CT SB00329

Personalized optical glasses, contact lenses, and vision-aid instruments may only be sold at retail under the supervision of a licensed optician in a registered optical establishment, effective October 1, 2022.

Registered optical establishments may remain open without a licensed optician on-site for a reasonable period during unanticipated circumstances (illness, injury, family emergency, termination) if reasonable action is taken to hire another optician and clear signage is posted indicating no optician is present.

Optical establishments may conduct non-optical business in the absence of a licensed optician if requirements for remaining open are satisfied.

Licensed opticians and optical departments must obtain an optical selling permit from the Department of Public Health, costing $315, valid for one year and expiring September 1 annually.

Optical departments displaying optical products for online purchase must obtain an optical selling permit; educational programs at regionally accredited institutions are exempt from permit requirements.