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PROCEDURE FOR LICENSING
For applicants trained in optical dispensing in New South Wales there are three stages involved in obtaining an Optical Dispensers Licence.
Step 1
Following enrolment in the optical dispensing course at the Sydney Institute of Technology or the Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) and the commencement in dispensing duties in a dispensing or optometry practice, an application is lodged for an Approval to Practise Under Direct Supervision with the Board.
The application is made on the approved form which may be downloaded from this site or obtained from the Board's office. Attached to the form is a statutory declaration which must be completed by the applicant stating that there are no criminal convictions or other matters to be considered by the Board. If a conviction does exist then the declaration should not be signed and details should be provided on a separate sheet.
Following approval by the Board, an Approval to Practise Certificate is issued valid for a period determined by the Board.
An Approval to Practise gives the holder the right to practise optical dispensing for the purpose of gaining practical experience under the provisions of the Optical Dispensers Act.
Step 2
Following successful completion of Stage 1 of the tertiary training, the student is required to complete 800 hours of documented practical experience in optical dispensing. This practical work, under the direct supervision of a licensed optical dispenser and/or registered optometrist, includes a broad range of dispensing duties as set out in the Log Book but does not include workshop duties.
The Log Book which must be completed during this phase is issued to students by the Board when the Board is satisfied that the applicant is the holder of an Approval to Practise. Log Books are available from the Board's office for a fee of $10.00.
Step 3
On completion of the 800 hours of practical experience and successful completion of the tertiary training an Application for Licence can be lodged with the Board. Application forms may be downloaded from this site or obtained from the Board's office.
The Application form should be accompanied by the Log Book, duly signed by the applicant and supervisor, the registration fee and evidence of satisfactory completion of the tertiary training. The Log Book is returned to the applicant after consideration by the Board. Documents which must accompany the application are itemised on the form.
IMPORTANT
Applications for Approval and Licence must be made on the approved forms and must be complete.
Applications which are not signed, do not have the necessary accompanying documents or are otherwise incomplete will result in a delay in the processing of your application. All photocopies must be certified by a Justice of the Peace or Solicitor to be true copies of the original document.
Applications are considered at the monthly Board meetings and are to be submitted 10 days prior to the meeting.
Board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Please note no meeting is held in January.