License; application; qualifications

(a) An individual shall be licensed as a dispensing optician to engage in the occupation of dispensing optician. (b) The applicant shall provide evidence of having: (1) The equivalent of a high school education and two years of opticianry work experience as required by administrative rules; (2) Graduation from an opticianry course accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; or (3) A current and valid license as a dispensing optician in another state or territory of the United States and passage of the national examinations specified in subsection (c). The applicant shall submit to the director an application for a license on a form prescribed by the director, which shall include the applicant's experience and signature, and an application fee. (c) The applicant shall provide evidence of having passed the following examinations: (1) The National Opticianry Competency Examination; (2) The National Contact Lens Registry Examination; and (3) A nationally standardized practical examination may be required by the director as a prerequisite for dispensing optician licensure. Any applicant who has previously passed both the National Opticianry Competency Examination and the National Contact Lens Registry Examination in a state or territory of the United States shall not be required to retake these examinations provided that the applicant's passing scores have been certified.