Opticians Association of America
(information copied with OAA permission)
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OAA State Association eConference & Meeting Guide
First Draft of March 1, 2007 Vol. 1, Issue 3
Next Issue: March 1, 2007 (Postings due by February 24, 2007)
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Alaska
Contact: Christi Brand
907-456-4822
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Colorado
Contact: Pat Pennington - patpenni@hotmail.com
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Georgia
Optician's Association of Georgia
P.O. Box 908912
Gainesville, GA 30151
Secretary - Jeannie Ethridge LDO
770-562-1114
Meetings
Golf Tournament - April 20, 2007
Spring Meeting - April 21-22, 2007
Winter Meeting
Golf Tournament November 2, 2007
Winter Meeting November 3-4, 2007
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Kentucky
Contact: Curt Duff - curtduff@insightbb.com
www.gosdok.com
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Louisianna
10 hours of ABO NCLC education.
The Lousianan Association of Dispensing Opticians will hold their Annual Convention April 20th -23rd in Lafayette, LA, at;
Hotel Acadiana
1801 W Pinhook Road
Lafayette, LA 70508
337.233.6102 or 800.826.8386
Group # 106246
Rooms rate $75.00 per night
Contact Gaye Wilson at 504.838.0312
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Maryland
The Opticians Association of Maryland will be holding their next convention:
Multi-Visions 2007
April 21-22, 2007
Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel
10100 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842
Credit hours - 5 hours Saturday and 4 hours Sunday
Total hours offered for the weekend:
5 hours ABO credit
4 hours NCLE credit
Saturday evening- Hawaiian Luau Theme Exhibit Hall and Banquet
More information contact:
Opticians Association of Maryland
Donita Dietz
Executive Secretary
410.557.9994
Email: opticianasocmd@aol.com
Website: www.marylandopticians.com ____________________________________________________________________
Massachusetts
Opticians Association of Massachusetts
PO Box 419
Medway, MA 02053
Phone: 508 533 1419
Fax: 508 533 3060
Email: OpticianMA@aol.com
Website: www.opticiansma.org
Sunday April 29, 2007
Spring Expo
DoubleTree Hotel Westborough, MA 8am-3pm
Course Tracks; 6 ABO Cec's , 6 NCLE Cec's, Business Track and CL Workshops
Contact Blair Wong, Executive Director
Annual Golf Tourney, September 2007
Fall & Annual Meeting; October 14, 2007
Westborough Doubletree Hotel
6 ABO & 6 NCLE Courses
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Michigan
Opticians Association of Michigan
Contact Person: Gary Broyles, Treasurer
517-331-1411
800-297-1668
Event: Opticians Association of Michigan Spring Convention
Date: March 9, 10, and 11, 2007
Description: ABO Examination Prep Course
ABO, NCLE & JCAHPO approved courses
Saturday luncheon and dinner buffets
Evening entertainment
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Mississippi
2007 Annual Meeting
June 8-10, 2007
Beau Rivage
Biloxi, MS
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New Hampshire
Program Title: NHOS Educational ConferenceContact: Denyse C. Blandina,ABOC President
60 Duncan Farms Road
Manchester, NH 03102
(603)626-7414-work
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New Jersey
Opticians Association of New Jersey
414 River View Plaza | Trenton, NJ 08611-3420
609.695.0030 | Fax: 609.393.9891
info@oanj.org
www.oanj.org
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Ohio
Contact the OAO office at 800-661-5367 or e-mail Info@OAO.org.
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Oregon
Contact: Dave Lien - optician@oregonoptician.org
www.oregonoptician.org
Spring Convention 2007
March 23-24, 2007
Hilton Convention Center
Eugene, OR
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Texas
ROATX - 2007
Call (512) 657-2020 for information
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Washington
Opticians Association of Washington
PO Box 2489
Yakima, WA 98907
Cambell Resort Lake Chelan WA Oct. 17-19, 2008
Donna Hatch
Executive Director
Opticians Association of Washington
P.O. Box 2489
Yakima WA 98907
1-509-961-4169
1-509-469-2117 Message
1-509-469-2134 Fax
dnhatch_oaw@yahoo.com
OAA American Optician e-Bulletin
Special Leadership Edition Winter 2007
Leadership Conference Provides Inspiration To Opticianry
Presidential Briefing
I want to send a thank you to all of you who attended
t h e L e a d er s h i p Conference in St.Petersburg, FL.
I think everyone who attended will agree that it was
both informative and entertaining.
Our goal for this conference is to have every
member state society attend. Additionally, we
invite all non-member states to join us to see for
themselves the level of cooperation and focus we
place on our partnerships. I would ask all of you to
both thank and support our meeting sponsors
Zeiss, Silhouette, and Alcon. Without their
commitment our conference would not be possible.
OAA has dedicated itself to the advancement of
opticianry on all levels. We make no exceptions and
accept no excuses. Our motivation is the understanding
that without a unified voice and mutual effort we will
never realize the great potential that we have within
our grasp.
It is time for us, as professionals, to look past personal issues
and prejudices. Only then will we be able to focus our energy
and efforts on the bright future that beckons.
OAA is proud to welcome Rhode Island back to our
association. We will strive to make our association
accessible and beneficial to every member.
If your state is not currently associated with OAA just
ask any of our state society members to tell you why
they think our partnership is not an option but an
absolute necessity.
Best Regards,
Mark F. Cloer, OAA President
Executive Director’s Report
State Leaders From Across The Country Convene At
22nd Annual OAA Leadership Conference
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) held its 22nd
Annual State Leadership Conference January 26 and 27, 2007
at the Heritage Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
The OAA State Leadership Conference is designed for state
association leaders to come together once a year, share
ideas, participate in specialized breakout sessions, learn new
skills and share ideas with their peers throughout the
country. More than 60 attendees representing states from all
over the United States gathered to be part of two intense days
of leadership meetings.
During General Session, Frank Fioramonti Esq., OAA’s Special
Counsel on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and Diane Charles,
OAA’s Legislative Committee Chair, gave the Legislative Update
on issues affecting Opticians on both the state and national
levels. Handouts included “How to Write a Press Release”, “How
to Write to Your Representatives in Congress”, and an article by
Harry Chiliguerian, member of OAA Legislative Committee
explaining the Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act.
Mark Mattison-Shupnick and Jim Vitkus of Jobson Publishing
presented “Optical Market Review: 2006 and Implications for
2007 and Beyond”. They also held two breakout sessions geared
specifically to State Associations on Continuing Education and
Helping Businesses and Individuals Grow More Effectively.
The two day conference included 11 different breakout topics
covering web-sites and newsletters, legislation, membership
issues, on-line cec’s and Board concerns as well as many other
sessions. Shirley Earley, Secretary/Treasurer of the Opticians
Association of Ohio and Board Member of OAA, received the highest
honor given to a State Leader, The State Leader of the Year Award,
in recognition of exemplary leadership and commitment and
dedication to advancing the interests of opticianry.
O p t i c i a n s Association of Michigan received the award for Best
State Newsletter for overall content and design. Amy Lewis, OAA
Leadership Committee Chair, presented the award to John Williams,
President of Opticians Association of Michigan. Mr. Williams accepted
the award on behalf of the organization.
The OAA State Leadership Conference was hailed by participants as a
great success. Linda Gilliam, Secretary of the Society of Dispensing Opticians
of Kentucky said, “The dynamic speakers and new topics were great” and
Denise Cook, President of the Opticians Association of Massachusetts said
the best parts of the conference were “Getting to know other state leaders,
the breakouts, which were great, and the Jobson people (publishers of 20/20
magazine) added a lot!”
A first time attendee Margie Chapman, President of the South Carolina
Association of Opticians added “I was amazed at all the information
given, leaders present and the help I received.”
Amy Lewis, Chair, OAA Leadership Committee, ended the conference by saying,
“OAA’s Leadership Conference is the perfect start to the new year. It’s a pleasure
to be involved with such a great organization and to work with members
dedicated to advancing opticianry both in their states and on a national level”.
Carl Zeiss Vision, Silhouette Optical Ltd., USA and Alcon Laboratories Inc. partnered
with OAA to help sponsor this great event.
Cate
Catherine E. Langley,
Executive Director
With the direction of 2008 State leadership Chair, Shirley Earley of Ohio,
and her leadership planning team, the OAA is already looking forward to next
year’s Leadership Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.
One of the many interesting breakout programs at this year’s conference
included a strategic planning and analysis of the Leadership Conference
itself, conducted by Mark Bennett of Ohio and Dan Sullivan of Massachusetts.
Attendees shared their thoughts and ideas as to the strengths and
opportunities for improving the Leadership Conference for next year and
for future meetings. The most common strengths shared by the attendees
included being able to network, share ideas, and learn from colleagues who
share a passion for advancing our profession, who have a vast variety of
experience, and can create a sense of camaraderie and community.
Amazingly, the leadership planning team is already hard at work, striving to make
next year’s conference even better
Based upon the results from the strategic planning breakout session, the 2008
conference committee plans to have greater communication and promotion of the 2008
Leadership Conference with the goal in mind to have even more states in attendance
than ever before. Check the OAA website for updated information.
How To Contact Us
Opticians Association of America
441 Carlisle Drive Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: 800 433 8997
Fax: 703 437 0727
Website: www.oaa.org
eMail: oaa@oaa.org
Executive Officers:
President
Mark F. Cloer, HFOAA Jackson, MS
1st Vice President
Thomas Hicks, HFOAA Oxford, Ohio
2nd Vice President
Diane Charles, HFOAA Seattle, WA
Immediate Past President
Elmo J. Spellman, HFOAA Metairie, LA
Secretary/ Treasurer
James Boggs, HFOAA Cleveland, MS
Directors:
Sandy Brown New Albany, IN
Curt Duff
Lexington, KY
Shirley Earley Loveland, OH
Joe Reed
Gainesville, GA
Michael Szczerbiak Creedmore, NC
Blair Wong Medway, MA
Thomas Zizka Brighton, MI
Executive Director
Catherine Langley Herndon, VA
February 5th, 2007
1-800 Signs Long-term Supply Agreements with CL Suppliers
1-800 CONTACTS announced it recently signed long-term supply agreements
with its three largest contact lens suppliers, CIBA Vision, CooperVision and Vistakon.
(The company has purchased directly from Bausch & Lomb (B&L), its fourth largest
supplier, without a written agreement since 2001.) “For the first time in the company’s
history, we can now purchase directly, as an authorized account, every lens marketed
by the four largest manufacturers,” said Jonathan Coon, Chief Executive Officer.
“We believe these four manufacturers represent approximately 98% of all soft contact
lenses sold in the United States.”
Mr. Coon also said the company will no longer seek to amend the Fairness to Contact
Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA). “In its most recent session, to ensure that consumers could
fill their prescriptions from the business of their choice, Congress considered legislation
regarding contact lens distribution practices. We supported that legislation. However, we
believe the market solution embodied in these recent supply agreements is adequate to
ensure a competitive market — making legislation unnecessary at this time,” he said.
“We expect the large amounts of our selling, general and administrative expenses that
have for years been dedicated to legislative and legal initiatives will decrease,” added
Brian Bethers, President. “However, it will take time to rebuild our business with customers
we have not been able to serve for several years.”
This was an interesting ruling in California regarding doctor’s offices being able to dispense:
Optical Chains Win in 'One-Stop Shopping' Case as Judge Deems Calif. Law Unconstitutional
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--A federal judge ruled here yesterday that California laws barring national
optical chains from offering both eyewear sales and eye examinations at the same location violate
the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause.
The ruling was a victory for LensCrafters and Eye Care Centers of America, which along
with the National Association of Optometrists and Opticians had mounted a legal challenge to the
state's regulations.
In his opinion, U. S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton said ODs and ophthalmologists based
in California are permitted to sell glasses in their offices and to advertise as "one-stop-shops," while
national optical chains are "forbidden from competing for the same customers in the same way."
