General Requirements

(1) Any individual who applies for licensure as a dispensing optician pursuant to 235 CMR 2.07(1)(b) shall be granted such a license only if he or she successfully completes an apprenticeship consisting of at least 2,100 hours of supervised work experience and related classroom instruction over a period of not less than 18 months which meets all applicable requirements of 235 CMR 4.00. (2) An individual who applies for licensure as a dispensing optician pursuant to 235 CMR 2.07(1)(c) shall be granted such a license only if he or she successfully completes an apprenticeship consisting of at least 4,200 hours of supervised work experience and related classroom instruction over a period of not less than three years which meets all applicable requirements of 235 CMR 4.00. (3) Every apprenticeship shall be designed and structured so as to integrate, to the maximum extent feasible, the work experience and related classroom instruction so that the apprentice optician may derive maximum benefit from the related classroom instruction. (4) Every apprenticeship undertaken pursuant to 235 CMR 4.00 shall be completed pursuant to the terms and conditions of a written apprenticeship agreement between the apprentice optician and his or her employer which has been reviewed and approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards of the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Each such apprenticeship shall comply with all applicable requirements of M.G.L. c. 23, §§ 11E through 11L, and 454 CMR 26.00: Apprentice Training. (5) Apprentice opticians who work in excess of the normal workday or work week shall nevertheless complete the minimum apprenticeship duration specified in 235 CMR 4.02(1) or (2) before applying for full licensure as a licensed dispensing optician. (6) An apprentice optician shall complete his or her apprenticeship within five calendar years from the date of his or her registration as an apprentice optician in order to qualify for licensure as a licensed dispensing optician. (MA REG. # 1339, Dated 5-19-17)