04/10/2024

Legislative Updates

In Ohio’s recent fight to retain our licensure for Ohio opticians, it has often come up in discussions that many states surrounding Ohio are not licensed, so why should we be? The states mentioned were Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. This argument highlights the importance and strength of having as many licensed states as possible.

To that end, the Opticians Association of America (OAA), with an enthusiastic Membership Committee chairperson in Donna Hatch, is leading the charge to change the status quo. Donna and other members have been diligently working to get states across the nation to join forces and become more active by joining the OAA. The reason this is so crucial is that by having them as members of the OAA, we can begin to work towards certification, and eventually, licensure, which will make all states stronger.

In just the past year, the states of Pennsylvania, Nevada, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, Oregon, Illinois, and Minnesota have joined the OAO. These are amazing results and proof that the next generation of opticians are ready and eager to be recognized as the professionals they are. Ohioans been involved in this movement as well, acting as a mentoring resource for several states. Shirley Earley is mentoring in Missouri and myself in Pennsylvania.

While we don’t often consider the ramifications of what happens in other states, there is indeed a ripple effect that is far reaching. Do yourself a favor: If you have optician friends, regardless of what state they reside in, ask them if they belong to their state association. If they do, thank them for supporting opticianry. If they are not a member, encourage them to join. Doing so not only helps themselves, but other opticians nationwide. 

- John Bruening