Chapter 420-2 REGISTRATION AND REQUIREMENTS
| (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 March 31st of the registration year. Licenses may be renewed between
April 1st of each odd numbered year, and May 31st of each odd numbered year
with payment of a late renewal penalty fee in addition to the renewal fee.
Failure to register and pay the appropriate renewal fee by the deadline shall
lapse said license by operation of law. 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 registration fee and
an additional penalty. |
| (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
are to be reviewed 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 registration fee and additional penalty
fee, and 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 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. |
|
|
| (b) |
If reinstatement is granted, any
continued education hours credited for the reinstatement application shall not
be used or applied towards the continuing education requirements for the
renewal period following the date of reinstatement. Reinstated licenses may be
subject to a continuing education hours audit at renewal after reinstatement of
licensure. |
|
The Board shall issue a duplicate certificate of registration
when it shall be certified to the Board that the original has been lost,
destroyed or there has been a name change. The fee required will be twenty-five
($25.00) dollars. To receive a duplicate wall certificate, the licensee must
surrender the original license, if not lost or destroyed, prior to receiving a
new license.
