Complete Story
04/25/2023
Interview with Interim Executive Director, Adelaide Lopez-Wellman
Vision Professional Board
Interview with Adelaide Lopez-Wellman from the Vision Professional Board.
April 6, 2023, the Hill Bill 509 new laws became effective with changes for Spectacle Licensed Opticians, Spectacle-Contact Licensed Opticians, Apprentices, and Ocularists. Due to the continued inquiries, OAO interviewed the interim Executive Director, Adelaide Lopez-Wellman.
OAO: If I am currently an apprentice, do I need to register?
Vision Professional Board (VPB): No, you can apply your previous time to meet the new requirements.
OAO: Once I become an apprentice for the first time, how often do I need to renew?
VPB: You must renew the registration until you have completed the requirements to be licensed for either the 1000 hours for spectacle or 1500 hours for spectacle-contacts. For the duration of the apprenticeship, the apprentice shall register annually on the form provided by the board and in the form of a statement.
OAO: What type of documentation will be accepted by the Vision Professionals Board as Apprentices supervised hours?
VPB: To serve as an apprentice, a person shall register with the State Vision Professionals Board on a form provided by the board and in the form of a statement giving the name and address of the supervising licensed dispensing optician, the location at which the apprentice will be employed, and any other information required by the board.
OAO: Can an apprentice take the ABO and NCLE anytime, or do they need to have their apprenticeship hours completed first?
VPB: An apprentice is encouraged to complete their apprentice hours prior to taking the ABO or NCLE.
OAO: How much will my apprentice renewal fee be with the new Law?
VPB: $3.50 total.
OAO: I'm a newly licensed optician. Do I need to get my two hours of Spectacle/Contact Dispensing (SCD) for 2023? Will this be concurrent with the renewal cycle as well?
VPB: Yes, a Spectacle dispensing optician needs to complete the SCD for the first-year renewal only. A Spectacle-Contact dispensing optician does not need CE for the first renewal. However, you should continue to enhance your knowledge by completing continuing education throughout the year. You have worked hard to get where you are at, so continue to learn and provide the best services to your fellow Ohioans.
OAO: Do I send proof of my CE hours as I take them or renew them?
VPB: At this time, you will not submit CE hours to the Vision Professional Board. The VPB will provide further instructions later in 2023.
OAO: What happens if the Vision Professional Board requests an audit?
VPB: You must keep records of your CEs; it is your responsibility as a licensed professional. At this time, you will not submit CE hours to the Board. We will provide further instructions later in 2023. Please note that spectacle CE hours must be ABO-approved, and contact lens CE hours must be NCLE approved.
OAO So, my next license renewal is due in November 2023. Will the CE hours I took in 2023 apply to those I need then?
VPB: Yes, your reporting period for CE will be 01/01/2023-12/31/2025.
For your convenience, we have attached the April issue of the VPB Newsletter addressing all the updates. VPB April Newsletter
