(a) As used in this section, acceptable accrediting agency shall mean an organization accepted by the department as a reliable authority for the purpose of accreditation at the postsecondary level, applying its criteria for granting accreditation in a fair, consistent, and nondiscriminatory manner, such as an agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education.

1. (1) a program in ophthalmic dispensing of at least 60 semester hours or its equivalent that is registered by the department pursuant to Part 52 of this Title, or accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency, or determined by the department to be the equivalent of such a registered or accredited program; or

2. (2) alternative training and experience of at least two years, as prescribed in section 67.2(a) of this Part, under the supervision of a licensed ophthalmic dispenser, optometrist, or physician who shall be on-site and readily accessible to provide personal advice and assistance to the applicant, when the applicant is receiving clinical training and experience. Such applicant shall also present evidence of a one-year course of study in mathematics completed prior to or concurrently with such training and experience.

   (c) Requirement for certification to fit contact lenses.

   To meet the professional education requirement for certification to fit contact lenses in this State, the applicant shall present satisfactory evidence of completion of:

3. (1) a program in ophthalmic dispensing that meets the requirements for professional licensure, as prescribed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; or
4. (2) acceptable alternative training and experience of at least one year, as prescribed in section 67.2(b) of this Part, under the supervision of a licensed ophthalmic dispenser, optometrist or physician who shall be on-site and readily accessible to provide personal advice and assistance to the applicant, when the applicant is receiving clinical training and experience.

(b) Licensure requirement.

To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as an ophthalmic dispenser in this State, the applicant shall present evidence of completion of: