Georgia License

[indeye]

Hello everyone,
Does anyone know if Georgia has reciprocity with Florida? If not. Who does have reciprocity with Florida?
Thanks

[harry a saake]

last i knew, no one

[LKahn]

In Florida, licesure for all regulated professions is run by the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) on the web at www.myflorida.com

[Diane]

Since Florida doesn't offer reciprocity, Georgia doesn't. Florida doesn't want nor need to reciprocate with other states since there would then be an influx of persons desiring to "semi - retire" to Florida. However, if you've maintained your ABO and NCLE certifications, a number of states will be relatively easy to get your license.

Georgia requires the ABO, NCLE and passage of the Georgia practical, which this year will be offered 4 times. That could change next year.

Diane

[hcjilson]

Reciprocity, by definition, is something that works both ways. Due to what I choose to call "protectionism" rather than "professional superiority" (although both have applied in the past) it is unrealistic to think reciprocity will ever happen between the states.There's just a whole lot of professional protectionism out there, even though we all practice the same thing in the same way.

The National Committee of State Optical Regulatory Boards (NCSORB) has come to the realization that the idea of reciprocity is dead, however they recognize the need to standardize the requirements for entry level admission to our profession, and also allow practitioners the freedom to cross state lines in order to practice. Obviously the ABO test is being used by most, if not all regulated states and it serves the purpose. Those states allowed to fit and sell contact lenses use the NCLE exam as well. Most regulated state states also require a practical examination prior to licensure. The problem is that the practical test is not standardized and in many cases is subjective in nature, allowing the charge that states can restrict the influx of practitioners by failing qualified applicants.

It is for this reason NCSORB has embarked on the quest for one practical examination which would satisty the requirements of all states.There have been a number of stumbling blocks put in front of NCSORB's efforts but it appears they are on track. Funding for the work that needs to be done in order to accomplish this is basically non existant, and NCSORB is working on this as I write. This effort is being directed by Jon Bright of Virginia and supported by the rest of the board, however he deserves the lion's share of the credit.

If we are successful in forging a "National Practical" and it's adopted by each state, we can then proceed with the idea of a compact between states, to allow practitioners the flexibility enjoyed by other professions. The compact idea is how we envision the future of all professions. It's really quite simple and innovative. An outline of it can be found here;

http://www.mass.gov/dpl/services/press/nw000100.htm

It is my hope that all regulatory board members who read this will visit the site to learn how we can get the result we all want.
Sorry to be so long winded, thanks for sticking through it!:bbg:

[HarryChiling]

Nice post and great information Harry.

[chip anderson]

Don't know about GA-FL but I lived in GA once they accepted my TX license and let me drive without a test.
Chip

[indeye]

Thank you everyone.

[indeye]

Since Florida doesn't offer reciprocity, Georgia doesn't. Florida doesn't want nor need to reciprocate with other states since there would then be an influx of persons desiring to "semi - retire" to Florida. However, if you've maintained your ABO and NCLE certifications, a number of states will be relatively easy to get your license.

Georgia requires the ABO, NCLE and passage of the Georgia practical, which this year will be offered 4 times. That could change next year.

Diane

Dianne, What does the Georgia practical consist of now? Also do you have a website where I can find registration info?

[Diane]

Dianne, What does the Georgia practical consist of now? Also do you have a website where I can find registration info?

Indeye,

Go to http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/opticians/ to find information on registration.

The practical consists of neutralizing 4 pairs of glasses and transferring the information to a scantron sheet. Sounds simple, and it should be, but the pass rate is well under 50 percent. Anyway, good luck to you.

Diane

[Diane]

Anyone wishing to take the Georgia state practical should have a good understanding of lensometry (use of a focimeter). B&L 70, Marco, AO. If you use something else, find one of the others and learn to use it. A candidate may request the instrument of their choice when applying, but NOT onsite. Remember to FOCUS the instrument, first. Know how to use calipers, lens clocks, PD rulers and how to accurately measure the A, B and ED of a frame, seg heights, PD's and figure prism and decentration.

This is stuff we do every day, or should be doing.

Just some information.

Diane

[indeye]

Thank you Dianne, that was very helpfull