License Renewal Requirements

General Requirements

  • Each license shall be renewed each year on or before December 31.
  • For a renewal postmarked on or before December 31, or completed and submitted on-line before
    that date, the renewal fee shall be $75 for ophthalmic dispensers and $50 for apprentice ophthalmic dispensers.
  • In addition to the renewal fee, a thirty-five (35) dollar late fee shall be paid on a renewal postmarked or submitted on the Department of Professional Licensing website after December 31.
  • A license that has not been renewed by close of business on March 1 shall expire.
  • Completion of continuing education hours which are directly related to the professional growth and development of ophthalmic dispensers. They may be earned by completing any of the following educational activities:
    • The Society of Dispensing Opticians of Kentucky nka Opticians Association of Kentucky;
    • The Opticians Association of America, or any of its affiliated state chapters;
    • The Contact Lens Society of America, or any of its affiliated state chapters;
    • The National Academy of Opticianary, or any of its affiliated state chapters;
    • The American Optometric Association, or any of its affiliated state chapters;
    • The American Academy of Ophthalmology, or any of its affiliated state chapters; or,
    • The National Association of Optometrists and Opticians.
    • An educational program from any other source shall be reviewed for relevancy to ophthalmic dispensing and subsequent approval by the board.
  • Licenses issued after August 1st, are exempt from the continuing education requirement for renewal by December 31st of the same year.

Optician License Renewal

Applications for ophthalmic dispenser renewal licenses must be made with the board prior to expiration of the current license.  Renewal optician licenses may be issued by the board:

  • Upon receipt of an Application for Renewal for a licensed ophthalmic dispenser; or the on-line version of the renewal form maintained by the Department of Professional Licensing;
  • Upon payment of a renewal fee; and,
  • Provision of adequate proof that at least six (6) hours of continuing education credits, approved by the board,
    during the previous twelve (12) months were obtained.

Apprentice License Renewal

Applications for renewal apprentice licenses must be made with the board prior to expiration of the current license.  Renewal apprentice licenses may be issued by the board:

  • Upon receipt of an Application for Apprentice Renewal;
  • Upon payment of a renewal fee; and,
  • Provision of adequate proof that at least four (4) hours of continuing education credits, approved by the board, during the previous twelve (12) months were obtained.

License Renewal Extensions

Applicants may request an extension of time to renew of up to sixty (60) days for reasons related to medical issues,
military service, or family emergencies. The applicant shall submit the request for an extension of time in
writing, and send the request to the board by certified mail on or before the March 1 expiration date.

Revoked / Expired License Reinstatement

All revoked and expired licenses shall be reinstated by the licensee to resume the practice of ophthalmic dispensing.

Optician License Reinstatement

The board may reinstate an ophthalmic dispenser license:

  • Upon receipt of an Application for Reinstatement;
  • Upon payment of a $300 reinstatement fee; and,
  • Provision of adequate proof that at least twelve (12) additional hours of continuing education were obtained before the end of the current licensure year.

Apprentice License Reinstatement

The board may reinstate an apprentice ophthalmic dispenser license:

  • Upon receipt of an Application for Apprentice Reinstatement;
  • Upon payment of a $60 reinstatement fee; and,
  • Provision of adequate proof that at least eight (8) additional hours of continuing education were obtained before the end of the current licensure year.

Inactive License Status / Reinstatement

Should a Licensed or Apprentice Optician need to be away from the profession for an extended period, but desires to maintain a Kentucky Ophthalmic Dispensing License, they may place their license on Inactive status.

Inactive License Status

While on inactive status, the licensee shall not engage in the practice of ophthalmic dispensing.  The board may place a license on inactive status:

  • Upon receipt of an application for Inactive status;
  • Upon payment of a $35 fee; and,
  • Each year while on inactive status:
    • Continuing education requirements are waived; and,
    • An annual inactive license renewal fee of $35 is required.

Optician Inactive License Reinstatement

The board may change an ophthalmic dispenser license from inactive status to active status:

  • Upon receipt of an Application to return to active status;
  • Payment of a reactivation fee of forty $40 dollars;
  • Provision of adequate proof that at least 6 hours of continuing education were obtained within the last 12-month period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted.; and
  • The completion of an additional 6 hours of continuing education in order to qualify for normal license renewal. (A total of 12 hours)

The licensee may request that they be allowed to return to active status immediately under the condition that:

  • They will receive 6 hours of continuing education within 6 months of the date on which they return to active status; and,
  • Complete an additional 6 hours of continuing education in order to qualify for normal license renewal. (A total of 12 hours)

Apprentice Inactive License Reinstatement

The board may change an apprentice ophthalmic dispenser license from inactive status to active status:

  • Upon receipt of an Application to return to active status;
  • Payment of a reactivation fee of forty $40 dollars;
  • Provision of adequate proof that at least 4 hours of continuing education were obtained within the last 12-month period immediately preceding the application submission date; and,
  • The completion of an additional 4 hours of continuing education in order to qualify for normal license renewal. (A total of 8 hours)

The licensee may request that they be allowed to return to active status immediately under the condition that:

  • They will receive 4 hours of continuing education within 6 months of the date on which they return to active status; and,
  • Complete an additional 4 hours of continuing education to qualify for normal license renewal. (A total of 8 hours)

Kentucky Licensure

Resources view all resources