send a prescription electronically directly from the prescriber's office to the optical dispensers place of practice. The web-based systems allow the prescriber to log onto a website, enter a prescription, and the website sends the prescription to the place of practice. Systems utilizing a switching station allow the prescriber to enter a prescription that is transmitted to a switching station. The switching station identifies the prescriber using specific data elements and then sends the prescription to the place of practice of the optical dispenser.

These electronic prescriptions may be used for interpretation by a licensed dispensing optician to design, fabricate and dispense optical aids as prescribed based on the following guidelines.

Guidelines

A. Electronic prescriptions can be sent electronically directly from the prescriber's computer to a licensed optician's computer or facsimile machine.

B. There may or may not be a signature of the prescriber on a prescription sent by using an electronic prescription transmission system. Electronic signatures are not recognized as a means of "positive identification" and therefore are not required. If a signature is present, the prescription must indicate that the signature was computer-generated.

C. A prescriber may elect to print a prescription from the electronic prescription transmission system in the prescriber's office and give it to the patient to personally present to a licensed optical dispenser.

D. A licensed dispensing optician may interpret an electronic prescription to design, adapt, fit, or replace the prescribed optical aids provided all of the following is present:

1. The prescription is dated;
2. The prescription contains all the necessary information to design, adapt, fit or replace the optical aid;
3. The prescription provides the name of the prescriber;
4. The prescription provides telephone numbers, fax numbers, addresses necessary for verification of the information provided by the electronically transmitted prescription.