Karlton concluded that California's regulatory structure substantially affects and discriminates
against interstate commerce.
"The challenged regulations prohibit all interstate firms from competing with in-state
optometrists on the same terms," Karlton said.
Evidence submitted in the case indicated that more than 90 percent of California's
private-practice ODs sell eyewear, with those ODs holding a 60 percent share of eyewear sales
in the state.
A spokesman for California attorney general Bill Lockyer, who had strongly pursued the
case, said his office is reviewing the ruling to decide whether to appeal
Mark Bennett, CAE
Executive Director
Opticians Association of Ohio
Phone: 740-452-4541 x3187
Fax: 614-501-1101
E-mail: mbennett@offinger.com
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STATE LICENSE AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
No state board or license requirements
Exam: ABO & NCLE
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Mandatory Continuing Education: 10 hours
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
(907) 465-5470
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pdop.htm
Exam: ABO & NCLE + state practical exam
License Renewal Period: Annual
Mandatory Continuing Education: 12 hours over 3 years; at least 4 hours in spectacles, 3 hours in CL, 1 hour in state or national opticianry standards
1400
602-542-3095
Exam:
License Renewal Period:
Mandatory Continuing Education:
Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians
870-572-2847
Exam:
ABO & NCLE
License Renewal Period:
Mandatory Continuing Education:
916-263-2382
http://www.medbd.ca.gov/RDO_Program.htm
No state board or licensing requirements
Exam: ABO & NCLE, + State Practical Exam
License Renewal Period: Annual
Mandatory Continuing Education: 7 hours
Optician Licensure
860-509-7603
http://www.ct-clic.com/trantype.asp?code=829
No state board or licensing requirements
Exam: ABO &NCLE + State Exam
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 20 hours/2 years:
13 directly related to technical practice of which 1 must be CL, 2 hours in Laws and Rules, 1 HIV/AIDS education, 2 prevention of medical errors, 2 hours electives. Max 5 hours from courses without classroom instruction.
Board of Opticianry
850-245-4474
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/opticianry
Exam: ABO, NCLE + State Practical Exam
License Renwal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 10 hours/2 years
478-207-2440
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/opticians/
Exam: ABO & NCLE
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: None
Dispensing Optician Program
808-586-2704
http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/programs/dispensingoptician/
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
Exam: ABO & NCLE + State Practical Exam
License Renewal Period: Annual
Continuing Education Requirements: 6 hours/year
502-564-3296
http://finance.ky.gov/ourcabinet/caboff/OAS/op/ophdis/
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
Exam: ABO +state practical exam, effective 7/1/2007 NCLE
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: Total 12 every 2 years: 6 in spectacles or 5 ABO coursework and 1 in state and federal laws and regulations; 6 hours in contact lenses or 5 NCLE and 1 CPR
617-627-5339
http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/do/index.htm
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
Exam:
ABO & NCLE + state Exam
License Renewal Period: Annual
Continuing Education Requirements: 2 hours if limited license; 14 hours if dispensing license, 7 in contact lenses
Board of Dispensing Opticians
775-853-1421
State requires registration
Registration Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements 8 hours/2 years
129 Pleasant St
603-271-5127
Exam: State exam
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 12 hours/2 years, 3 must be CL
973-504-6435
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/ophthalmic.htm
No state board or license requirements
Exam: ABO & NCLE +state practical exam
License Renewal Period: Triennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 18 hours/3 years with 3 hours in CL; if license for CL 20 hours/3 years with 10 hours in CL.
