21 NCAC 40 .0314             APPRENTICESHIP AND INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS: REGISTRATION

(a)  Each trainee entering the apprenticeship or internship shall register with the Board providing contact information, training establishment wherein training is being served, name of sponsoring trainer, and paying fees per G.S. 90-246.

(1)           The apprenticeship registration fee shall be paid on initial registration and on or before June 30 each year for an annual renewal.

(2)           The internship registration fee shall be paid on initial registration.

(3)           The work as an apprentice or intern shall be full time, defined as a minimum of 32 hours per week, under the training sponsorship of a licensed optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist.

(4)           Part-time work or work as an optical salesman or consultant shall not apply toward completion of apprenticeship or internship.

(5)           No more than two persons, whether apprentices or interns or a combination, may be registered and under training sponsorship of any one optician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist at the same time.

(6)           An apprentice or intern shall be credited with training time only from the date of registration and fee payment with the Board as an apprentice or intern.

(A)          If an apprentice or intern is transferred to another business location or another registered trainer, or ceases employment with the registered training establishment, the trainer shall document to the Board the trainee's beginning and ending dates under their training.

(B)          An apprentice or intern shall be credited by the Board with time documented by a prior trainer if the apprentice or intern registers under another trainer within 12 months of ending training with a prior trainer.

(b)  In addition to the work specified in Subparagraph (a)(3) of this Rule, the curriculum for the apprentice shall include one of the following, as chosen by the apprentice:

(1)           an optical curriculum certificate program presented by a school of opticianry approved pursuant to Rule .0312 of this Chapter; or

(2)           the National Academy of Opticianry's home study Career Progression Program; or

(3)           any apprenticeship program, approved by the Board, which is offered by an optical place of business registered with the Board pursuant to Rule .0202 of this Chapter. The Board shall approve such apprenticeship program if the program's curriculum summary contains subject matter similar to the curriculum summary of the National Academy of Opticianry's home study Career Progression Program.

The classroom and laboratory time spent in the optical curriculum certificate program shall be credited as part of the apprenticeship period and its minimum of 32 hours per week. Certification that the apprentice has completed and passed one of the approved programs shall be required.

(c)  When registering to serve a six month internship, the applicant must have completed the two and one‑half years of apprenticeship as required by G.S. 90‑240(a)(2) and (3) or have completed the course of training required by G.S. 90‑240(a)(1).

(d)  Trainers shall document to the Board completion of training for apprentices and interns.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-239; 90-240; 90-243; 90‑249;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. September 6, 1977;

Readopted Eff. September 29, 1977;

Amended Eff. February 1, 1996; January 1, 1994; July 1, 1991; February 1, 1989;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. December 22, 2018;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2019.