South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 96 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTICIANRY
South Carolina Code of Regulations – Chapter 96 governs the practice of opticianry in the state. This chapter is administered by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry, which operates under the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). The Board is responsible for licensing opticians, registering apprentices, investigating complaints, and conducting hearings.(llr.sc.gov)
📄 Regulatory Overview
You can access the full text of Chapter 96 here:
👉 Chapter 96 – Board of Examiners in Opticianry (PDF)
🧾 Key Provisions
1. Licensure Requirements
To obtain a license as an optician in South Carolina, applicants must:
Education & Experience: Graduate from a two-year ophthalmic dispensing program accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), hold a current, in good standing, optician's license from another licensing state, have been employed at least two years as an optician in a state that does not license opticians, or complete a South Carolina Registered Apprenticeship Program under a South Carolina state-licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.(llr.sc.gov)
Examinations:
Pass the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) National Opticianry Competency Examination.
Pass the ABO Virtual Practical Opticianry Examination.(llr.sc.gov, llr.sc.gov)
For contact lens dispensing licensure, applicants must also pass the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) examination. (llr.sc.gov)
2. Apprenticeship Program
A South Carolina Registered Apprenticeship commences upon written Board approval and includes supervised work experience and a formal education program. The apprentice must:(scstatehouse.gov)
Complete and submit proof of completion of a Board-approved formal education program in opticianry.
Serve the apprenticeship under the direct supervision of an approved South Carolina licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist who does not train more than two registered apprentices at a time.
Timely complete the apprenticeship requirements within two years for a full-time apprentice. (scstatehouse.gov)
3. Continuing Education
Every licensed optician is required to have four (4) hours of continuing education credit annually by October 1st. One (1) hour of the four (4) may be in practice management. If the optician holds a contact lens license, an additional one (1) hour is due in contact lens work, making a total of five (5) hours due annually. (llr.sc.gov)
4. Examinations
All applicants seeking licensure must pass both the ABO National Opticianry Competency Examination and the South Carolina Practical Opticianry Examination. The ABO Virtual Practical Examination may be taken twice before restrictions may be applied. Additional attempts require an application for re-examination and a year period following the notice of failure. (llr.sc.gov)
🛠️ Additional Resources
Licensure Information: Licensure Requirements
Examination Details: Examination Information
Continuing Education: CE Requirements
Board Meetings & Updates: Board Updates
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs
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