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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:
- 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...
- 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.
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