518-474-3817
http://www.op.nysed.gov/odfaq.htm
Exam: State
License Renewal Period:
Continuing Education Requirements:
919-733-9321
No state board or license requirements
Exam:
License Renewal Period:
Continuing Education Requirements: 4 hours/year spectacle w/ spec license, 8 hours/year CL w/CL license
http://www.op.nysed.gov/odfaq.htm
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
No state board or license requirements
Exam: ABO + state practical exam
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 12 hours/2 years
Advisory Committee of Opticianry
3 Capitol Hill
http://www.health.ri.gov/hsr/professions/optic.php
Exam: NCLE
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 8 hours/2 years + 2 hours in CL if licensed for CL; 2 hours of the 8 may be in practice management
(803) 896-4681
http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Opticians/
No state board or license requirements
Exam: ABO, NCLE, & State
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 8 hours/1 year: 4 hours in spectacles, 2 hours in CL, 2 hours optional
227 French Landing,
(888) 310-4650
Voluntary registration
Texas Department of State Health Services MC-1982
(512) 834-6661
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/optician/default.shtm
No state board or licensing requirements
Exam: ABO
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: 10 hours/2 years; no more than 3 hours in CL, no more than 2 hours home study
Board of Opticians
(802) 828-2191
http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/opticians/
Exam: ABO, NCLE & state practical exam
License Renewal Period: Biennial
Continuing Education Requirements: None
(804) 367-8500
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/opt_main.htm
Exam: State written and practical exams
License Renewal Period: Annual
Continuing Education Requirements: 30 Hours/3 years; 15 of those hours in CL
(360) 236-4947
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/hps4/Dispensing_Optician/default.htm
No state board or license requirements
Membership
Benefits
Opticians Association of America (OAA)?
The mission of OAA is to Advance America's Opticians. OAA is the only national
organization that represents an opticians professional, business, educational,
legislative and regulatory interests.
The OAA was established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians. OAA is a
non-profit organization made up of retail optical dispensing firms, state
associations, and individuals. OAA works to insure the continuing availability
of the best possible optical dispensing services and to promote and defend the
eyewear consumers' right to freedom of choice in obtaining eyewear. OAA's number
one legislative priority is licensure for opticians in all 50 states. Under
OAA's very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to
consumers, as well as owners/managers of retail optical firms, state opticianry
associations and suppliers to professional opticianry find a common goal in
Advancing America's Opticians.
As a member of the
OAA, you will receive:
Subscription to
American Optician
Continuing
Education Credits through an OAA publication
No Annual Fee
VISA Card
Discounts on
educational resources
Discounts on
registration fees
A voice in
protecting, defending and expanding the professional rights of opticians
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What are the
benefits of belonging to the National organization? |
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) represents the business and professional interests of the nation's dispensing opticians, the men and women who fill prescriptions, issued by ophthalmologists and optometrists for corrective eyewear, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and ocular prostheses.
OAA is a unified, voluntary, national not-for-profit organization made up of four categories of voting members: retail Optical dispensing firms, state associations of opticians, individual dispensing opticians, and associate members. In addition the category of associate member allows interested industry suppliers to actively support the goals of opticianry. OAA's primary purposes are to foster a broader understanding and acceptance of professional retail optical dispensing as indispensable to the health and welfare of the public and to provide the public with efficient, effective and accurate optical dispensing services.
History and Structure
Founded in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians of America to represent the interests of retail optical firm owners, the organization worked to secure the rights of dispensing opticians to fit and dispense eyewear directly to the consumer, independent of those who examine eyes and prescribe eyewear. Reorganized in 1972 as the Opticians Association of America the organization for the first time brought together independent retail optical firm owners, optical corporations, state societies of opticians and individual optical dispensers employed in a variety of professional and retail settings.
OAA's positions are established by its Delegate Assembly which represents member firms, member state societies, associate members and individual members. In addition, the Delegate Assembly elects the members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the Association. Directly responsible to the Board, the Association's Executive Director oversees management of OAA activities including the services provided the American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examiners, OAA Foundation. National Committee of State Opticianry Licensing Boards, Opticians Committee for Political Education and the Educational Foundation in Ophthalmic Optics.
Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy
Today, OAA works to insure the continuing availability of the best possible optical dispensing services and to promote and defend the eyewear consumer's right to freedom of choice in obtaining eyewear. Through the courts, OAA successfully fought to have the prescription release rule affirmed as the law applicable in all states. Through its program of legislative and regulatory advocacy, OAA protects and defends its members' rights to be compensated equitably by third party plans such as Medicare. Before state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, OAA is the voice promoting acceptance of opticianry as a qualified, effective partner in the nation's eye care delivery system, and an important competitive balance serving to keep the cost of eyewear within the reach of all.
