New Jersey § 52:17b-41

§ 52:17b-41.

No one may apprentice pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1952, c. 336 ( C. 52:17B-41.5 ) unless he is registered with the board. Subsequent to registration, an apprentice dispenser who does not hold an associate

degree in ophthalmic science or its equivalent from an accredited institution shall

serve a minimum of 36 months of apprenticeship during which time he shall accumulate

not less than the requisite number of school hours in board-approved courses in ophthalmic

science, which service and education shall be completed in the following manner: a. During the first 12 months of the apprenticeship, an apprentice dispenser shall

serve not less than one-half of his time in technical optical procedures and satisfactorily

complete not less than the requisite number of school hours of board-approved courses. b. Upon completion of the first 12 months as an apprentice dispenser and the requisite

educational requirements, an apprentice shall be required to take and pass a qualifying

technical examination established and administered by the board. In the event the apprentice dispenser fails such examination, he shall not thereafter

directly serve the public in the dispensing of ophthalmic products until he passes

the qualifying technical examination. Such apprentice dispenser who fails examination may take two subsequent examinations

for a total limit of three. An apprentice dispenser shall be required to take the first available qualifying

technical examination for which he is eligible. c. Upon successful completion of the qualifying technical examination, an apprentice

shall satisfactorily complete the remainder of the school hours of board-approved

courses while continuing to work full-time as an apprentice under the supervision

of a licensed dispenser for such additional period as necessary for the apprentice

dispenser to have accumulated the remainder of the required 36 months of work. Upon accumulation of not less than the requisite number of school hours and the

required supervised employment, the apprentice shall be eligible to take the examination

for licensure. Employment as an apprentice dispenser shall require supervision by a licensed ophthalmic

dispenser who may supervise the number of apprentices that the board permits by regulation.