1. (1) Applicants who are issued an initial training permit for basic ophthalmic dispensing training prior to April 3, 1998, pursuant to section 67.4 of this Part, shall either complete all the requirements of this paragraph or all the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subdivision. Applicants shall satisfactorily complete:

   1. (i) at least 1,200 clock hours in fitting and adjusting of ophthalmic eyewear; and
   2. (ii) at least 600 clock hours in the verification and interpretation of prescriptions; and
   3. (iii) at least 600 clock hours in other aspects of practice and theory of dispensing, including laboratory preparation.

2. (2) Applicants who are issued an initial training permit for basic ophthalmic dispensing training on or after April 3, 1998, pursuant to section 67.4 of this Part, shall satisfactorily complete training and experience of at least 2,400 clock hours, acceptable to the department, which shall include a program approved by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, or its successors, or an equivalent organization. Such training and experience shall include but not be limited to training in: ophthalmic medical terminology; optical theory; anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the eye; ophthalmic lens design and types; verification and interpretation of prescriptions; lens applications; fitting and adjusting of ophthalmic eyewear; other aspects of practice and theory of dispensing, including laboratory preparation; and clinical experience in ophthalmic dispensing.

   (b) Certification to fit contact lenses.

   To meet the professional education requirement for certification to fit contact lenses through alternative training and experience, as prescribed in section 67.1(c)(2) of this Part, the applicant shall meet the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, as applicable.

3. (1) Applicants who are issued an initial training permit for training in the fitting of contact lenses prior to April 3, 1998, pursuant to section 67.4 of this Part, shall either complete all of the requirements of this paragraph or all of the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subdivision. Applicants shall satisfactorily complete an additional preceptorship of at least 1,200 clock hours in fitting and adjusting of contact lenses, the verification and interpretation of contact lens prescriptions, and other aspects of practice and theory of contact lens fitting.
4. (2) Applicants who are issued an initial training permit for the fitting of contact lenses on or after April 3, 1998, pursuant to section 67.4 of this Part, shall complete additional training and experience of at least 1,200 clock hours in the fitting of contact lenses, acceptable to the department, which shall include a program which is approved by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, or its successor, or an equivalent organization. Such training and experience shall include but not be limited to training in: contact lens medical terminology, optics and contact lenses, fitting and adjusting contact lenses, patient education, keratometry, biomicroscopy, the anatomy and physiology of the eye, and a clinical experience in the fitting of contact lenses.

(a) Licensure.

To meet the professional education requirement for licensure through acceptable alternative training and experience, pursuant to section 67.1(b)(2) of this Part, the applicant shall meet the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, as applicable.