OAA represents opticians and eyewear consumers before government and other organizations that influence the provision of optical dispensing services. These include the Federal Trade Commission and Health Care Financing Administration.
Consumer Rights/Prescription Release -- In 1994, Washington enacted a Vision Care Consumer Assistance law (VCCA) which is a model other states may emulate. VCCA ensures access to vision care for all consumers by clarifying the content of prescriptions and requiring that all prescriptions be released automatically to patients following the eye exam. VCCA writes into state law the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission Prescription Release Rule (which currently applies only to spectacles) and expands the scope of coverage to include contact lenses. When OAA files its comments in the current Prescription Release Rule proceeding, it will advocate that prescription release requirements also apply to contact lenses.
Provider Equity -- OAA supports legislation which would both level the playing field for all competitors within the health care sector and protect the right of patients to select the providers of their choice. OAA supports (1)nondiscrimination standards which would prohibit discrimination against providers based on the type of license or certification they hold and discrimination against consumers for any reason; (2)coverage for "out of network" services through point-of-service plans; and (3)due process standards for patients and providers including fair and open network selection processes and equitable grievance procedures.
Support for Voluntary Credentialing and Continuing Education
A major purpose of OAA is to encourage, establish and maintain standards of competence, knowledge and performance for optical dispensers through voluntary national certification and registration programs that include examination and continuing education requirements. OAA was a founder of and appoints members of the boards of directors of the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners, the national certifying agencies.
Members are Represented
in Many Other
Eye Care and Business Organizations
OAA is represented on the governing boards of the American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examiners, Better Vision Institute, Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, International Opticians Association, National Committee of State Opticianry Regulatory Boards, Opticians Committee for Political Education, Tissue Banks International and the Educational Foundation in Ophthalmic Optics. OAA has on-going liaison and collaboration on matters of mutual interest with the Contact Lens Society of America, National Academy of Opticianry, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, Optical Laboratories Association, Optical Manufacturers Association, Vision Council of America, American National Standards Institute, International Standards Organization, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Legislative Council.
Services Address Specific Member Needs
Within the broad framework of its charges to preserve, protect defend and expand the rights of its members to participate independently in the eyewear delivery system and to provide and encourage education for its members, OAA provides a range of services that address specific need of dispensing opticians.
The need for state Licensing:
OAA supports licensure, registration, or legal recognition of opticians in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Consumers in every state must be assured of the quality of the eyewear services they receive. OAA believes: (1)the only way to safeguard public health and safety is through specific statutory language defining what constitutes the scope of practice of ophthalmic dispensing, the qualifications to practice opticianry, and continuing education requirements; (2)enhanced education standards for opticians entering the marketplace in the future can be assured only through legislative mandate; (3)recognition of opticians in state law is necessary to ensure a level playing field in the vision care sector, because of managed vision care and third-party plan conditions; and (4)pending federal legislation which would mandate minimum nondiscrimination standards for managed care organizations requires providers to be licensed, certified, or otherwise recognized under applicable state law.
State Opticianry Licensing Boards
The need for education:
OAA sponsors and promotes basic and continuing education for opticians at its annual convention and at other meetings as well as through publications that are distributed nationally to individual dispensing opticians.
Protection of the public
health and safety in the eyecare delivery system requires upgrading education
standards for ophthalmic dispensers. Establishment of a national standardized
formal educational program requiring at the minimum a two-year associate's
degree is the first step in strengthening consumer protection standards in the
optical marketplace. A comprehensive three-phase curriculum has been developed
to implement the formal education standard incrementally. A two year associate
degree must be the sole qualification for future opthalmic dispensers. OAA
strongly supports legislation in every state to require a two-year degree
combined with the gradual phasing out of apprenticeship programs.
OAW Office / Legislation / Education / Convention / Membership