- (1) The National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO-NCLE) examination is considered state board approved practical examination for the purposes of this section.
(2) There shall be three parts to the examination for Florida licensure in opticianry:
- (a) A national opticianry competency examination which shall consist of the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) developed by the American Board of Opticiancy (ABO).
- (b) A national contact lens examination which shall consist of the Contact Lens Registry Examination developed by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE); and
- (c) A state board approved practical examination.
- (3) Applicants, who have been certified eligible by the board, having completed all requirements including successful completion of the opticianry competency and the contact lens examinations, will be admitted to take a state board approved practical examination.
- (4) Proof of having successfully completed the national portions of the examination shall consist of certification of the candidate’s scores from the testing body directly to the Board.
- (5) The respective testing body shall establish the criteria for determining the minimum score necessary for successful completion.
- (6) The applicant must have successfully completed all required examinations within the three years immediately preceding application for licensure. For applications submitted more than three years after successful completion of the examinations, the application may submit a current Ntaional Certification and proof that the applicant has continued to maintain a current National Certification by completing continuing education courses.
Rulemaking Authority 456.017(1), 484.005 FS. Law Implemented 456.017(1), 484.002, 484.007 FS. History–New 12-6-79, Amended 8-10-80, 3-11-81, 10-29-81, 6-30-82, 8-11-82, 2-2-83, 8-29-85, Formerly 21P-9.01, Amended 9-17-87, 3-30-89, 2-18-93, Formerly 21P-9.001, Amended 5-2-94, Formerly 61G13-9.001, Amended 5-4-97, Formerly 59U-9.001, Amended 4-20-98, 9-12-99, 1-7-03, 8-28-05, 7-12-07, 5-16-12, 7-23-19, 5-26-21, 5-31-26.