Dispensing Opticians The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing staffs the Dispensing Optician program. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development adopts regulations to carry out laws governing the practice of dispensing opticians in Alaska. It makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary actions against people who violate licensing laws. Customer Contact Form Do you have questions about your professional license? Please fill out our Customer Contact Form for the fastest response. Online Applications for Licensure Now available for the following: Dispensing Optician by Examination Dispensing Optician by Credentials Dispensing Optician Apprentice Click Here to Apply Online Online applications are filed through your MyAlaska account. Filing via the MyAlaska account allows for email notifications about your application status. Please review the instructions for filing an Initial Application online via MY LICENSE. Paper Applications for Licensure Dispensing Optician by Examination #08-4955, New 01/14/2025 Dispensing Optician by Credentials #08-4956, New 01/14/2025 Dispensing Optician Apprentice#08-4002, Revised 07/27/2023 Supervisor's Statement of Responsibility #08-4754, Revised 07/27/2023 Dispensing Optician Endorsement Addition/Change #08-4957, New 01/14/2025 Renewal Applications Renewal applications will be available no later than May 30, 2025, in accordance with AS 08.01.050. Note: You must wait for an updated renewal application to renew your license. You cannot renew your license using any prior renewal forms. If you need to renew your license for the current licensing period (expired on 6/30/2023), email DispensingOpticians@Alaska.Gov to request the appropriate form. To ensure receipt of renewal notifications and other correspondence from our office, please go to MY LICENSE and confirm your current mailing address is on file. Statutes and Regulations Alaska Statutes are passed by the Legislature. Regulations (also called the Alaska Administrative Code) are rules adopted by the board to implement, interpret, and make specific the statutes. Both statutes and regulations have the force of law. AS 08.71 and regulations 12 AAC 30 specifically govern dispensing optician practice. AS 08.01 - 08.03 and regulations 12 AAC 02 apply to all professions regulated by the division. Dispensing Optician Statutes and Regulations AS 08.71 and 12 AAC 30. Centralized Licensing Statutes AS 08.01-08.03. Applies to all professions. Centralized Licensing Regulations 12 AAC 02. Fees, name and address changes, examinations review, general provisions. Applies to all professions. Proposed regulations are advertised in Alaska newspapers and we invite public comment on them. If you would like to receive notice of all proposed regulation changes for your program, please send a request in writing with your name, preferred contact method (mail or email), and the program you want to be updated on to: Regulations Specialist Email: RegulationsAndPublicComment@Alaska.Gov Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing PO Box 110806 Juneau, Alaska 99811-0806 Education Options for Dispensing Optician Licensure To qualify for a dispensing optician license under AS 08.71.110(b), the Alaska Dispensing Optician Program accepts associate-level education from a recognized school or college of opticianry in lieu of training otherwise required under an apprentice registration. A recognized school or college of opticianry includes programs accepted by: The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Click here for a list of recognized schools. Information Regarding Examinations and Courses Required to Apply by Examination Spectacles To qualify for a dispensing optician license to dispense spectacles, you must complete the National Opticianry Competency Examination (NOCE) through the American Board of Opticianry (ABO). For more information visit: abo-ncle.org To qualify for a dispensing optician license to dispense spectacles, you must also complete the Ophthalmic Career Progression Program (OCPP) offered by the National Academy of Opticianry. You may also complete the Optician Development Program through the Opitical Training Institute for spectacles. The department has determined this course to be equivalent to the OCPP. For more information visit: nao.org and opticaltraining.com Contact Lenses To qualify for a dispensing optician license to dispense contact lenses, you must complete the Contact Lens Registry Examination (CLRE) through the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). For more information visit: abo-ncle.org To qualify for a dispensing optician license to dispense contact lenses, you must also complete the Contact Lens Manual: Volume 1 Study and Reference Guide provided by the Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA). For more information visit: www.clsa.info Contact Information Phone: (907) 465-2550 Email: DispensingOpticians@Alaska.Gov PO Box 110806 Juneau, AK 99811-0806