Related Classroom Instruction Requirements

(1) Everyapprenticeship undertaken pursuant to 235 CMR 4.00 shall include a minimum of 150 hours of related classroom instruction per year in the subject areas specified in 235 CMR 4.04. Such related classroom instruction shall be counted towards satisfaction of the total apprenticeship hours requirements of 235 CMR 4.02(1) or 235 CMR 4.02(2), whichever applies. (2) The related classroom instruction hours required by 235 CMR 4.05(1) may be completed by any one or more of the following methods: (a) Completion of appropriate courses or programs at any educational program in opticianry which is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; (b) Completion of appropriate courses or programs which have been approved for continuing education credit, pursuant to 235 CMR 3.05, by the American Board of Opticianry, the National Contact Lens Examiners, or the Board; or (c) Completion of classroom instruction and training programs developed and administered by the apprentice optician’s employer, provided that such training programs have been reviewed and approved in advance by both the Board and the Division of Apprentice Standards. (3) An individual who applies for licensure as a licensed dispensing optician pursuant to 235 CMR 2.07(1)(b) or 235 CMR 2.07(1)(c) shall submit satisfactory written proof of his or her completion of all of the related classroom instruction required by 235 CMR 4.05(1) to both the Board and the Division of Apprentice Standards at the time he or she completes his or her apprenticeship and applies to the Board for full licensure as a licensed dispensing optician. Failure to do so shall result in denial of his or her application for full licensure. (4) An apprentice optician who is completing his or her apprenticeship pursuant to 235 CMR 4.02(1), and who submits an official transcript or other satisfactory written proof of his or her successful completion of one year of education at an educational program in opticianry which is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation to both the Board and the Division of Apprentice Standards, shall be deemed to have thereby completed all of the related classroom instruction required by 235 CMR 4.05(1).