21 NCAC 40 .0314. APPRENTICESHIP AND INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS: REGISTRATION

(a)  Each apprentice or intern entering the apprenticeship or internship shall register with the Board and be issued a certificate of registration.  Registration of the apprenticeship automatically expires on the first day of July of each year, and, in order for the apprenticeship to continue, registration must be renewed each succeeding July 1 until the apprenticeship is completed.  If the apprenticeship or internship is to be supervised by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, the supervisor shall provide a statement in which he agrees to abide by the same requirements as would an optician providing the same training.

(b)  Part‑time work or work as an optical salesman or consultant shall not apply toward completion of apprenticeship or internship.

(c)  The work as an apprentice or intern shall be full time, defined as a minimum of 35 hours per week, under the supervision of a licensed optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist.

(d)  In addition to the work specified in Paragraph (c) of this Rule, the curriculum for the apprentice shall include one of the following, as chosen by the apprentice:

(1)           an optical curriculum certificate program presented by a school of opticianry approved pursuant to 21 NCAC 40 .0312, or

(2)           the National Academy of Opticianry's home study career progression program, or

(3)           any apprenticeship program, approved by the Board, which is offered by an optical place of business registered with the Board pursuant to 21 NCAC 40 .0202.  The Board shall approve such apprenticeship program if the program's curriculum summary contains subject matter similar to the curriculum summary of the National Academy of Opticianry's home study career progression program.

The classroom and laboratory time spent in the optical curriculum certificate progam shall be credited as part of the apprenticeship period and its minimum of 35 hours per week.  Certification that the apprentice has completed and passed one of the programs shall be required.  Apprentices registered with the Board on or before March 1, 1996, shall not be subject to the provisions of this Paragraph and may satisfy the apprenticeship requirement by completing the training program in which they are then registered.

(e)  No more than two persons, whether apprentices or interns or a combination, may be trained by an optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist at the same time.

(f)  An apprentice or intern shall be credited with training time only from the date of registration with the Board as an apprentice or intern.  The apprenticeship or internship may not be interrupted for more than 12 months at the time.

(g)  When registering to serve a six month internship, the applicant must have completed the three and one‑half years of apprenticeship as required by G.S. 90‑240(a)(2) and (3) or have completed the course of training required by G.S. 90‑240(a)(1).

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-239; 90-240; 90-243; 90‑249;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. September 6, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 29, 1977;

Amended Eff. February 1, 1996; January 1, 1994; July 1, 1991; February 1, 1989.