Optician

Applying for the Opticianry Licensure Examination

1. You must first submit an application for the licensure examination
2. Applicant must submit a copy of their high school diploma or equivalency certificate
3. Applicant must submit proof of receiving a passing score on the National Opticianry Competency Examination within three years of application or have current ABO certification
4. Applicant must submit proof of receiving a passing score on the Contact Lens Registry Examination within three years of application or have current NCLE certification
5. One of the following must be submitted:
   1. If applicant received an associate degree in opticianry, official transcripts must be submitted directly from the school to the board office
   2. If applicant completed the apprenticeship training program, a copy of the completion letter must be submitted directly to the board office
   3. If applicant was licensed in another state for at least 3 of the last 5 years, licensure verification must be submitted from the other state’s licensing agency
   4. If applicant practiced opticianry for 5 of the last 7 years in an unlicensed state, copies of tax records, business records, affidavits, etc. must be submitted to the board office

If you have met the requirements for the examination, you will receive information on how to register to sit for the examination.  If you have not met the requirements for the examination, you will be advised of your deficiencies and rights.

The following documents are required prior to licensure:

• Copy of certificate documenting completion of a two-hour live technical practice continuing education course on fitting and adjusting by a board approved provider

Payment of the initial licensure fee within one (1) year of notification of successful passage of the examination for Florida licensure

Applicants must complete the following steps:

1. Have a license verification submitted to Florida from any state board(s), U.S. territory, or foreign country in which you held a license. If the state has an online verification including disciplinary actions, we will accept the online verification. License verification may be submitted by mail or by secure electronic delivery to MQA.Opticianry@flhealth.gov
2. Submit proof of passing an optician national practical examination, or a national certification. Proof must be sent directly from the examination or certification vendor to this office, and may be submitted via mail or by secure electronic delivery to Opticianry@flhealth.gov
3. Apply online at flhealthsource.gov, or mail a completed application to the address provided below along with the applicable fees, and submit any supplemental documentation.Department of Health
   Board of Opticianry
   P.O. Box 6330
   Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
4. If applicants have any affirmative answers in the Criminal History, Health History, or Disciplinary History sections of the application, the following must be submitted:
   1. 1. Self-Explanation – A letter personally describing the circumstances of the offense. The letter must include the date of the original offense, the charge, and the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.
      2. Completion of Sanctions– Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, a letter on court letterhead must be sent from the clerk of the court attesting to records unavailability.
      3. Final Dispositions/Arrest Records– Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, a letter on court letterhead must be sent from the clerk of the court attesting to records unavailability.
      4. Board Actions– If applicant has disciplinary action against any license, submit certified copies of documents relative to those disciplinary action. The documents must be certified and submitted by the agency or board that finalized the disciplinary action.
      5. Health History– If the applicant answered in the affirmative to any of the questions, submit supporting documentation including the relevant dates and circumstances and the names and addresses of the medical practitioners or hospitals who performed related treatments.
5. Please allow up to 30 business days for initial review of new applications. All applications and document submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. After your application is reviewed, any deficiencies will be communicated to you in writing by our Board staff. To expedite processing, please submit all required supporting documentation with your application and the requisite fees. If you are having documentation submitted by another entity on your behalf, please verify the Board office’s mailing address to ensure delivery.
6. When all requirements are met, the license will be issued within 7 days pursuant to section 456.0145(2)(e), Florida Statutes.

There are several ways to submit supporting documents:

• Upload to your online account at https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal
• Email to Opticianry@flhealth.gov,
• Fax to 850-413-6982, or mail to the address below:

Department of Health
Board of Opticianry
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Renewal Instructions:

1. Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

Additional Information:

• You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to:
  Division of Medical Quality Assurance
  P.O. Box 6320
  Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320
• If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
• If your license was Delinquent/Active before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. You should contact your board office for further instruction.
• The process of renewing and retrieving an e-license may take 3-5 business days. Initiating contact to confirm the receipt of fees or the status of your license prior to this time will not expedite the renewal process.