Online Form 1 - Application for Licensure
All applicants for licensure must initially submit Form 1 along with the $108 licensure and first registration fee. You must answer all questions and provide all information requested unless otherwise indicated. Failure to accurately complete all required parts of the application will delay its review. Additional forms below are required based on the licensure requirements of the profession. Do not use Form 1 to renew your existing license.
Continuing Your Application
If you have started an application within the past 30 days, and have not yet completed it, you can use this link to continue your application. You will need your Application ID, Social Security Number, and Date of Birth.
Upload Additional Documentation
If you have already completed an application, but you have additional documents or files to include in your previous submission, use this link to upload additional documentation. You will need your Application ID and Date of Birth.
Form 2 - Certification of Professional Education in Ophthalmic Dispensing
This form must be submitted directly by the educational institution you attended.
- Section I: Complete this section of the form before sending it to your school. Be sure to sign and date item 7.
- Section II: The Registrar or appropriate school official must complete this section and return the form in a school envelope directly to the Office of the Professions at the mailing address at the end of the form.
NOTE: For programs that are not registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying, or, if outside New York State, not accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA), an official transcript and a syllabus of the course of study must be included.
Form 3 - Certification of Ophthalmic Dispensing Licensure in Another Jurisdiction
This is only required for applicants licensed in another state or U.S. territory.
This form must be submitted directly by the licensing authority.
- Section I: Complete this section of the form before sending it to the licensing authority of each jurisdiction in which you are or have been licensed as an ophthalmic dispenser. Be sure to sign and date item 8.
- Section II: The licensing authority must complete this section, sign, date and return the form directly to the Office of the Professions at the mailing address at the end of the form.
Note: A Form 3 is not required for licenses/certificates issued by the New York State Education Department. Also, If the certification/verification documentation provided by a U.S. jurisdictions contains the same information requested in the Form 3, completion of a Form 3 for that jurisdiction is not necessary. For certification/verification documentation that does not contain the same information, a Form 3 will need to be completed for that jurisdiction.
Form 4 - Certification of Trainee Experience in Ophthalmic Dispensing And/Or Contact Lens Dispensing
- If you have completed a two-year training program in ophthalmic dispensing approved by the New York State Education Department or a one-year training program in contact lens dispensing approved by the Department, complete Section I of this form and submit it to the individuals(s) who supervised your trainee experience. They must then complete Section II and submit the form directly to the Office of the Professions at the address at the end of the form.
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Additional Required Documentation
Applicants for ophthalmic dispensing licensure who have met the professional education requirement through an approved traineeship must also submit a certificate from the National Academy of Opticianry documenting completion of the Career Progression Program. In addition, the Department must have on file a high school transcript documenting completion of one year of mathematics such as algebra or geometry.
Applicants for certification in contact lens dispensing who have met the professional education requirement through an approved traineeship must also submit a certificate from the Contact Lens Society of America documenting completion of the Contact Lens Study Manual.
These certificates must be submitted directly by the issuing organization and will not be accepted if submitted by the applicant.
Online Form 5 - Application for a Limited Permit for Ophthalmic Dispensing
All applicants for a limited permit must initially submit Form 5 along with the $35 limited permit fee. You must also submit a Form 5CS - Certification of Supervisor for Limited Permit along with your application.
Continuing Your Application If you have started an application within the past 30 days, and have not yet completed it, you can use this link to continue your application. You will need your Application ID and Date of Birth.
Upload Additional Documentation
If you have already completed an application, but you have additional documents or files to include in your previous submission, use this link to upload additional documentation. You will need your Application ID and Date of Birth.
Changes to Supervisors and/or Settings
If you change supervisors and/or settings, or you have to add or remove a supervisor or setting, after a permit is issued, you must obtain an amended permit using the Limited Permit Change Form. After changes are processed you will receive an amended permit. A fee is not required for an amended permit issued as a result of a change in supervisor or setting. You must also submit a Form 5CS - Certification of Supervisor for Limited Permit for each new supervisor you are adding (see Upload Additional Documentation above).
Form 5T - Application for Trainee Permit
Only use this form if you are applying for a Trainee Permit in Ophthalmic Dispensing and/or Contact Lens Dispensing
Complete this form and submit it with a $30 fee for the ophthalmic dispensing trainee permit and/or a $30 fee for the contact lens trainee permit directly to the Office of the Professions at the address at the end of the form. Please note that this form includes separate attestation sections for supervisors of ophthalmic dispensing trainees and contact lens dispensing trainees. A social security number is not required for a permit. If you do not have one, leave the item blank.
Documentation Of Enrollment In A Training Program
If you are seeking a trainee permit in ophthalmic dispensing, you must have the National Academy of Opticianry send us a letter indicating your purchase and enrollment in the Career Progression Program.
If you are seeking a trainee permit in contact lens dispensing, you must have the Contact Lens Society of America send a letter indicating your purchase and enrollment in the Contact Lens Study Manual program.
Documentation Of High School And Mathematics Completion
If you are applying for an ophthalmic dispensing trainee permit, you must ask your high school to send a copy of your high school transcript documenting completion of one year of mathematics such as algebra or geometry directly to:
The New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
Division of Professional Licensing Services
Ophthalmic Dispensing Unit
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234-1000.
Completion of general or business math will not meet this requirement.
NOTE: The Office of the Professions will not accept a high school transcript if it is submitted by the applicant.
Form 5CS - Certification of Supervisor for Limited Permit
This form is not for all applicants. Use this form ONLY if you are applying/have applied for a New York State Limited Permit as an Ophthalmic Dispenser or Contact Lens Dispenser online.
- Section I: Complete this section.
- Section II: Your supervisor must complete this section before you can submit it to the Office of the Professions at the appropriate address at the end of the form. It is your responsibility to ensure your supervisor fully completes Section II. Failure to complete this form will delay its review.
Online Form 5 - Application for a Limited Permit for Contact Lens Dispensing
All applicants for a limited permit must initially submit Form 5 along with the $35 limited permit fee. You must also submit a Form 5CS - Certification of Supervisor for Limited Permit along with your application.
Continuing Your Application If you have started an application within the past 30 days, and have not yet completed it, you can use this link to continue your application. You will need your Application ID and Date of Birth.
Upload Additional Documentation
If you have already completed an application, but you have additional documents or files to include in your previous submission, use this link to upload additional documentation. You will need your Application ID and Date of Birth.
Changes to Supervisors and/or Settings
If you change supervisors and/or settings, or you have to add or remove a supervisor or setting, after a permit is issued, you must obtain an amended permit using the Limited Permit Change Form. After changes are processed you will receive an amended permit. A fee is not required for an amended permit issued as a result of a change in supervisor or setting. You must also submit a Form 5CS - Certification of Supervisor for Limited Permit for each new supervisor you are adding (see Upload Additional Documentation above).