So I have a great question (well, in my mind it's great). I have seem some productive, and some, not so productive discussion's about the word Optician. Most of the post's I see are people raging mad claiming you CANNOT use the word Optician if you are not licensed. (Insert great question) Why do I see state certificates(from The American Board of Opticianry) that say: "Joe Smith" is a designated Certified Optician?? Now this, "joe Smith" passed his ABO in the state of Florida.
What say you??
Certified vs Licensed Optician
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. Mark Twain
In CT you can only be an Optician (licensed) or an Apprentice Optician. There is no Certified Optician.
Caroline, L.O.
If you suffer from severe nonlinear waterfowl issues, you don't have your ducks in a row.
This is my perspective on the question. In states which require a license to practice Opticianry, we are Licensed Opticians. In states where no state license is required, certification from the American Board of Opticianry entitles the use of Certified Optician. I capitalize the words where I know that the professional I'm referring to is either licensed and regulated by a state agency or the holder of a certificate issued by the ABO.
"joe Smith" has an ABO certificate in a state that requires a license to practice, so IMHO "joe" is almost an Optician. When "joe" passes his NCLE exam and the Florida State Board exams, he will be a Licensed Optician.
In VA, you cannot hold yourself out to the public as an Optician unless you are licensed as such by the State Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians. Not on your website, not on your business cards, not on your name tag. If you're doing it anyway, stop. If you know someone who is, file a complaint. Don't cheapen the profession by allowing unregulated activity to continue.
I guess I just don't have a problem with the word "Optician", if it is used properly. If the Board of Opticianry says "Joe Smith" is a Certified Optician....then he is. Florida is a licensed state, but apparently, depending on if you have passed the ABO or not will determine if you are "licensed" or "certified".
And to Judy, calm down, I don't know anyone who is doing anything they shouldn't. I'm not "cheapening" anything. I was just asking opinions....
Does the general public care one single iota what you call yourself?
By and large, a resounding no.
This is almost as good as Football on Thanksgiving, we haven't had time for the turkey to digest and we're already going at it. While I've been trying like hell for years to get them to call me, Mr Tibbs. The public at large just calls me, the big effing Dude with the cool glasses. Can't wait for the half time entertainment.
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. Mark Twain
A turd is a turd is a turd. I really dont care what you or your State call you. Do you know your cookies?
Originally Posted by drstewart74
Dr. Stewart, I'm not even breathing hard. I AM passionate about my chosen profession, however and I do not like the title tossed around as though it has no meaning or is not deserving of respect and I am an appointed member of our state board.
Good to know your feelings, Dick.
Perhaps because Utah has no licensing requirement and therefore no frame of reference?
Easy there Judy. Conduct yourself in the "professional" manner that you would like to perceived as. Lets not go potty mouth in here.
Keeps going like this I can see the thread being closed.
OK, here we go......
When I was in Florida, I did the 3000 hours to sit for my Boards. However, my boss at the time did NOT sign off on my paperwork. His reasoning was, you don't need no stinkin license....now, granted , I was being paid a hell of a lot more that pretty much every licensed Optician I knew; however, when in Rome.......What can I say about Dr. A Hole,OD......
Now I'm in North Carolina. I plan on retiring in less than 10 years. Who gives a crap about a licensed here,as...you guessed it, I'm already being paid more than the licenses I know.
Ok, so being in the business over 39 years has its privileges. HOWEVER, we I to own my own place...I'd have to have a license.
I came into this business surfacing glass glass at B&L in NE DC. I've owned optical shops and ran them for others, as I do now.
THE GUYS WHO PAYS MY SALARY CALLS ME ON OPTICIAN....and in that, the argument ends.....
"Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde"
If you take an extra second or two to read his signature line you'll see that it's his name. #notholierthanthou
Judy must not of had a nice holiday.
Too bad there isn't a popcorn smiley LOL
I'm a manufacturing optician. Does it really matter outside of your own state?
Actually Dr. Stewart, in Florida there is no such thing as a "Certified Optician," and the Board of Opticianry does not refer to that title in regards to any eye care professional or optical industry person, in Florida. You are either an Apprentice Optician, meaning you are working your way towards being a Licensed Optician through on-the-job training, or you are a Licensed Dispensing Optician, meaning you have (or had at one time) ABO & NCLE credentials and have passed the state practical exam (now the NCSORB), and have maintained said license via continuing education credits. If you are neither of these, then legally you cannot use Optician in your title.
As for Judy's response, I agree completely. You can't legally call yourself a doctor, lawyer, accountant, mechanic, etc, or practice said profession, without first showing the knowledge, skills or education to do so, and without obtaining licensure or certification for the profession. Why should Opticianry be any different? I've seen far too many so-called opticians who were bagging groceries a month earlier and didn't know how to adjust a frame.
I've decided to add my two cents. Ready?
for those of us who jumped through the hoops and did the work to become a titled "optician" whether It be through school or through apprenticship, I feel we can call ourselves the way our states says. So for me, I feel like I've earned the right to be called a licensed optician. Would I ever says something to a fellow colleague if they were calling themselves an optician but were not? No. Would I be a shmuck to others here on OB for having an opinion? Nope.
Florida statute 484.002 (4)
"Optician" means any person licensed to practice opticianry pursuant to this part.
(notice it says nothing about calling yourself board certified by ABO or NCLE. Florida board does not regulate those two national organisations)
So since the state of Florida has a state statute aka law against it then before holding yourself out to the public as a "Optician" you best have a Florida State Opticians License to do so. Or suffer the repercussions thereof.
But I am like most of you. A Optician in my mind is what you call some one who makes eyeglasses. Just like a baker bakes a cook cooks a mechanic repairs cars a builder builds things. In the mind of the public they for the most part do not know if I have a license or not. They just want someone they can trust to do their work. States and state boards have made the mountain out of a mole hill with the licenses issue. But it was done with good intent.
And no don't get me wrong. Close to 35 years of this business it should be quite obvious that I enjoy my work and I have no intent in giving up anytime soon. I met my wife in this business 23 years ago and she has just as many qualifying license certificates and degrees as I do. So as I said we enjoy the business.
Mr Finney.
Have you forgot about the necessary requirements here in Florida to be a "Board Certified Optician" to fill fit and adapt contacts?
Nope, didn't forget that at all, technically it's "Board Certified Licensed Dispensing Optician" so I didn't want to muddy the waters where the original post was concerned.
Oh lord lets not confuse the little minions
Sometimes people get confused over the terms "certified" and "licensed". They are, in fact, not the same.
Bryan Finley, Florida Board Certified Licensed Dispensing Optician
And one should state which body of regulating agency they are forming their opinion from. National standards do not trump state standards and state does not trump national. But if you are in a state with a State Statue aka law, you had better abide by that statue or face legal repercussions brought on by the state. Most the time the state would rather not be bothered by such trivial matters.
And then you can also have the State Board which will have its own set of guidelines they want you to play by.
I find that most people do not understand the differences in the regulating agency's and where their authority starts and stops. Most people do not understand the difference in a State Statute aka Law and Board Rule.
When you do not understand these things that's when things get heated.
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