52:17B-41.9a. Apprentice dispenser; registration; requirements for qualification

No one may apprentice pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1952, c. 336 (C. 52:17B-41.5) unless he is registered with the board. Subsequent to registration, an apprentice dispenser who does not hold an associate degree in ophthalmic science or its equivalent from an accredited institution shall serve a minimum of 36 months of apprenticeship during which time he shall accumulate not less than the requisite number of school hours in board-approved courses in ophthalmic science, which service and education shall be completed in the following manner:

a. During the first 12 months of the apprenticeship, an apprentice dispenser shall serve not less than one-half of his time in technical optical procedures and satisfactorily complete not less than the requisite number of school hours of board-approved courses.

b. Upon completion of the first 12 months as an apprentice dispenser and the requisite educational requirements, an apprentice shall be required to take and pass a qualifying technical examination established and administered by the board. In the event the apprentice dispenser fails such examination, he shall not thereafter directly serve the public in the dispensing of ophthalmic products until he passes the qualifying technical examination. Such apprentice dispenser who fails examination may take two subsequent examinations for a total limit of three. An apprentice dispenser shall be required to take the first available qualifying technical examination for which he is eligible.

c. Upon successful completion of the qualifying technical examination, an apprentice shall satisfactorily complete the remainder of the school hours of board-approved courses while continuing to work full-time as an apprentice under the supervision of a licensed dispenser for such additional period as necessary for the apprentice dispenser to have accumulated the remainder of the required 36 months of work. Upon accumulation of not less than the requisite number of school hours and the required supervised employment, the apprentice shall be eligible to take the examination for licensure. Employment as an apprentice dispenser shall require supervision by a licensed ophthalmic dispenser who may supervise the number of apprentices that the board permits by regulation.

L.1979, c. 155, s. 2.