Renewal is almost upon us!
The following information is copied directly from the SC Board of Examiners in Opticianry:
The South Carolina Board of Examiners in Opticianry has recently issued a clarification regarding the continuing education requirements. Per S.C. Code of Law 40-38-260(B) “An optician or apprentice annually shall attend a minimum of four hours of continuing education courses or meetings.” The Board has clarified that all licensees must complete the required four (4) hours for Opticians and Registered Apprenticeship and the one (1) hour for Contact Lens Distribution licenses on an annual basis. Licensees will attest to the completion of the hours on the biennial renewal form.
Example: Current Opticianry license expiration date 10/01/2021. CE Hours Required 10/02/2019-10/01/2020: four (4) hours CE Hours Required 10/02/2020-10/01/2021: four (4) hours
Example: Current Contact Lens Dispensing license expiration date 10/01/2021.CE Hours Required 10/02/2019-10/01/2020: one (1) hour CE Hours Required 10/02/2020-10/01/2021: one (1) hour Failure to attain the number of hours required annually and/or the total number of hours required biennially for license renewal may result in Board action and additionally may affect renewal of the license.
For additional CE Information, please visit the Board website at https://www.llr.sc.gov/opti/ce.aspx.
Continuing education credit will not be waived unless you are living outside of the United States and then it is temporarily waived until your return and must be made up before the next renewal.
CE Broker is the official CE tracking system of the Board. All licensees shall register CEs to their CE Broker account by October 1, 2025. If you have not yet activated your account, this can be done by visiting https://cebroker.com/sc/account/basic/.
Information about State Licensure can be found by calling 803-896-4681 or visiting the following link:
The criteria for CE course approval by South Carolina is as follows:
Courses and speakers must be ABO/NCLE approved.
ABO/NCLE certificates of attendance must be awarded.
Opticianry and contact lens courses must be technical in content.
One course hour of practice or retail management will be approved.
Course content must be generic in nature and presented in a manner that does not promote the sales or marketing of one product or one service or a business.
50 minutes of education equals one hour of credit.
No law courses from other states will be approved for South Carolina.
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Memberships run Jan 1- Dec 31, each year. Dues are $125 per year if paid before Dec 31st of the previous year, and a $50 late fee occurs if paid/postmarked after Dec 31st. To join or update your address, download a membership application here: SCAO Membership Application and send it in with your payment to:
SCAO or South Carolina Association of Opticians
And mail to:
PO Box 8185 Greenville, SC 29604
For a copy of our Bylaws, click this link: SCAO Bylaws