House Bill 241

Chair's Name: Roger Williams

Committee:   Regulated Industries

House Sponsor: Jill Chambers

HB 241 details additional options for those seeking an Optician license to meet the educational requirements. Apprenticeships must include a minimum of 3000 hours of experience which must include instruction in ophthalmic optics, optical laboratory materials and techniques, eye anatomy and physiology, laws and regulations, ophthalmic dispensing theory and application, and basic contact lens theory. The Board will develop a list of textbooks and educational materials to guide in this instruction. Before beginning their training, apprentices must register with the Board.

Applicants for Opticians licenses may also meet the educational requirement with a certificate from educational programs approved by the Board, National Academy of Opticianry, or GTAE. Applicants may also receive credit for training and experience they received before the effective date of this bill.

This committee substitute comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule.

Chairman William’s opinion of the legislation:

Currently there is a lack of accountability regarding educational programs for apprentice opticians. This bill codifies basic educational requirements for apprentices, because not everyone is able to attend a formal program at a Georgia Technical College. This provides a means of alternative training. The Opticians Board has considered, but not fully implemented rules on this topic, waiting instead for legislative action. The specific instruction requirements are prompted by the higher failure rate on board exams taken by apprentice-trained applicants vs. those who completed the courses offered at technical colleges.

This Legislation:

• Increases Personal Responsibility by guiding people apprenticing in the recommended course of study