The Board proposes amending the rule to add language to require Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation Course hours.

Notice of Proposed Rule
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Opticianry

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B12-16.003: Apprenticeship Requirements and Training Program
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes amending the rule to add language to require Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation Course hours.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment will add an Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation course to apprenticeship requirements.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 484.005 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 484.002 FS., 484.007(1)(d)4. FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, Board of Opticianry, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B12-16.003 Apprenticeship Requirements and Training Program.

(1) No change.

(2) An apprentice shall have no more than two sponsors at any given time. If an apprentice has two sponsors, one sponsor shall be the primary sponsor responsible for the secondary sponsor and the apprentice. The primary sponsor shall be responsible for the completion, filing, signature and verification of the Apprenticeship Sponsor Attestation Form (DH-MQA 1063, 1/02), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and is available from the Board office at Department of Health, Board of Opticianry, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258. The secondary sponsor may work with the apprentice in a store or office other than the primary store or office as long as the apprentice works under the apprenticeship requirements and training program.

(3) A sponsor may provide training for no more than two apprentices at a time.

(4) through (5) No change.

(6) Total training received by an apprentice during apprenticeship must consist of training in the following subject areas:

(a) through (g) No change.

(h) Filling contact lens prescriptions, and fitting, and adapting and dispensing contact lenses if the sponsor is a Board-Certified optician, licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or an optician pursuant to subsection 64B12-10.009(1), F.A.C., or the apprentice must complete a Board approved course equivalent to 32 hours as a substitute for working experience with contact lenses. Such course must include the following instruction:

1 hour – contact lens history

2 hours – anatomy and physiology of the eye

1 hour – patient selection

2 hours – contact lens technology

2 hours – basic optics for contact lenses

4 hours – basic fitting methods

1 hour – patient follow-up

1 hour – data collection and record keeping

2 hours – ordering and verification

2 hours – patient instruction

2 hours – problem solving

2 hours – specialty fittings

1 hour – ANSI Standards

1 hour – Florida laws and rules

8 hours – hands on practice

Although the lecture sessions may be open to any number of students, the hands on sessions shall be limited to 20 students per qualified instructor and three assistant instructors. A qualified instructor is one who has been a Board Certified optician, licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist and actively engaged in contact lens fitting for 2 years immediately preceding instructorship or actively engaged as a contact lens instructor in an approved school of opticianry, an accredited school of optometry or an accredited medical school. The assistants must be Board certified or equally qualified to the instructor. Any request for course approval must be submitted to the Board 30 days prior to the next Board meeting and must be reviewed every two years. The apprentice must complete the entire course within 31 days.

(i) No change.

Specific Authority 484.005 FS. FS. Law Implemented 484.002, 484.007(1)(d)4. FS. History–New 10-12-80, Amended 8-31-83, 8-30-84, Formerly 21P-16.03, Amended 3-5-87, 7-15-87, 1-26-88, 3-30-89, 10-17-90, 5-27-92, 9-30-92, 1-27-93, Formerly 21P-16.003, Amended 9-14-93, 5-2-94, Formerly 61G13-16.003, Amended 2-21-96, 4- 23-97, Formerly 59U-16.003, Amended 10-1-97, 2-16-99, 6-25-02, ________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Opticianry
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Opticianry
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 11, 2005
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: January 20, 2006